1. Scope

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern the use of all legal services and offerings provided by Steinwalt Legal Group (“Steinwalt”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). This includes all services rendered through our website, by email, phone, in person, or via any digital platform related to our law firm.

By accessing our website or engaging with Steinwalt in any form—whether by submitting an inquiry, booking a consultation, or formally engaging our legal services—you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms in full.

These Terms apply to all clients, including private individuals, businesses, freelancers, partnerships, and corporate entities. Specific contractual agreements or mandates between Steinwalt and the client may override these Terms in individual cases, but only if explicitly agreed upon in writing.

Steinwalt reserves the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Any changes will be published on our website with an indication of the last revision date. Continued use of our services after such updates constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Legal Services

Steinwalt Legal Group is a law firm specialized in legal matters concerning unpaid invoices, contract enforcement, commercial claims, terms & conditions, and related fields of German commercial law. Our services are tailored for businesses and professionals seeking to secure financial claims or enforce contractual rights in a lawful and efficient manner.

Our legal services include, but are not limited to:

• Legal assessment of unpaid invoices and claims

• Drafting and sending formal payment demands under German law

• Out-of-court negotiation with debtors and their representatives

• Filing of enforcement orders (Mahnbescheid) and lawsuits in German courts

• Drafting and review of general terms & conditions (AGB)

• Legal representation in commercial disputes

• Recovery of cross-border claims in cooperation with trusted international legal partners

• Consultation on legally securing business transactions to avoid payment defaults

All services are delivered by licensed attorneys admitted to practice under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. Steinwalt operates in compliance with the Federal Lawyers’ Act (BRAO), the German Professional Code of Conduct for Lawyers (BORA), and the German Lawyers’ Compensation Act (RVG).

The precise scope, duration, and nature of the legal service rendered will be determined individually through a written agreement or formal engagement letter. Legal advice provided without a formal mandate does not constitute a full legal service and cannot be treated as such.

We reserve the right to decline a case or engagement if a conflict of interest exists, if the matter falls outside of our practice areas, or if legal or ethical obligations prevent us from acting.

3. Client Relationship

A legally binding attorney-client relationship between you and Steinwalt Legal Group is established only once we explicitly accept your mandate in writing or you sign a formal engagement agreement (Mandatsvereinbarung). Merely submitting a contact form, sending an inquiry via email, or speaking with us during a consultation does not constitute a legal representation agreement or initiate an official client relationship.

We reserve the right to review the details of your case before confirming engagement. Until such confirmation is made, all communication should be considered preliminary and non-binding. This includes initial consultations, legal evaluations, or cost estimates.

Once a formal agreement is in place, Steinwalt undertakes to provide legal services in accordance with the agreed scope, professional standards, and applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. We act independently, free from conflicts of interest, and in the best interest of our clients within the bounds of the law.

Clients are responsible for:

• Providing accurate and complete information and documents

• Informing us promptly of any changes to case-relevant facts

• Reviewing and approving draft documents, submissions, or agreements when requested

• Meeting agreed deadlines for payments or documentation

We may terminate the engagement if the client provides false information, fails to cooperate, or breaches the agreed terms. The client may also terminate the agreement in writing at any time, subject to compensation for services already rendered up to that point.

All communication between Steinwalt and the client is confidential and protected under attorney-client privilege in accordance with German law.

4. Fees and Billing

The fees for legal services provided by Steinwalt Legal Group are calculated based on one of the following models, depending on the nature of the case and the agreement made with the client:

a) Statutory Fees (RVG)

For standard legal services, our billing may follow the German Lawyers’ Compensation Act (Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz – RVG). This model defines fee scales based on the value of the claim (Streitwert) and the specific legal action taken.

b) Fixed Fee Agreement

In some cases—especially for clearly defined services such as contract drafting or initial debt collection—we may agree upon a fixed fee in advance. This ensures transparency and predictability for the client.

c) Hourly Billing

For ongoing advisory work or more complex commercial matters, Steinwalt may offer billing based on hourly rates, agreed upon in writing before work begins. The client receives a detailed breakdown of all hours worked and services rendered.

d) Success-Based Fee (Conditional)

In exceptional cases, particularly in invoice recovery and claims enforcement, we may agree to a success-based fee (Erfolgshonorar), where part of our compensation depends on the successful recovery of the debt. This is only permitted under strict legal conditions (§ 4a RVG) and must be confirmed in writing.

Invoicing and Payment Terms:

• All fees are subject to applicable VAT (Mehrwertsteuer) where required.

• Invoices are issued digitally unless otherwise requested.

• Payment is due within 14 days of invoice date unless a different arrangement is made.

• In the event of late payment, statutory default interest and collection costs may be charged.

Cost Estimates:
While we provide estimates based on experience and available information, they are non-binding unless explicitly stated otherwise in a written agreement.

Legal Expenses Insurance:
If you hold legal expenses insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung), please inform us at the outset. We are happy to coordinate coverage verification and communicate directly with your insurer.

5. Limitation of Liability

Steinwalt Legal Group shall be liable for damages arising from the provision of legal services only under the following conditions:

a) Intent and Gross Negligence

We are fully liable for damages caused intentionally or by gross negligence on the part of our attorneys or legal staff. This includes all core legal duties and fiduciary responsibilities as defined under German law.

b) Simple Negligence – Cardinal Obligations

For damages caused by simple negligence, Steinwalt’s liability is limited to cases where essential contractual obligations (“Kardinalpflichten”) have been breached. In such cases, liability is restricted to foreseeable and typical damages, based on the nature and value of the mandate.

c) Exclusion of Liability

We expressly exclude liability for:

• Minor errors or delays caused by incorrect or incomplete client-provided information

• External content or legal outcomes that are influenced by third-party decisions (e.g. court rulings, debtor actions)

• Loss of profits, indirect or consequential damages, unless caused intentionally or through gross negligence

Maximum Liability Cap
Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, liability for financial losses is capped in accordance with § 51a of the Federal Lawyers’ Act (BRAO) at EUR 1 million per claim. Higher coverage may be arranged in special cases upon written request and confirmation.

