GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Paulussen Advocaten NV, attorneys at law at Maastricht.

1. Paulussen Advocaten NV is a public limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as Paulussen Advocaten NV) with the objective to practice the legal profession, in which capacity Paulussen Advocaten NV may be assisted by persons who are employed by it to undertake specific commissions.

2. These General Terms and Conditions apply to all commissions – supplementary commissions, modified commissions and subsequent commissions included -, granted to Paulussen Advocaten NV, except where it shall be otherwise determined in writing by the establishment of said commission. All the stipulations in these General Terms and Conditions have been drawn up for the benefit of the shareholders of Paulussen Advocaten NV, its management past en present and all those who work for and/or are in the service of the partnership. These General Terms and Conditions are also stipulated for the benefit of all third persons who are employed for the purpose of carrying out any commission on behalf of a client.

3. Each commission is deemed, to the exclusion of the provisions according to articles 7:404 and 7:407 paragraph 2 BW (i.e. the Dutch Civil Code), to be exclusively granted and to be accepted by Paulussen Advocaten NV even where it is expressly and tacitly intended that the commission will be carried out by a particular person. The place of business is Maastricht.

4. Where it is deemed necessary to employ a third person for a service, the client will be consulted insofar as possible. Due care shall be exercised in the employment of third parties. Paulussen Advocaten NV is authorized to accept limited liability on behalf of their client. Paulussen Advocaten NV is not liable for the shortcomings of these third parties.

5. Any liability of Paulussen Advocaten NV is limited to the sum for which the case in question is covered by the professional liability insurance carried by Paulussen Advocaten NV pursuant to the regulation of professional liability as determined by the Dutch Order of Advocates – including the policy excess carried by Paulussen Advocaten NV related to that insurance. In the event and for whichever reason the liability insurance does not cover the liability, Paulussen Advocaten NV will only be liable for twice the fees charged to the case in question for the particular calendar year.

6. The commissions granted shall be carried out exclusively on behalf of the client. Third parties may derive no rights from the activities carried out.

7. The client shall owe a fee to Paulussen Advocated NV, multiplied by expenses, office costs and VAT. The place of payment is Maastricht. As per the first day of each calendar year, the hourly rate will increase in accordance with the percentage of the CPI-index (households). Where the execution of activities extends over a period longer than one month, billing for services rendered up to date, may occur in monthly intervals. Paulussen Advocaten NV is entitled to ask for an advance payment from the client. Payment terms are within 30 days following the date of the invoice. Where this term is exceeded the client is legally in default and interest for the delay is owed at the applicable statutory rate of interest. In the event Paulussen Advocaten NV has take measures for collection proceedings against a client who is in default, the costs for the extrajudicial collection, will be a minimum of 15% of the principal sum increased by advances, and will be for the account of the client.

8. Paulussen Advocaten NV has an internal system for regulating disputes with clients and participates in accordance with the guidelines of the Advocacy Complaints and Disputes System. All disputes that arise in the engagement and/or the execution of our services, including all disputes on billing, shall be resolved pursuant to the Advocacy Complaints and Disputes System. These regulations provide for arbitration, on the understanding that binding advice can be sought for a decision in particular cases. Where required, Paulussen Advocaten NV will provide the necessary information to the client.

9. The legal relationship between the client and Paulussen Advocaten NV is governed by Dutch Law. Any disputes will be exclusively determined by the competent Court Limburg in Maastricht, subject to the provisions under 8.

10. These General Terms and Conditions are also stipulated for use by all persons who are employed for the fulfilment of any commission.

These General Terms and Conditions are filed with the Registry of the Limburg Court in Maastricht.