TimeBinder adds a layer of protection against AI and human fraud and disputes. A firm that resells it to clients takes on a few conduct questions, mostly about fees, explanation and confidentiality.
This guide goes through those questions using primary sources only: the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and Formal Opinion 93-379, the SRA Code of Conduct, the CCBE Code of Conduct for European Lawyers and, for Australia, the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW). Anything we could not verify from its own text is left out.
The arrangement we assume is the resale model: the firm buys TimeBinds at TimeBinder’s published prices, sets its own price for the service, and keeps the difference. This is general information, not ethical or legal advice.
Table of Contents
- Start with the shape of the arrangement
- Fees and expenses: reasonable, and explained
- Disbursement or professional fee? Decide, then say so
- Is it a law-related service?
- Be accurate about what it is
- Confidentiality: what leaves the firm
- A one-page checklist
- How a TimeBind fits, and what it does not show
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources checked
Start with the shape of the arrangement
Several rules target arrangements where a lawyer shares fees or pays for introductions. ABA Model Rule 5.4(a) says “a lawyer or law firm shall not share legal fees with a nonlawyer”, with listed exceptions. CCBE Code articles 3.6.1 and 5.4.1 cover fee sharing and commissions for referring a client, and SRA paragraph 5.1 sets conditions on referral and fee-sharing arrangements.
In the resale model described here, the firm pays a fixed published price for a service it provides to its own clients, sets its own charge and keeps the difference. TimeBinder also offers a separate route: a firm can refer clients and earn a commission under the Partnership Program, on terms published on the affiliate program page (20% of settled transactions). The rules above may bear on it differently: disclosure to the client, any conflict between your interest in a commission and the client’s interests, and referral or fee-sharing provisions. This guide covers resale only; check your regulator before you launch either route.
Fees and expenses: reasonable, and explained
United States. Rule 1.5(a): “A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses.” Rule 1.5(b) requires the scope of the representation and “the basis or rate of the fee and expenses for which the client will be responsible” to be communicated to the client, “preferably in writing”, before or within a reasonable time after the representation starts. Rule 1.4(b) adds that a lawyer “shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation”.
England and Wales. SRA Code of Conduct paragraph 8.6 requires you to give clients information “in a way they can understand”, so they can make informed decisions about the services they need. Paragraph 8.7 requires you to ensure clients receive “the best possible information about how their matter will be priced” and, as the matter progresses, about the likely overall cost and “any costs incurred”. The SRA’s client care letters guidance also points to the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, which require pre-contract information on the service and its overall cost.
Europe. CCBE Code article 3.4: “A fee charged by a lawyer shall be fully disclosed to the client, shall be fair and reasonable, and shall comply with the law and professional rules to which the lawyer is subject.” It applies directly to cross-border activities (article 1.5).
Australia. Under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW), section 172(1) requires costs to be no more than fair and reasonable, and section 174(1)(a) requires disclosure of the basis on which costs will be calculated and an estimate of total costs, and section 174(3) requires reasonable steps to be satisfied the client understood and consented. Other jurisdictions have their own legislation.
Disbursement or professional fee? Decide, then say so
ABA Formal Opinion 93-379 says a lawyer “may not charge a client more than her disbursements for services provided by third parties” except to the extent the lawyer incurs costs additional to the direct cost of the service. It also says a lawyer must disclose “the basis on which the client is to be billed”.
| How the charge is shown | What the client is told | Where any margin sits | Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disbursement at cost | The third-party cost, passed on without a margin | None | Do not add a surcharge without agreement and a basis your rules allow |
| Part of a fixed-fee package | A professional service that includes the dated record | In the professional fee | State what the package includes and the fee |
| Separate line, as a firm charge | A charge for the firm’s service, not a pass-through | In the stated charge | Describe it as the firm’s service, with the basis in the engagement terms |
| Included in a retainer | A set number of dated records each month | Inside the overall fee | Say what happens to unused records |
Use the same description on the engagement letter, invoice and client note. For wording, see engagement letter wording and a client explainer. For the numbers, see how to price a timestamping service.
Is it a law-related service?
ABA Model Rule 5.7(b) defines law-related services as services that “might reasonably be performed in conjunction with and in substance are related to the provision of legal services” and are not unauthorised practice of law when provided by a non-lawyer. Under 5.7(a)(1), the Rules of Professional Conduct apply where such services are provided “in circumstances that are not distinct from the lawyer’s provision of legal services to clients”. A firm that dates a client’s documents as part of a matter will usually be in that position, so treat the service as part of the representation.
