Last Updated: January 2025 | Effective Date: January 2025
These Terms and Conditions govern your use of legal services provided by Stonegate and your access to our website. By engaging our services or using our website, you agree to be bound by these terms. Please read them carefully before proceeding.
If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you should not use our services or website. These terms constitute a binding legal agreement between you and Stonegate.
For purposes of these Terms and Conditions:
Our legal services cover Canadian corporate establishment, immigration documentation, and property transaction support as described on our website and in engagement letters. Services are provided in accordance with Law Society of Ontario rules and Canadian legal standards.
You must be at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction to engage our services independently. Minors may be represented by parents or legal guardians.
You are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of any login credentials provided for client portals or document access. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account.
You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during service engagement. Inaccurate information may affect service delivery and outcomes. You will promptly update us regarding any changes to your circumstances or information.
You agree not to use our services or website to:
All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is owned by Stonegate or licensed to us and protected by Canadian copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification is prohibited.
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use our website for personal, non-commercial purposes related to evaluating or using our services. This license does not permit downloading (other than page caching) or modification of any content without express written consent.
Documents and information you provide remain your property. By providing materials to us, you grant Stonegate a license to use, reproduce, and modify such materials solely for purposes of providing legal services to you.
Service fees are quoted in Canadian Dollars (CAD) and include anticipated work scope as described in engagement letters. Fees do not include government filing charges, third-party costs, or applicable taxes unless specifically stated.
Payment terms vary by service type. Corporate establishment and property services typically require payment before filing. Immigration services may involve staged payments based on application milestones. Specific payment schedules are outlined in engagement letters.
We accept payment via electronic bank transfer, certified cheque, or credit card. Credit card payments may incur processing fees. All payments should reference the client matter number.
Quoted fees remain valid for 30 days. We reserve the right to adjust fees for new engagements based on changing circumstances. Existing client matters proceed at originally quoted rates unless scope changes significantly.
All fees are subject to applicable Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) or Goods and Services Tax (GST) as required by Canadian tax law. Tax amounts will be clearly indicated on invoices.
Refund eligibility depends on service stage and work completed. If you terminate engagement before substantial work commences, unused fees may be refunded less administrative costs. No refunds are provided once documentation has been filed with government agencies or substantial work has been performed.
Government filing fees, third-party costs, and expenses incurred on your behalf are non-refundable. Disbursements paid to external parties cannot be recovered once transmitted.
Approved refunds are processed within 14 business days to the original payment method. Bank transfer refunds may take additional time depending on financial institutions.
Our website and informational content are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. While we strive for accuracy, we do not warrant that website content is error-free or that services will meet all expectations.
Legal services involve regulatory decisions beyond our control. We cannot guarantee specific outcomes, approval rates, or processing times for applications or filings. Government agencies make independent determinations based on their assessment of applications.
Stonegate's liability for any claims arising from services is limited to fees paid for the specific matter in question. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages.
We are not responsible for delays or failures resulting from government processing times, policy changes, force majeure events, or circumstances beyond reasonable control. We are not liable for decisions made by regulatory bodies or third parties.
You acknowledge that legal matters involve inherent uncertainties and risks. By engaging our services, you accept these risks and agree that Stonegate provides guidance and assistance but cannot control regulatory outcomes.
You may terminate our services at any time by providing written notice. You remain responsible for fees for work completed to termination date plus any non-refundable costs already incurred.
We may terminate services if: payment obligations are not met; you provide false or misleading information; conflict of interest arises; relationship breakdown prevents effective representation; or you violate these terms.
Either party may terminate by providing written notice. Termination does not relieve you of payment obligations for services rendered. We will provide reasonable transition assistance upon termination.
Provisions regarding confidentiality, intellectual property, payment obligations, and dispute resolution survive termination.
In the event of any dispute, both parties agree to first attempt informal resolution through good faith negotiations. Concerns should be directed to our senior management for review and resolution attempt.
If informal resolution fails, disputes will be submitted to mediation before proceeding to other remedies. Mediation costs will be shared equally between parties.
These Terms are governed by the laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Any legal proceedings must be brought in the courts of Ontario, Canada, and you consent to exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any engagement letters, constitute the entire agreement between you and Stonegate regarding services and supersede all prior understandings.
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. Invalid provisions will be modified to achieve the intended purpose to the extent possible.
Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. All waivers must be in writing to be effective.
You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations to affiliated entities or successors.
Notices to Stonegate should be sent to our registered address or email address provided below. Notices to you will be sent to the contact information provided in your engagement letter or registration.
For questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact:
Legal Department
Stonegate
333 Bay Street, Suite 2900
Toronto, ON M5H 2T4
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (416) 738-2954