Definitions
Throughout these Terms and Conditions, the following words carry the meanings given below:
- "Agreement" — these Terms and Conditions together with any engagement letter, fee agreement, or written instruction exchanged between the parties.
- "Client" or "You" — the individual or legal entity who engages Baan Advocate for legal assistance.
- "Practice", "We", or "Us" — Baan Advocate, a legal practice registered and operating in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
- "Services" — the family law services described on our website, including contested divorce proceedings, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and the recognition of foreign marriages and divorces.
- "Content" — all documents, correspondence, legal opinions, and written materials produced by the Practice in the course of a matter.
Acceptance of Terms
By submitting an enquiry through our website, signing an engagement letter, or instructing us to proceed with a matter, you confirm that you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions and agree to be bound by them.
You confirm that you are at least eighteen (18) years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement. Where you act on behalf of another person, you represent that you have the authority to do so.
If you do not agree to any part of these Terms, we ask that you contact us before proceeding so that any concerns can be addressed.
Service Description
Baan Advocate offers family law services to clients in Thailand and to cross-border clients with matters arising under Thai law. Our core services are:
Contested Divorce Proceedings
Representation for spouses where property, business interests, or arrangements concerning children remain in dispute. We attend hearings on your behalf where preferred.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Drafting and reviewing agreements that address property and financial arrangements before or during marriage, reflecting the settled wishes of both parties.
Recognition of Foreign Marriage and Divorce
Document translation, authentication, and applications before the relevant Thai authorities for clients whose marriage or divorce was registered abroad.
The scope of work for any individual matter will be agreed in writing at the outset. Services are available to clients in Thailand. Cross-border engagements are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Client Responsibilities
A successful outcome depends in part on the cooperation and candour of the client. By engaging Baan Advocate, you undertake to:
- Provide accurate, complete, and timely information relevant to your matter.
- Promptly supply documents, translations, or supporting evidence when requested.
- Notify us of any changes in your circumstances, contact details, or instructions.
- Not instruct us in any manner that would require us to act unlawfully or contrary to our professional obligations.
- Treat all members of the practice with dignity and respect.
- Settle invoices within the timeframe agreed in your engagement letter.
We reserve the right to pause or conclude a matter if information withheld or circumstances undisclosed make it impractical or professionally inappropriate to continue.
Intellectual Property
All materials produced by Baan Advocate in the course of your matter — including drafted agreements, legal opinions, correspondence templates, and procedural documents — are prepared for your use in the context of that specific matter. They may not be reproduced, adapted, or shared with third parties without our prior written consent.
The content of our website, including design, text, and structure, remains the property of Baan Advocate. You are welcome to read and reference it, but not to reproduce it in whole or in part for commercial purposes.
Where materials you provide to us contain intellectual property belonging to you, you grant us a limited licence to use those materials solely for the purposes of your matter.
Fees and Payment
Our published service fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Contested Divorce Proceedings | ฿20,800 |
| Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements | ฿13,500 |
| Recognition of Foreign Marriage and Divorce | ฿5,800 |
Fees quoted are for the standard scope of each service. Where a matter requires work outside the agreed scope — including additional hearings, contested amendments, or complexity arising after the engagement begins — we will discuss any adjustment with you before proceeding.
Payment terms are set out in the engagement letter. An initial retainer may be required before work commences. All fees are quoted in Thai Baht. Payments should be made by bank transfer or such other method as agreed.
Disbursements incurred on your behalf — such as court filing fees, official translation charges, and document authentication costs — are charged separately at cost and will be itemised on invoices.
Confidentiality
We understand that family matters are among the most personal that a person may face. All information you share with us is held in strict confidence in accordance with our professional obligations under Thai law and the Lawyers Council of Thailand's professional code.
We will not disclose your information to any third party except where required by law, where necessary to carry out your instructions, or with your express written consent.
Our confidentiality obligations continue after the conclusion of your matter and after any termination of this Agreement.
Disclaimers
Legal outcomes depend on many factors, including the conduct of opposing parties, the exercise of judicial discretion, and the development of facts as a matter progresses. While we will apply professional care and diligence to your matter, we do not represent or warrant that any particular outcome will be achieved.
Information provided on our website is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. You should not rely on website content as a substitute for specific legal counsel tailored to your circumstances.
Our services are provided with reasonable care and skill. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury arising from our negligence, nor for any liability that cannot be excluded under Thai law.
Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by Thai law, our total liability arising from any matter is limited to the fees actually paid to us in connection with that matter.
We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential losses — including loss of opportunity, loss of business, or reputational damage — arising from our Services, except where such loss results from fraud or wilful misconduct.
Neither party is responsible for delays or failures arising from circumstances outside their reasonable control, including court scheduling decisions, delays by government offices, natural events, or changes in law.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Baan Advocate, its lawyers, and staff from any claims, costs, or liabilities arising from your breach of these Terms, your provision of inaccurate or misleading information, or your use of our services in a manner inconsistent with applicable law.
This indemnification does not apply where the claim arises from our own negligence or misconduct.
Termination
Either party may bring the engagement to a close on reasonable written notice, subject to any obligations in the engagement letter. You may withdraw your instructions at any time; fees already earned for work completed remain payable.
We may close a matter and withdraw from your representation if you instruct us to act in a way that conflicts with our professional obligations, if fees remain unpaid after reasonable notice, or if circumstances arise that make it impractical to continue.
On conclusion of any matter, we will provide you with your documents and a final account. Provisions of these Terms that by their nature survive termination — including confidentiality, indemnification, and dispute resolution — remain in effect.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms and any engagement between the parties are governed by the laws of the Kingdom of Thailand. Any disputes arising will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Before initiating formal proceedings, we encourage both parties to attempt to resolve any disagreement through direct communication. Most concerns can be addressed by speaking with us or by writing to [email protected].
We take all concerns seriously and will endeavour to respond within five working days.
General Provisions
Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with any engagement letter issued to you, constitute the complete agreement between the parties with respect to the matter in question.
Severability. If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force.
No Waiver. A failure to exercise a right under these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that right.
Assignment. You may not transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may transfer our obligations to another qualified legal practitioner or firm with reasonable prior notice to you.
Notices. All formal notices should be sent in writing to the address or email listed in the contact section below.
Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, the revised version will be published on our website with an updated "Last Updated" date. Changes take effect from the date of publication unless we communicate a later effective date.
Matters already in progress at the time of a change continue under the version of these Terms that was current when your engagement began, unless you agree to the updated terms in writing.
Contact Information
For questions about these Terms, or to discuss a specific matter, please reach us through any of the following:
Baan Advocate
27/3 Nimmana Haeminda Road Lane 11
Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand