The SRI Charter of Good Practice for the Provision of Legal Service to Seafarers
This Charter is a statement of good practice in the provision of legal services to seafarers. It is not a legally binding contract, nor does it in any way interfere with any specific relationship that a lawyer/law firm may have with a seafarer client.
The signatories to this Charter subscribe to the following principles at all times in the provision of legal services to seafarers:
To treat the seafarer fairly, respectfully and without discrimination
To provide the seafarer with the best possible information in easily understandable language so that informed decisions can be made about the available options
To provide the seafarer with the best possible information about the lawyer’s/law firm’s fees and expenses, and about any available third party funding for the matter. Fees and expenses will be fair and reasonable.
To progress the matter diligently and to keep the seafarer informed regularly
To act competently employing the necessary expertise in the law relating to the seafarer’s specific matter
To act in accordance with instructions received from, and arrangements made with, the seafarer
To act for the seafarer free from conflict of interests
To keep the seafarer’s affairs confidential
To review the matter regularly and keep the seafarer informed when it is completed
