About Bond Stone · Client Engagement
How We Work With Clients
Bond Stone is an internationally ranked law firm in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This page explains how an inquiry becomes an instruction, how we structure engagements, and what clients can expect throughout a matter.
IFLR1000
AIFC Registered Legal Adviser
Our engagement model is designed for international investors and multinational corporations who need commercially focused legal advice in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the AIFC — not generic process.
Every Bond Stone engagement is partner-led from the first call through delivery. There are no handoffs to junior associates on substantive matters.
Engagement Process
Initial Inquiry — Confidentiality from First Contact
All communications with Bond Stone are treated as confidential from the moment of first contact — whether by email, website inquiry, referral, or direct introduction. No obligation arises on either side from an initial inquiry. Clients are not required to share confidential information at the inquiry stage; a brief description of the jurisdiction and nature of the matter is sufficient to assess fit and identify the right team.
Response Commitment
Bond Stone responds to all substantive inquiries within one business day. For time-critical matters, we are reachable by WhatsApp at +7 701 729 7672. We do not offer free consultations — but we do not charge for an initial assessment of whether we can assist.
Conflict Check
Before accepting any instruction, Bond Stone conducts an internal conflict of interest check against its existing and former client base. This is a standard requirement of professional practice and protects both prospective and existing clients.
Timeline
Conflict checks are conducted promptly — typically within 24 hours of receiving sufficient identifying information about the counterparties. Where a conflict is identified, we advise the prospective client immediately and, where appropriate, suggest alternative counsel.
KYC & Client Onboarding
Bond Stone is subject to AML/CFT compliance obligations as a regulated professional services organisation. Before commencing substantive work, we conduct Know Your Client (KYC) verification — identifying the client entity, its beneficial owners, and the source of funds where relevant.
Standard KYC documentation for a corporate client includes: certificate of incorporation or state registration; extract from the state register (current, not older than 3 months); constitutional documents; identification documents of directors and beneficial owners holding 10% or more; and confirmation of the legal authority of the instructing individual.
Data Protection
KYC documents are handled in strict compliance with the Law on Personal Data No. 94-V (Kazakhstan). Physical copies of identity documents are not retained — consistent with the 2024 amendments to Kazakhstan’s Personal Data Law.
Standing Policy
Document Transmission Protocol
Bond Stone transmits all formal legal documents — engagement letters, cooperation agreements, executed contracts, and privileged correspondence — exclusively to verified institutional email addresses. We do not route legal documents or privileged communications to personal email accounts, including Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or similar personal domain addresses.
Before We Transmit
Bond Stone will request confirmation of the recipient’s official firm or corporate email address. This applies to clients, counterparties, and partner firms alike.
Non-Compliance
Where a contact cannot provide a verified institutional address, Bond Stone will request that document exchange be arranged through official firm or corporate communication channels.
This requirement forms part of Bond Stone’s standard document integrity and KYC procedures. It ensures the authenticity of all electronic communications, supports valid electronic execution under applicable law — including the Acting Law of the Astana International Financial Centre — and protects the attorney-client privilege attaching to all substantive correspondence.
Personal Data Notice & Privilege Protection
Before substantive legal advice is provided, Bond Stone issues a Personal Data Notice (PDN) — a signed document that formally establishes the terms on which client data is processed, and that triggers attorney-client privilege protection for all subsequent communications.
The PDN is issued and signed personally by the supervising partner as AIFC Registered Legal Adviser. It is sent to the client as a signed PDF for counter-signature and return.
Important
Privilege protection operates from the moment of delivery — a deemed-receipt mechanism applies where the client receives the PDN but does not return a counter-signed copy. All subsequent substantive communications are marked “PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL.”
Scope Definition & Legal Strategy
Once the conflict check is clear and KYC is in progress, Bond Stone works with the client to define the scope — the specific legal services to be provided, the jurisdictions engaged (Kazakhstan, AIFC, Uzbekistan, or cross-border), the applicable legal framework, and the commercial and legal objectives.
