Lawyers

Participation in the AIPP Legal Working Group is encouraged amongst Legal Members of the AIPP but is not mandatory. Only AIPP members are able to join the Legal Working Group.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of AIPP, please email enquiries@aipp.org.uk

The purpose of the AIPP Legal Working Group is to act as a complimentary focal point for buyers and owners of a foreign property.

Provision of free advice is not intended to be a substitute for consumers to potentially, later, fully engage AIPP legal members to provide comprehensive advice on a case.

AIPP wishes to increase consumer awareness of appropriate legal matters attached to successfully buying and owning a foreign property – ‘Buy right, own well’.

AIPP legal members regularly contribute articles to our partner site, the Alliance of International Property Owners, raising the profile of your company with the 800,000+ British owners and 20,000+ annual buyers of a foreign property.

Legal Working Group members should be prepared to give or facilitate advice in two key areas;

Purchase of property

The advice to be given is up to an hour spent educating and informing the consumer as to how the process of buying a property in that country works at a general level (i.e. not specific to their particular circumstances). It is the Legal Member’s responsibility to ensure the consumer understands the hour consult is not a replacement for engaging full independent legal advice for their purchase.

If the consumer requires any specific advice relating to a purchase over and above the education and information given, then it will be up to the Legal Member to decide at which point they will stop providing Pro-Bono work. There is no requirement for Legal Members of the Legal Working Group to provide any advice over and above the initial hour consultation.

Problems with existing property

This can include:

• A review of the brief provided by the consumer relating to the legal matter in hand
• Appointed review of the copy of the documents and the correspondence between the relevant parties which should not exceed 50 pages and which may include the promotional material, contract and the relevant correspondence in relation to the legal matter.
• Up to one hour discussion with the consumer to gather further information and to discuss the matter with them.
• Provide a legal opinion in writing as to the situation, the possible options going forward and potential costs of proceeding with each option.
• If the Legal Member wishes, they can take on the case going forward at no cost on a completely Pro Bono basis but there is no requirement to do so.

Upon receipt of a consumer enquiry, AIPP administrative staff will ensure that the terms of engagement are clearly articulated and understood by the consumer before the facility is used. They will then allocate the case to the Legal Member who has expertise for the relevant jurisdiction, on a rota basis. NB. Legal Members will be asked, at the outset, whether they have a conflict of interest in that particular case.

Apply to join the Legal Working Group by emailing: enquiries@aipp.org.uk

AIPP is an information provider but, where appropriate, also facilitates assistance to the public when needed. AIPP does not provide any legal advice itself – we are not trained or regulated to do so. We have voluntarily agreed to setup and administer this scheme to be delivered by professional legal experts for the benefit of British residents and property professionals. AIPP does not receive any direct payment for providing this service, save for our members who voluntarily pay to be members of AIPP. AIPP is funded solely by its members, we receive no funding from government or any government agency. This service may be withdrawn at any time without notice.