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Appendix E-7A: Guidelines on Professional Costs

A) Presbyteries need to be very clear as to whether there is authority from Presbytery itself or from General Assembly to meet any professional costs to be incurred before they are incurred.

B) In consulting any professional legal advice the Presbytery should in so far as it is practicable:

a) Obtain an estimate of fees;

b) Give an adequate description of the tasks to be carried out by the legal advisor;

c) Monitor the extent of the advice being given.

C) The Presbytery must be clear as to who has responsibility for the giving of instructions to and the monitoring of any professional advisor. It is suggested that there be one officer of the Presbytery so appointed.

D) In any case where there are issues concerning the basis on which a professional advisor is employed, advice may be taken from the Convener of the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group.

E) It may be helpful for the Presbyteries to note that the account from a lawyer, if considered unreasonable, may be reviewed by a Costs Revision Committee of the Law Society, before it is paid.