Dual Capability
Where Bond Stone holds AIFC RLA status — covering advice on AIFC law and English common law — this is deployed as part of the mandate where it adds value: structuring investments through AIFC entities, advising on AIFC Court jurisdiction clauses, or applying AIFC Contract Regulations to a cross-border transaction.
For complex matters, Bond Stone prepares a written scope summary before the engagement letter is issued, ensuring the client has a clear understanding of what is included, what is excluded, and what assumptions underlie the fee estimate.
Engagement Letter & Fee Structure
No substantive legal work begins until an Engagement Letter is signed by both parties. The Engagement Letter sets out scope, fee structure, payment terms, confidentiality provisions, data protection obligations, limitation of liability, and governing law — which for international, AIFC-adjacent, cross-border, and fintech matters is the Acting Law of the Astana International Financial Centre.
Bond Stone offers three fee structures. All fees are presented as open to discussion — Bond Stone does not apply a rigid rate card.
Fixed Fee
A fixed fee agreed in advance for a defined scope. Preferred for transactional matters with a clear deliverable — company formation, due diligence, contract drafting, regulatory filings. Typically structured as a percentage upfront with the balance on delivery.
Monthly Retainer
A fixed monthly fee providing a defined number of partner hours and agreed response-time commitments. Preferred for ongoing advisory relationships requiring a dedicated senior adviser on call. Billed monthly in advance and reviewed quarterly.
Time-billed (Arrears)
Billing based on time recorded, invoiced monthly in arrears. Preferred for matters where scope is difficult to define in advance — complex litigation, multi-phase transactions, or regulatory proceedings with uncertain timelines.
Legal Execution
Once the Engagement Letter is signed and any required upfront payment received, Bond Stone proceeds with execution of the agreed scope. Every matter is overseen by a designated partner accountable for quality and delivery. Associates support partners on specific tasks — document production, local filings, notarisation coordination — but substantive legal analysis, advice, and client communication remain at partner level.
For multi-jurisdictional matters — for example, a Kazakhstan acquisition with an AIFC holding structure and an Uzbekistan operating subsidiary — Bond Stone coordinates across its offices as part of a single mandate. Where specialist external counsel is required, we identify and brief appropriate local counsel and maintain coordination responsibility.
Communication Standards
Bond Stone operates across Almaty, Astana, Tashkent, Bishkek, Kyiv, and Chicago — responsive across time zones. Substantive client queries receive a response within one business day as a minimum standard; urgent matters are addressed the same day.
Standard
All substantive communications are marked “PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL” and sent from the matter partner’s direct email address. Clients are not left waiting for answers.
Completion & Deliverables
On completion, Bond Stone delivers all agreed work product in a clear, usable format — executed documents, legal opinions, due diligence reports, regulatory filings, or closing summaries as applicable. For transactional matters, Bond Stone prepares a closing checklist confirming all deliverables and their status.
Post-Engagement Advisory
Many clients continue working with Bond Stone after completion of an initial matter — on a retainer basis or through subsequent transactional instructions. Bond Stone provides post-engagement support including ongoing regulatory compliance advisory, contract updates and renewals, annual corporate maintenance, and legal input for subsequent transactions.
Bond Stone’s goal is a long-term professional relationship — not a one-off transaction.
Legal Position
Implied Fee Protection
Bond Stone applies common law principles in all professional engagements, including as codified under the Acting Law of the Astana International Financial Centre. Any legal services rendered by Bond Stone at a client’s request — whether or not a formal Engagement Letter has been executed — may give rise to a reasonable fee obligation under common law quantum meruit and the AIFC Implied Terms in Contracts and Unfair Terms Regulations 2017.
Clients who request substantive services before an Engagement Letter is signed acknowledge that a fee obligation may arise for services rendered. This is not a punitive provision — it is a statement of the applicable legal position under AIFC law, which Bond Stone’s AIFC RLA status gives it the standing to invoke.
Engagement at a Glance
Bond Stone · Process Summary
Start an Engagement
To initiate an inquiry or discuss how Bond Stone can assist with your Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, or AIFC legal matter, contact us directly. All initial communications are confidential.