Effective Date: January 2025
These Terms and Conditions govern your use of legal services provided by Meridian Counsel and your access to our website. By engaging our services, submitting information through our website, or otherwise interacting with our practice, you agree to be bound by these terms.
If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not use our services or website. These terms should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, which are incorporated by reference.
For purposes of these Terms and Conditions:
You must be at least 18 years of age to engage our legal services independently. Minors may receive services only through a parent, guardian, or authorized representative. You represent that all information provided to us is accurate, complete, and current.
A lawyer-client relationship is established only upon mutual agreement following an initial consultation and execution of an engagement letter or retainer agreement. Casual inquiries, website contact form submissions, or preliminary discussions do not create a professional relationship or solicitor-client privilege.
Our services are limited to non-criminal legal matters within our areas of practice. We will clearly communicate the scope of each engagement in writing. Services outside this defined scope require separate agreement. We reserve the right to decline representation if a matter falls outside our competence or creates a conflict of interest.
You agree not to use our services or website for any unlawful purpose or in any way that:
All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, designs, and software, is owned by Meridian Counsel or licensed for our use. This content is protected by Canadian copyright law. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works without express written permission.
Legal documents, opinions, and other work product prepared for your matter belong to you upon full payment of fees. However, our internal working documents, research notes, and analysis remain our property. You grant us permission to retain copies of work product for our records and professional purposes.
You retain all rights to materials and information you provide to us. By sharing these materials, you grant us a license to use them solely for purposes of providing legal services to you.
Services are billed according to the pricing structure outlined in your engagement letter or retainer agreement. Consultation services are fixed-price. Document services are estimated based on expected scope. Retainer arrangements involve annual fees with defined terms. All fees are stated in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
Payment is generally required in advance for consultations and at agreed milestones for other services. We accept payment by electronic transfer, cheque, or other methods as agreed. Late payments may incur interest charges at the rate of 1.5% per month (18% per annum) on outstanding balances.
You are responsible for reasonable disbursements incurred on your behalf, including filing fees, courier charges, expert fees, and other necessary expenses. Significant disbursements will be discussed and approved in advance.
All fees are subject to applicable Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) as required by Canadian tax law.
You may terminate our services at any time by providing written notice. You remain responsible for payment of fees for work completed and disbursements incurred up to the termination date. We will provide your file materials upon request and payment of outstanding amounts.
We may terminate services if: payment obligations are not met, you fail to cooperate or provide necessary information, continuing the relationship would violate professional obligations, a conflict of interest arises, or for other good cause. We will provide reasonable notice where possible and assist with transition to other counsel.
Upon termination, we will cease active work on your matter, provide an accounting of fees and expenses, and return your materials. Our obligation to maintain confidentiality continues indefinitely. You remain responsible for all fees and expenses incurred prior to termination.
While we provide professional legal services with reasonable care and skill, we cannot promise specific outcomes or results. Legal matters involve uncertainties and factors beyond our control. Our advice is based on information you provide and legal standards current at the time of service delivery.
Information on our website is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Do not rely on website content for decision-making without consulting a lawyer about your specific situation. We make reasonable efforts to keep website information current but cannot warrant its complete accuracy or completeness.
Our liability for professional services is limited to the amount of fees paid for the specific matter in question, except where limitation would be contrary to law. We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages. This limitation does not apply to liability arising from willful misconduct or gross negligence.
If concerns arise regarding our services, we encourage direct communication with the lawyer handling your matter. Most issues can be resolved through good-faith discussion. If concerns persist, you may request review by a senior member of our practice.
For concerns about professional conduct, you may file a complaint with the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, the regulatory body for lawyers in Nova Scotia. Their complaints process is independent of our practice.
These terms are governed by the laws of Nova Scotia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Nova Scotia. However, we encourage mediation or arbitration as alternative dispute resolution methods where appropriate.
These Terms and Conditions, together with any specific engagement letter or retainer agreement, constitute the entire agreement regarding your use of our services. They supersede all prior understandings or agreements.
If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving its intent.
Our failure to enforce any provision of these terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or our right to enforce it in the future. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of our practice.
You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations with notice to you, provided it does not materially affect the services you receive.
We may modify these terms from time to time. Changes will be posted on our website with an updated effective date. Material changes affecting existing client relationships will be communicated directly. Continued use of our services after changes indicates acceptance of modified terms.
For questions about these Terms and Conditions or any aspect of our services, please contact:
Meridian Counsel
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (902) 425-6183
Address: 1959 Upper Water Street, Suite 1400, Halifax, NS B3J 3N2