To our valued clients
Like you, we are seeking to deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the resultant restrictions on interpersonal contact, in a way that provides appropriate protection to our valued clients and staff. We seek to balance those crucial matters with our desire to continue to provide the services you need. Obviously, because of these somewhat unprecedented events, it has been necessary to change the way in which we conduct our practice. However, we endeavour to limit the effect of those impacts as much as possible.
We are still open
Tim Clarke & Co Lawyers continues to operate, and we are engaging in a range of strategies to allow us to continue to work, notwithstanding that the restrictions we all face. We have also engaged in a range of working from home strategies and social/health distancing strategies inside and outside of work.
Our service to clients remains a priority, together with the confidentiality of client information. You can be assured that anyone working remotely is doing so using secure log-in access and protocols. We have implemented contactless deliveries, limited the amount of people who can enter the office and encouraging clients to use contactless payment options.
All staff are maintaining excellent hygiene and cleanliness of the office, applying physical distancing and having everyone at least 1.5 metres physically apart.
Office appointments
Due to the need for reduced contact between people, as suggested by State and Federal governments, together with the Law Society of South Australia and The Courts Administration Authority, we have moved to conduct all appointments that can be appropriately conducted over the telephone, in that manner.
All appointments, including existing appointments, will be conducted by video conferencing or telephone. We continue to conduct face-to-face appointments, but only in circumstances where face to face of appointments under extraordinary circumstances and are necessary. If a face to face meeting, is required we will take the upmost steps required to ensure the safety of our clients and staff. This will include physical distancing and frequent cleaning of workspaces.
If attending our office is absolutely essential, please use the hand sanitiser provided. Our office will be a ‘hands-free’ environment, and we ask you refrain from handshakes and be vigilant when touching surfaces such as door handles etc.
Please feel free to contact us if you wish to discuss the best way for us to obtain your instructions.
Disinfectant procedures
We have commenced a range of disinfectant procedures in our office and also regular hand washing and the like. All surfaces in our office are regularly disinfected and we have instituted a range of procedures in relation to virus control in an effort to reduce the risk of transmission between people.
Frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, tabletops, light switches, chairs etc are frequently, mechanically cleaned. If you see us wiping a surface just after you have left, please do not take it personally. We are simply seeking to employ strict hygiene policies for your protection and ours.
Courts
If possible, the courts seek to reduce number of people attending and mixing in Court buildings. If an adjournment is appropriate, we are seeking to obtain administrative adjournments by contacting the court in advance, avoiding the need for anybody to travel to court.
The courts are also seeking to reduce number of practitioners in court and, as a result, we are appearing by telephone from time to time. However, the courts are still open and we are still appearing in courts where it is appropriate and necessary.
If you have any questions about a court appearance, please feel free to ring us.
For more information on the South Australian court updates and new procedures, please visit http://www.courts.sa.gov.au/Information/Pages/Coronavirus-Information.aspx
We wish you well
We will do our best to work with you to get through the current upsetting times with a minimum of distress. Clearly, the steps that we’ve had to put in place, and that we all have to follow at this time, are going to be the difficult and will cause stress from time to time.
We would like to reassure you that your safety during this difficult time is our absolute number one priority.
Please feel free to ring us and speak to us if you think we can assist you in any way in relation to your matter, or the procedures that we have put in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your continued support and your patience at this challenging time. Please look after yourselves and each other