Be accurate about what it is
SRA paragraph 1.4 says you do not “mislead or attempt to mislead” clients, and paragraph 8.8 requires publicity about your practice, including your charges, to be “accurate and not misleading”. CCBE article 2.6.1 requires information about services to be “accurate and not misleading”. The plain description is: a TimeBind is a dated, checkable record that an exact file existed no later than a recorded time and still matches its fingerprint. Do not describe it as showing who made or owns a file, or how a court will treat it.
Confidentiality: what leaves the firm
ABA Rule 1.6(c) requires “reasonable efforts to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of, or unauthorized access to” client information. SRA paragraph 6.3 requires you to keep client affairs confidential unless disclosure is required or permitted by law or the client consents, and CCBE article 2.3.2 requires respect for the confidentiality of all information known through professional activity.
With TimeBinder, the fingerprint is made in your browser and the file stays on your device. TimeBinder processes the fingerprint and any reference text you add, so use a matter number rather than a client name. Describe that accurately to the client.
A one-page checklist
- Confirm with your regulator or ethics helpline that the resale arrangement fits your rules.
- Decide how the charge is shown: part of a fee, a separate firm charge, or a disbursement at cost.
- Put the service, the charge and the basis in the engagement terms before you do the work.
- Explain it in plain language, including what it does not show.
- Use matter numbers, not client names, as the reference.
- File the certificate on the matter with a note of who made it and when.
How a TimeBind fits, and what it does not show
The client is buying the firm’s service, so the firm’s duties around fees, explanation and confidentiality apply to it. A TimeBind adds a layer of protection against AI and human fraud and disputes for the file; it does not change those duties.
A TimeBind shows that this exact file existed no later than the recorded time and still matches its fingerprint. TimeBinder makes the fingerprint in your browser and the file stays on your device. It does not show who made the file, who owns it, or that anyone agreed to it. It does not show that the firm has met any professional rule. It complements your engagement terms, your professional rules and legal advice; it does not replace them. This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does reselling a timestamping service breach the rules on fee sharing?
Not necessarily. Rules such as ABA Rule 5.4(a) and CCBE article 3.6.1 are about sharing legal fees with non-lawyers. In the resale model the firm pays a fixed published price and sets its own charge, but you should confirm with your regulator.
Can we mark up the price in an invoice line?
ABA Formal Opinion 93-379 says a lawyer may not charge more than the third-party cost for a disbursement unless additional costs are incurred, so firms that want a margin usually state it as part of a professional fee.
Do we need the client’s consent?
Fee rules require the basis of charges to be communicated, and in Australia section 174(3) requires reasonable steps to confirm the client understands and consents. Setting out the service and charge in the engagement terms is the usual route.
Does a TimeBind show a document is genuine?
No. It shows that this exact file existed no later than the recorded time and still matches its fingerprint.
What does it cost to try?
Your first Pooled TimeBind is free, with no credit card required. After that, Pooled TimeBinds start from US$5, and an ASAP TimeBind is US$15.
Sources checked
Checked on 10 November 2026. We quote only what these documents say and mark where a point depends on your own rules or local law. Anything we could not verify from a primary source is left out.
- ABA Model Rule 1.4: 1.4(b)
- ABA Model Rule 1.5: 1.5(a) and (b)
- ABA Model Rule 1.6: 1.6(c)
- ABA Model Rule 5.4: 5.4(a)
- ABA Model Rule 5.7: 5.7(a) and (b)
- ABA Formal Opinion 93-379: disbursements
- SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs, RFLs and RSLs: paragraphs 1.4, 5.1, 6.3, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8
- SRA client care letters guidance: plain-English cost information
- CCBE Code of Conduct for European Lawyers (2019 edition): articles 1.5, 2.3.2, 2.6.1, 3.4, 3.6.1, 5.4.1
- Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) s 172 and s 174: costs and disclosure
Check your rules, then try one TimeBind
Once you have confirmed the arrangement with your regulator, try one TimeBind on a live matter and see how the service reads on your engagement letter. Your first Pooled TimeBind is free, with no credit card required. After that, Pooled TimeBinds start from US$5, and an ASAP TimeBind is US$15. Prices checked 10 November 2026. See plans and pricing. Open TimeBinder
