Terms of use
Terms governing use of the Home Counsel Legal Services website.
Terms of Use / Disclaimer
Your access to and use of any material on the HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION's Website (the "Website") constitutes your acceptance of, and is conditional upon your acceptance of and compliance with, the following provisions (the "Terms of Use"). These terms and conditions may change from time to time and it is your responsibility to check for such updates.
General Use and Acceptance
This “Terms of Use Agreement” is a legal document between you and HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION (“HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION”), who are the owners and operators of hc-ls.ca including all content on the Website, unless stated otherwise. This agreement outlines the Terms and Conditions that govern your access and use of the Website. Your decision to access and use the Website indicates your acceptance of the Terms and Conditions of this Agreement. If you do not agree with these terms, you must refrain from accessing or using the Website. HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION has the right to update this Agreement at any time by publishing the revised terms. Continued use of the Website after such changes are made signifies your acceptance of the revised terms. To stay informed, please visit this page periodically to review this Agreement.
No Lawyer-Client Relationship
Please note that the presentation of information on this Website or your use of, or reliance upon such information does not create a lawyer-client relationship between you and HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION or any of its professionals. Additionally, it is important to be aware that sending or receiving information over the Internet is generally not secure. As a result, HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION cannot guarantee the security or privacy of any communication (in any form) to the Website.
No Lawyer-Client Relationship Established Through Filled Forms
The information you obtain at this Website is not and is not intended to be legal advice. You should consult a lawyer for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us or filling out forms does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as a lawyer-client relationship has been established.
Not Legal Advice
The material provided on the Home Counsel Legal Services Website is for general information purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal advice or opinions of any kind and may not be used for professional or commercial purposes. No one should act, or refrain from acting, based solely upon the materials provided on this Website, any hypertext links or other general information without first seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice. The hypertext links, search mechanisms, portals, documents and information on this Website are provided for your convenience only. These materials may have no evidentiary value and should be checked against official sources before they are used for professional or commercial purposes. It is your responsibility to determine whether these materials are admissible in a given judicial or administrative proceeding and whether there are any other evidentiary or filing requirements. Your use of these materials is at your own risk.
Ownership of Content
All materials accessible through this Website, including but not limited to text, graphics, videos, photos, trade-marks, logos, and other materials (collectively referred to as “Content”), are protected by copyright and trade-mark laws and are the property of HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION or the party that has been credited as the provider of the Content. Any use of the Content, including modification, transmission, presentation, distribution, republication, or any other form of exploitation of the Website or its Content, whether in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the express prior written consent of HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION, except as granted in the limited licence herein.
No Warranty
We aim to keep the website accurate and available, but general information may become outdated and the website may experience interruptions or errors. Content is provided “as is” and “as available”, to the extent permitted by law. We do not guarantee a particular legal outcome. Reviews describe individual experiences and do not predict results in another matter.
Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by law, HCLS is not responsible for indirect or consequential loss arising solely from use of this general-information website. Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, limits professional duties or liability for legal services, waives privacy rights, or restricts complaints to a regulator. An engagement agreement governs the legal services agreed with your lawyer.
Limited Licence
Subject to the Terms and Conditions of this Agreement, a limited, non-exclusive, and non-transferable licence is granted to you to access, view and use the Website for personal, non-commercial use. You are also allowed to download, store, and print single copies of items that make up the Content for your personal, non-commercial use, as long as you maintain all copyright and other notices present in such Content. Any other use of the Content or the Website Design is prohibited. The Content and Website Design may not be otherwise reproduced, republished or re-disseminated in any manner or form without the prior written consent of HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION.
Release and Indemnity
You are responsible for unlawful use of the website, including deliberately introducing malicious code, interfering with its operation or infringing another person’s rights. Any claim arising from that conduct remains subject to applicable law. These terms do not require you to release claims relating to legal services or indemnify HCLS for its own negligence or professional misconduct.
Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy explains how personal information is handled. Use of this website does not by itself provide consent to every collection, use or disclosure. Consent is obtained where required for the relevant purpose.
Electronic Communications
Email and online communications carry risks of interception, misdirection and unauthorized access. Please initially provide only the information needed to identify you, check conflicts and understand the general nature of your inquiry. Ask for an appropriate channel before sending sensitive documents. These terms do not waive confidentiality, privilege or duties owed to clients or prospective clients.
Client Confidentiality
HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION is committed to upholding the applicable confidentiality and data-security obligations, users are advised that electronic communication, including through email, web forms, and online portals, carries inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to, unauthorized access, interception, loss, or alteration of data transmitted over the internet.
By communicating with HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION through electronic means, you acknowledge and accept these risks. HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION will take reasonable precautions to protect your information; however, it cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality in all instances. You are encouraged to refrain from disclosing sensitive or confidential information through HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION's website.