No Guarantee of Outcome
Legal representation does not imply a guarantee of success. While we act with professional diligence and strategic expertise, outcomes in legal disputes, negotiations, and court proceedings depend on a variety of factors, many of which lie beyond our control.

Third-Party Links and Resources
Our website may contain links to external sites. Steinwalt assumes no responsibility for the content or reliability of any external resources and does not endorse the views expressed therein.

6. Confidentiality and Data Protection

At Steinwalt Legal Group, the protection of your data and the confidentiality of all communications are among our highest priorities. As a law firm operating under German and EU legal frameworks, we adhere strictly to the following regulations:

• German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG)

• EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• Professional confidentiality obligations under the Federal Lawyers’ Act (BRAO) and the Professional Code for Attorneys (BORA)

a) Attorney–Client Confidentiality

All information shared with Steinwalt in the context of legal advice or representation is protected by attorney–client privilege under § 43a BRAO and § 203 StGB (German Criminal Code). This includes personal data, case-related facts, documents, contracts, and any verbal or written communication. We are legally prohibited from disclosing such information to third parties without your explicit permission, unless required by law.

b) Data Collection and Use

We collect and process only the data necessary to:

• Assess and manage your case

• Fulfill our contractual obligations

• Comply with legal and professional duties

This may include your name, address, contact details, invoice and payment records, client communications, and legal documentation. Data will only be used for the purpose it was collected and never sold or shared without legal basis or client consent.

c) Data Security

All client data is stored securely using encrypted systems and protected against unauthorized access. We take technical and organizational measures to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of all data we manage.

d) Data Sharing with Third Parties

Data may be shared with courts, opposing parties, legal insurance providers, or expert consultants only if required for your case and strictly within legal limits. All third-party partners are bound by confidentiality agreements and data protection obligations.

e) Data Retention

Legal records are stored in accordance with statutory retention periods, typically six years for legal correspondence and ten years for financial documentation (§§ 50 BRAO, 147 AO, 257 HGB). After these periods, data is securely deleted unless longer retention is legally required.

f) Your Rights

As a data subject, you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data

• Request correction or deletion

• Object to processing or request restriction

• File a complaint with a supervisory authority (e.g. Landesdatenschutzbeauftragter)

For detailed information, please refer to our Privacy Policy or contact us directly.

7. Intellectual Property

All content published on the website of Steinwalt Legal Group—including but not limited to text, images, legal articles, graphics, icons, documents, layout structures, and branding elements—is protected under applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and international treaties.

a) Ownership

Unless otherwise indicated, all intellectual property rights are owned exclusively by Steinwalt or licensed to us for use. This includes:

• Legal texts and explanations

• Downloadable materials and legal templates

• Logo, typography, and visual design

• Case studies, guides, and newsletters

• Website structure and user interface

The use of our materials does not transfer any intellectual property rights to the user.

b) Permitted Use

You may view, download, and print pages from our website solely for your own non-commercial and lawful use, such as reviewing our legal services or preparing a legal engagement. Any copying, reproduction, modification, or redistribution of the content for commercial or public purposes is strictly prohibited without our express written consent.

c) Prohibited Use

You may not:

• Copy or distribute our content in any medium or platform

• Modify any text, legal disclaimer, or layout elements

• Use our name, logo, or documents to promote third-party services

• Create derivative works based on our legal templates or written content

• Extract data or reuse structures for competing legal services

Any misuse will be pursued under applicable civil and criminal law.

d) Infringement Reporting

If you believe that content on this website infringes on your intellectual property rights, please contact us immediately at [insert email] with full supporting documentation. We will investigate and take appropriate action, including removal of disputed material where justified.

8. Jurisdiction and Governing Law

All legal relationships between Steinwalt Legal Group and its clients, as well as any users of this website, are governed exclusively by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. This includes, without limitation, contractual obligations, interpretation of legal terms, claims for damages, and enforcement rights.

a) Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions, and any agreements based on them, shall be interpreted in accordance with German law, to the exclusion of any conflict-of-law rules or international treaties that would apply a different legal system.

The application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) is expressly excluded.

b) Place of Jurisdiction

Unless otherwise required by mandatory legal provisions, the exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from or related to the contractual relationship—including legal proceedings for unpaid fees, disputes over legal interpretation, and liability claims—is:

Frankfurt am Main, Germany

This applies to business clients, legal entities, and individuals who do not have a general place of jurisdiction within Germany, or who move their residence abroad after the contract is formed.

c) Language of Proceedings

The official language of legal communication and proceedings shall be German, unless explicitly agreed otherwise in individual cases.

9. Amendments

Steinwalt Legal Group reserves the right to update, modify, or amend these Terms & Conditions at any time, in order to reflect changes in legal requirements, our services, or operational processes. Such updates may be necessary due to:

• New legislation or regulatory changes

• Adjustments in our fee structures or service offerings

• Technical improvements to our website or client processes

• Clarifications or updates to improve transparency

a) Notification of Changes

All amendments will be published on our website, along with the date of the most recent update at the top of the document. You are responsible for reviewing these Terms periodically to stay informed of any changes.

If you have an ongoing mandate with us, we will inform you directly of any material changes that affect your contractual rights.

b) Continued Use

By continuing to use our website or services after changes to the Terms have been posted, you accept the revised version as legally binding. If you disagree with the amended Terms, you are entitled to terminate the client relationship in accordance with Section 3.