PHILIPPINE LEGAL ENGAGEMENT LETTER — DRAFTING TEMPLATE
Prepared October 20, 2026 by DueCounsel.
Starting document only. The handling lawyer must adapt it to the actual
engagement, current law, and professional duties. Remove drafting notes.

Date: [date]
Firm / lawyer: [full name and address]
Client: [full legal name and address]
Authorized instructing person, if applicable: [name and authority]
Matter reference: [reference]

1. ENGAGEMENT AND SCOPE
Following completion of the necessary review, [firm/lawyer] agrees to
provide [specific services] for [client] in relation to [matter].
Included stage or deliverable: [define endpoint].
Excluded work: [appeals, enforcement, separate proceedings, negotiations,
or other work not included, as appropriate].
Additional work requires [agreed approval process], subject to applicable
duties. No outcome is guaranteed.

2. FEES
Fee basis: [hourly / fixed / retainer / other lawful arrangement].
Amount or rates: [complete].
What any acceptance fee or retainer covers: [explain precisely].
When fees are earned and billed: [complete].
Whether amounts include applicable taxes: [complete].
Any variation process: [complete].
All terms remain subject to applicable law and professional duties.

3. EXPENSES
Anticipated expense categories: [complete].
Advance approval required above: [amount / conditions].
Supporting records and accounting process: [complete].
Unspent expense advances: [return or other lawful disposition process].

4. ADVANCES AND CLIENT FUNDS
Purpose and amount of any advance: [complete].
Holding, accounting, and authorized application: [complete consistently
with applicable duties and the actual banking arrangement].
Statement and refund / return process: [complete].
Do not treat money held for a client purpose as earned fees without a
proper basis.

5. INVOICES AND PAYMENT
Billing contact: [complete].
Invoice schedule: [complete].
Payment terms and approved channels: [complete].
Process for questions or disputed charges: [complete].
Applicable withholding documentation: [complete if relevant].

6. COMMUNICATION AND CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary contacts and approved channels: [complete].
Client document and instruction requirements: [complete].
Urgent communication / absence arrangements: [complete].
The client should promptly inform the lawyer of relevant new facts and
changes to contact details.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PERSONAL DATA
Applicable privacy notice or arrangements: [reference].
Authorized sharing and service-provider arrangements: [complete].
Any proposed use of AI or other external processing: [review and complete
as appropriate; do not assume this template grants blanket authorization].

8. ENDING THE ENGAGEMENT
Client termination and lawyer withdrawal arrangements: [complete,
subject to professional duties and court requirements].
Final accounting, client property, file handover, and retention:
[complete].

9. CONFIRMATION
Questions and clarifications recorded: [complete].
The parties confirm the agreed scope and financial arrangements above.

Client / authorized representative: __________________  Date: __________
Lawyer / authorized firm signatory: __________________  Date: __________