Terms of service.
Effective Date: April 1, 2024
1. Acceptance of Terms
These Terms of Service (the "Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you, whether personally or on behalf of an entity, and Hall Law Office (the "Firm," "we," "us," or "our") concerning your access to and use of this website and domain (the "Website").
By accessing or using the Website, you agree that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all of these Terms.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ALL OF THESE TERMS, YOU ARE EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED FROM USING THE WEBSITE AND MUST DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY.
2. Website Content and Legal Disclaimer
The core of our professional relationship is built on clear communication, and that starts here.
Informational Purposes Only: The content on the Website, including text, graphics, and links, is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such.
Jurisdiction: Legal principles vary significantly by jurisdiction. Any discussion of law on this Website is framed generally and is not tailored to your specific matter or the law of a specific province (Alberta and Saskatchewan included) unless explicitly stated.
No Lawyer-Client Relationship: Your use of the Website, including sending an email to the Firm or using a contact form, does NOT create a lawyer-client relationship. A formal relationship is only established upon the execution of a written Retainer or Engagement ,Agreement signed by both you and a representative of the Firm.
Accuracy: We strive to ensure the information is accurate and current, but the law constantly changes. We make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the content.
3. Intellectual Property Rights
All content on the Website is our property.
Ownership: Unless otherwise indicated, the Website and all content, features, and functionality (including all information, software, text, images, and design) are owned by the Firm or licensed to us, and are protected by Canadian and international copyright and trademark laws.
Limited License: You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Website for your personal, non-commercial viewing. This permission does not constitute a transfer of ownership, or grant any other rights to you except as expressly permitted herein.
Prohibited Use: You may not copy, reproduce, republish, download, post, transmit, or distribute any part of the Website content without our express prior written permission.
4. User Representations and Prohibited Activities
You agree to use the Website only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.
Lawful Use: You represent and warrant that you will not use the Website for any illegal or unauthorized purpose.
Prohibited Conduct: You agree not to engage in any activity that could disable, overburden, damage, or impair the Website, including, but not limited to:
Systematically retrieving data or other content to create or compile, directly or indirectly, a collection, compilation, database, or directory without written permission from us.
Circumventing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with security-related features of the Website.
Using the Website to transmit unsolicited commercial email ("spam").
5. Website Management and Modifications
We reserve the right, without obligation, to:
Make changes to the Website and its content at any time.
Modify or discontinue all or part of the Website without notice.
Revise these Terms at any time. The updated version will be indicated by a new "Effective Date." Your continued use of the Website after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.
6. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and your use of the Website are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta and/or Saskatchewan and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the Province of Alberta or Saskatchewan, at the election of Hall Law Office for any dispute arising under these Terms.
7. Limitations of Liability
In no event will the Firm, its partners, lawyers, staff, or agents be liable to you or any third party for any direct, indirect, consequential, exemplary, incidental, special, or punitive damages, including lost profit, lost revenue, or loss of data, arising from your use of the Website, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Furthermore, you agree that in the event the foregoing has found to be unenforceable or overly broad to have general application to your specific circumstance by a Court of competent jurisdiction, the scope of liability hereunder is limited to the actual dollar cost of services provided to you and paid by you to Hall Law Office.
8. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold us harmless from and against any loss, damage, liability, claim, or demand, including reasonable legal fees and expenses, made by any third party due to or arising out of: (1) your use of the Website; (2) your breach of these Terms; or (3) your violation of the rights of a third party, including intellectual property rights.
9. Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us in accordance with the information provided on the Website, as amended from time to time.
Privacy Policy
Effective Date: April 1, 2024
This Privacy Policy (the "Policy") outlines how Hall Law Office (the "Firm," "we," "us," or "our") manages the personal information of users who visit our website at www.hall.legal (the "Website"). We are committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy legislation, including the **Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)** and the **Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)** (Alberta). In addition, client information is subject to strict confidentiality requirements in accordance with the statutory and ethical requirements of law firms located or operating in Alberta and Saskatchewan by their respective Law Societies.
1. The Critical Disclaimer: No Lawyer-Client Relationship
ACCESSING OR USING OUR WEBSITE DOES NOT, BY ITSELF, CREATE A LAWYER-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND THE FIRM.
No Legal Advice: The content on this Website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. You should not act or rely on any information found on the Website without seeking professional legal counsel specific to your situation.
No Confidentiality: Subject to the requirements of the applicable provincial Law Society, and while we take reasonable steps to secure communications, any unsolicited information sent to the Firm via the Website's email addresses or contact forms is **not considered confidential** unless and until you have received written confirmation from one of our lawyers that the Firm has agreed to act as your legal counsel (a formal **Retainer Agreement**).
2. Personal Information We Collect
We limit the collection of personal information to what is necessary for the purposes identified in this Policy.
Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and any details you provide when you fill out a contact form, subscribe to a newsletter, or send an unsolicited email. Purpose: To respond to your inquiry and communicate with you.
Technical Data/Usage Data: IP address, browser type and version, pages visited, time spent on pages, and referring website addresses. Purpose: To analyze and improve the performance, content, and user experience of our Website.
Cookies: Small data files stored on your device. Purpose: To recognize you on subsequent visits and track usage. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, though this may impact Website functionality.
3. How We Use and Disclose Your Information
We use your personal information only for the purposes for which it was collected or for related purposes that would be reasonably expected.
To Respond to Inquiries: To communicate with you regarding your questions or requests.
To Manage and Improve the Website: To perform data analysis, monitor trends, and enhance security and technical functioning.
Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers (e.g., website hosting, analytics providers, Clio practice management) who perform services on our behalf. These parties are contractually bound to maintain the confidentiality of your information and are restricted from using it for any purpose other than what is specified.
Legal Obligation: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or governmental regulation, or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with legal processes or protect the rights, property, or safety of the Firm or our users.
4. Data Security and Location
We take reasonable physical, electronic, and administrative measures to safeguard the personal information we collect. However, no internet transmission is entirely secure.
Jurisdictional Note: Your personal information may be stored, processed, or backed up on servers located outside of Alberta or Saskatchewan, potentially including the United States, and may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions. By submitting your information, you consent to this transfer.
5. Your Rights and Access
You have a right to access and correct your personal information held by the Firm.
Access Request: If you wish to review, verify, or correct the personal information we have about you, please submit a written request to the Privacy Officer identified below.
Withdrawal of Consent: You may withdraw your consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions. Note that withdrawing consent may limit our ability to respond to your inquiries.
6. Changes to this Policy
We reserve the right to modify this Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised "Effective Date." Your continued use of the Website after any changes indicates your acceptance of the new terms.
7. Contacting Our Privacy Officer
For any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Policy or our privacy practices, please contact our designated Privacy Officer:
Tom Hall
780-230-1670
tom@hall.legal
Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Effective Date: April 1, 2024
1. Introduction and Purpose
This Policy governs the retention, storage, and eventual destruction of all client files and records held by the Firm. The purpose of this policy is to:
1. Ensure compliance with the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta and the Law Society of Saskatchewan, particularly regarding minimum file retention periods.
2. Promote administrative efficiency and reduce the physical storage requirements of the Firm.
3. Provide clients with clear notice regarding the handling of their **original physical documents** after the completion of an engagement.
2. Physical Document Retention and Destruction
The Firm operates on a digital-first retention model for client files. Our policy for all original physical documents (Wills, and other originally signed estate planning documents excepted) is as follows:
30-Day Transition Period: Following the formal completion and/or termination of our engagement, the Firm will hold all original physical documents relating to the matter (such as signed contracts, deeds, original wills, etc.) for a period of at least thirty (30) days (the "Retention Period").
Digitization and Destruction: Upon the expiry of the 30-day Retention Period, the Firm will:
1. Diligently and securely digitize all relevant original physical documents, creating a high-resolution, archival electronic copy of the entire file.
2. Securely destroy the corresponding original physical documents.
The Electronic Record: After the expiry of the Retention Period and the destruction of the originals, the digitized electronic copy shall be deemed the official, authoritative file record.
3. Client Request for Original Documents
The client is responsible for retrieving any original physical documents they wish to keep permanently prior to the expiry of the Retention Period. In some cases, where required by law or deemed advisable in our sole discretion, original documents will be returned to you without your request.
Procedure for Retrieval: If you wish to retain your original physical documents, you must formally contact the Firm in writing and provide your request prior to the expiry of the thirty (30) day Retention Period.
Waiver of Responsibility: If a client fails to provide written notification within the 30-day period, the client irrevocably consents to the Firm's process of digitization and destruction and waives any claim against the Firm arising from the destruction of the originals.
Arrangement for Delivery: All arrangements and costs associated with the delivery or pickup of original documents must be finalized within a reasonable time after the written request is received.
4. Electronic File Retention (Law Society Compliance)
Notwithstanding the destruction of the original physical documents, the Firm is obligated by the Law Societies of Alberta and Saskatchewan to maintain the electronic file record for a minimum duration, which is dependent upon the specific area of law and applicable Province.
Minimum Retention of Digital File: The Firm will retain the full electronic file record (including the digitized copies of the originals) for a minimum period of 10 years, or in accordance with the applicable Law Society requirements assessed on a case-by-case basis, or such longer period as required by law or professional regulation, particularly for matters such as Wills and Estate Planning.
Secure Disposal: After the minimum required electronic retention period has expired, the entire electronic file will be securely and permanently destroyed without further notice to the client.
5. Contact Information
For any questions regarding this Policy or to request the return of original physical documents during the 30-day Retention Period, please contact our using the information on our website, as amended from time to time.