Engagement Letter Template for Legal Matters

Record the Client and the Instructions

This engagement letter template records the client’s instructions and the proposed scope of a legal matter. Complete the fields to generate an editable practitioner draft.

Identify the law practice and its contact details, then name the client and the capacity in which they instruct. Record the matter and the instructions in separate fields.

Keep a relative, funder or administrative contact separate from the client. Describe that person’s role and record who supplied the instructions. Enter the basis of any authority to instruct.

If there is no other contact, record that fact. An empty authority field remains unresolved. A person’s name or willingness to pay does not establish authority.

The Queensland Law Society’s client-relations guidance addresses clear advice and lawful, proper and competent instructions. Apply the conduct rules governing your practice and matter.

Define What the Engagement Includes

Describe the tasks the firm will undertake and the work excluded from the proposed engagement. Record each party’s responsibilities and the agreed communication arrangements.

Use the separate fee-document field to identify the applicable costs agreement and disclosure documents by title or reference. The tool supplies no fee clauses or disclosure statement.

Blank fields appear as unresolved items in the letter and the checklist. Enter terms only after obtaining the relevant instructions. The generator preserves your wording without adding promises about outcomes or response times.

The fictional example concerns a company’s disputed account withdrawals. Its scope covers reviewing supplied statements and written advice. Court proceedings and recovery action are excluded.

Loading the example leaves authority and actual acceptance unresolved. The administrative contact supplies records only. Replace the illustration’s particulars before using the letter for a matter.

Review and Export the Letter

Read the editable preview and resolve each missing item before issue. The checklist counts blank fields. Filled text still requires professional review.

Unresolved fields: Firm identity and contact details; Client name and capacity; Other contact and role; Instruction source; Authority to give instructions; Matter description; Client instructions; Included tasks; Excluded tasks; Client responsibilities; Firm responsibilities; Communication arrangements; Separate fee-document references; Proposed acceptance process; Actual acceptance record; Draft version and changes.

Edit the preview directly, then copy it or download an editable text file. Exports use the current edited text, including unresolved items. Changing an input regenerates the preview and replaces direct edits.

When instructions change, save the earlier issued letter and its actual acceptance record in the matter file. Update the scope and version field, then save a separate revised draft.

Compare the revised draft with the earlier instructions and fee documents. Record any further acceptance through the firm’s process. Generating another draft does not update or replace an existing acceptance record.

Entries are processed on your device. This tool does not save a draft for you. Your browser may restore entered text when you use Back. Download the document before closing the page. Clear all removes the entries and restores an incomplete draft.

What This Template Does Not Decide

The template organises the information you enter. The solicitor must assess capacity, client authority and conflicts before acting. A completed field does not establish those matters.

Record the proposed acceptance process separately from evidence of actual acceptance. The letter labels entered acceptance details as requiring verification. Generating, copying or downloading the draft does not accept instructions for the firm.

The Law Council’s conduct-rules overview explains the state and territory framework. This tool does not select the applicable rules or resolve a professional-conduct question.

The Legal Practice Board of Western Australia’s costs guidance explains written disclosure duties and ongoing updates. Referring to a separate document here does not make an incomplete disclosure compliant.

Read the costs agreement guide for the fee-document distinction. The Victorian costs agreement template prepares a separate draft for that jurisdiction.