Engagement and Retainer Process
Before accepting a matter, the lawyer assesses conflicts, scope and any identification requirements. The lawyer will explain the services, fees and engagement terms, normally in a written agreement. A consultation may itself involve a limited lawyer-client relationship; ongoing representation is a separate question. A relationship and professional duties can arise from the circumstances even without a signed agreement or payment.
Do not assume that a lawyer is handling a deadline or taking steps for you unless that responsibility has been confirmed. Contact the office promptly about urgent deadlines.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
The laws of the province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein shall govern use of this Website and the interpretation, validity and effect of this agreement, notwithstanding any conflict of laws, provisions or your domicile, residence or physical location. You hereby consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the province of Ontario in any action or proceeding related to this Website and agree not to commence any such action or proceeding except in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, subject to any mandatory rights or jurisdiction provided by applicable law.
Termination
HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION may cancel or terminate your right to use the Website, or any part of the Website, at any time without notice. In the event of termination, you are no longer authorized to access the Website or the part of the Website affected by such cancellation or termination. The restrictions imposed on you with respect to both Content and the Website set out in this Agreement shall survive. HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION shall not be liable to any party for such termination.
Entire Agreement
This Agreement, except for any agreement in respect of Content, is the entire agreement between you and HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION relating to your access and use of the Website and the Content herein.
Reserved Rights
Copyright © 2024-2026 HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION. All rights reserved. The HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION website contains information, communication, software (including program code that may execute on the server or that may be embedded in or downloadable from individual pages on this site), images, sounds, music, graphics, photos, videos and other materials and services (collectively, the "Content").
You agree that the Content and the selection, arrangement, architecture and enhancement of the Content and other website features (the "Website Design") are protected by Canadian and international intellectual and industrial property rights, including copyrights, trade-marks and other proprietary rights. These rights are valid and protected in all media existing now or later developed, and all use of the Content or Website Design shall be in accordance with such rights and the terms of this agreement.
Links to Third Party Websites
This Website may contain links to third-party websites provided solely for your convenience and not as an endorsement by HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION of their content. HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION neither endorses nor controls these websites and makes no representation about their content or accuracy. By accessing any third-party websites linked to this Website, you do so at your own risk. HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION is not responsible for the content of any third-party website and makes no representation or warranty of any kind regarding any third-party website, including without limitation (i) the legality, accuracy, reliability, completeness, timeliness, security, or suitability of any content on any third-party website, (ii) the merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose of any material, content, software, goods, or services located at or made available through such third-party websites, and (iii) the uninterrupted or error-free operation of the third-party website, correction of defects or errors in such third-party websites, or that such third-party websites will be free from viruses or other harmful components. Additionally, you acknowledge and agree that HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION’s Privacy Policy applies to information under its control, and that you should read the privacy policy of any other website before disclosing any Personal Information (as defined in the Privacy Policy).
You may link to the front page of this website at www.hc-ls.ca. Any other link to this website, and any linking to the pages within the site or framing of content on this site, is prohibited without the prior written consent of HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION. Any reference on this website to any product or service by trade name, trade-mark, hypertext link or otherwise is provided to you for your convenience only and does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION. To the extent this website contains links to other websites, HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION does not control the availability or content of such websites. Your use of any linked websites is at your own risk.
General
If any term or provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, it shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force without being invalidated in any way. You may not assign, convey, subcontract, or delegate your rights, duties, or obligations hereunder. HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION will not be considered to have waived any of its rights or remedies described in this Agreement unless the waiver is in writing and signed by HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION. No delay or omission by HOME COUNSEL LEGAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION in exercising its rights or remedies will impair or be construed as a waiver. Any single or partial exercise of a right or remedy will not preclude further exercise of any other right or remedy.
Independent Member Network
Notice: Members are independent contractors and are not employees, associates, or agents of Home Counsel Legal Services (“HCLS”). Each Independent Contractor is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, and non-assignable licence to use HCLS’s name, likeness, and branded materials solely for the purpose of identifying themselves as individuals providing legal services through HCLS’ Platform, the platform for lawyers in the HCLS Member Network. The Member Network serves as a roster of lawyers, acting as an online directory of independent legal professionals who access a suite of services provided by HCLS’ Platform to perform project-based legal work remotely on either an hourly or flat-fee basis. Members operate as freelancers who practice independently, not as part of an association or other relationship for the joint practice of law. Each lawyer is solely responsible for their own work product and business activities, to the exclusion of all other lawyers and the HCLS Member Network.
Last updated: September 6, 2026
Questions about these terms: admin@hcls.law or (613) 519-4518.