Terms & Conditions

Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of Summit Legal's website and legal advisory services. By accessing our website or engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not use our website or services.

Definitions

• "Summit Legal," "we," "us," or "our" refers to Summit Legal and its lawyers
• "Services" means legal advisory services provided by Summit Legal, including tech startup legal support, immigration assistance, and commercial dispute mediation
• "Client" or "you" refers to individuals or entities who engage our services or use our website
• "Website" refers to all pages and content at summitlyms.live
• "Agreement" means these Terms and Conditions along with any written engagement letter or retainer agreement

Use of Services

Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction to engage our services. By using our services, you represent that you meet these requirements.

Account Responsibilities: If you create an account or provide information through our website, you are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of your account information and for all activities under your account.

Accurate Information: You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when engaging our services or using our website. Inaccurate information may affect our ability to provide effective legal services.

Prohibited Uses

You agree not to:

• Use our services or website in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe upon intellectual property rights of Summit Legal or third parties
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Attempt unauthorized access to our systems, networks, or client information
• Engage in fraudulent activities or misrepresentation
• Harass, abuse, or harm others through our services
• Use automated systems to access our website without permission
• Resell or redistribute our services without authorization

Intellectual Property

Our Property: All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is owned by Summit Legal or our licensors and is protected by Canadian and international intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works without our written permission.

Limited License: We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use our website for personal, non-commercial purposes.

Client Materials: Materials you provide to us for legal services remain your property. By providing materials, you grant us necessary licenses to use them in providing legal services.

Payment Terms

Currency: All fees are quoted in Canadian Dollars (CAD) unless otherwise specified.

Payment Timing: Payment terms vary by service. Packaged services require payment before work begins. Hourly services are billed monthly, with payment due within 30 days of invoice date.

Accepted Methods: We accept payment by bank transfer, credit card, and electronic payment platforms. Payment processing fees may apply to certain methods.

Fee Changes: We reserve the right to modify service fees with 30 days' notice. Changes do not affect services already engaged under existing fee agreements.

Taxes: Fees do not include applicable taxes unless specified. You are responsible for all sales, use, and similar taxes.

Service Delivery and Timelines

Estimated Timelines: Timeline estimates are based on typical processing patterns and assume timely client cooperation. Actual timelines may vary due to factors beyond our control, including government processing delays, information requests, or matter complexity.

Client Cooperation: Timely service delivery requires your cooperation in providing information, documents, and responses to our inquiries. Delays in client cooperation may extend timelines.

Cancellation and Termination

Client Termination: You may terminate our services at any time by written notice. You remain responsible for fees incurred prior to termination.

Our Termination: We may terminate services if: (1) you fail to pay fees when due; (2) you breach these terms; (3) conflicts of interest arise; (4) client relationship breakdown occurs; or (5) Law Society rules require termination. We will provide reasonable notice when circumstances permit.

Effect of Termination: Upon termination, you pay for all services rendered. We will provide your file contents upon request and payment of outstanding fees. Provisions regarding confidentiality, intellectual property, and dispute resolution survive termination.

Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

"As Is" Provision: Our website and general information are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that our website will be error-free, uninterrupted, or free of viruses.

No Guarantee of Results: Legal outcomes depend on many factors beyond our control. We cannot provide guarantees regarding specific results, approvals, or outcomes.

Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, Summit Legal and its lawyers are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from use of our services or website. Our total liability for any claim is limited to fees paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

Exceptions: Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death, personal injury, fraud, or other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution: Before initiating formal proceedings, parties agree to attempt good-faith informal resolution through direct discussion.

Mediation: If informal resolution fails, disputes will be referred to mediation before an ADR Institute of British Columbia certified mediator. Parties share mediation fees equally unless otherwise agreed.

Arbitration: If mediation does not resolve the dispute within 60 days, either party may initiate binding arbitration under British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre rules.

Jurisdiction: These terms are governed by the laws of British Columbia and Canada. Any legal proceedings are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia.

Exceptions: Either party may seek injunctive relief in appropriate circumstances without first pursuing mediation or arbitration.

General Provisions

Entire Agreement: These terms, together with any written engagement letter, constitute the entire agreement between you and Summit Legal regarding use of our services and website, superseding all prior agreements.

Severability: If any provision of these terms is found unenforceable, remaining provisions continue in full effect.

No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision does not constitute waiver of that provision or any other provision.

Assignment: You may not assign rights or obligations under these terms without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations with notice to you.

Notices: Notices to Summit Legal should be sent to [email protected] or our mailing address. We will send notices to contact information you provide.

Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Updated terms will be posted on our website with a revised "Last Updated" date. Material changes will be communicated through email or prominent website notice. Your continued use of services following changes constitutes acceptance of modified terms. If you do not agree with changes, you may terminate services as provided above.

Contact Information

For questions about these Terms and Conditions: