*This policy sets out how we deal with interest on money held by Curae Solicitors Ltd (the firm) for a client. In accordance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, it is the firm’s policy to account to its clients for interest on a fair and reasonable basis for both the client and the firm.

When monies are received on behalf of the client, it will be paid into general client account currently with Barclays Plc. The general client account will hold pooled amounts for different matters for its clients. These are held on an instant access account to facilitate the transaction.

If we hold money in a general client account on your behalf, or if money should have been held on your behalf but was not, then we will account to you for a sum in lieu of interest (gross) calculated as below.

We will not account to you for any interest in the following situations:
if the amount calculated is £20 or less. Below that sum we consider that the administrative costs of dealing with the funds would exceed the interest due;

on money held for the payment of a professional disbursement if the person to whom the money is owed has requested a delay in settlement;

on an advance from us into our general client account to fund a payment on your behalf in excess of funds already held for you in that account;

if there is an agreement to contract out of the provisions of this policy.

We will usually calculate and pay interest once your matter has been concluded unless interim payments are appropriate (for example in long running private client matters).

In calculating interest we will apply a rate that is applied by the current bank providing facilities to the firm at the time.

In determining the period over which interest is to be calculated, we will look at the following: the period between the date when the relevant funds received by us clear our account and, if we send the funds electronically, the date when the funds are sent or, if we send the funds by cheque, five days after a cheque is raised.

Rate used on balances:
The firm’s accounts department will prepare the calculation as instructed by the fee earner.

Interest is paid by Barclays Plc to the firm on the aggregate of all client money held in the general client account and, subject to any interest paid to the client, is for the benefit of the firm. If the bank in which the firm holds funds should fail, the firm reserves the right to disclose to the FSCS the names and other details for clients whose money is held on the general client account in order for the client to claim compensation