Terms & Conditions

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions:

• "We," "Us," "Our" refers to Cornerstens
• "You," "Your," "Client" refers to the individual or organisation using our services
• "Services" refers to the business consulting services we provide
• "Agreement" refers to any engagement letter, proposal, or contract between us and you
• "Website" refers to our website at cornerstens.pro
• "Deliverables" refers to any reports, frameworks, documents, or materials we produce

2. Acceptance of Terms

By engaging our services, using our website, or submitting enquiries through our contact forms, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our services or website.

You confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements. If you are acting on behalf of an organisation, you confirm that you have the authority to bind that organisation to these terms.

3. Services Description

Cornerstens provides business consulting services in Hong Kong, including but not limited to:

• Performance Measurement Design
• Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
• Decision Support Systems

The specific scope, deliverables, timeline, and fees for each engagement will be detailed in a separate Agreement or proposal provided to you.

4. Client Responsibilities

To enable us to provide our services effectively, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information relevant to the engagement
• Make available appropriate personnel and resources as reasonably required
• Review and provide feedback on deliverables in a timely manner
• Communicate any changes in circumstances that may affect the engagement
• Pay fees in accordance with the agreed payment terms
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

5. Fees and Payment

Our fees will be set out in the Agreement or proposal for each engagement. Unless otherwise specified:

• Fees are quoted in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
• Payment is due within 14 days of invoice date
• An initial deposit may be required before work commences
• Late payments may incur interest at 2% per month
• All fees are exclusive of any applicable taxes

We reserve the right to suspend services if invoices remain unpaid for more than 30 days.

6. Intellectual Property

6.1 Our Intellectual Property

We retain ownership of our pre-existing intellectual property, including our methodologies, frameworks, tools, and know-how. We grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use deliverables for your internal business purposes.

6.2 Your Intellectual Property

You retain ownership of your confidential information and pre-existing intellectual property that you provide to us during an engagement.

6.3 Website Content

All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, and design, is our property and is protected by intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use our website content without our written permission.

7. Confidentiality

We will treat all information you provide to us as confidential and will not disclose it to third parties without your consent, except as required by law or as necessary to provide our services.

Similarly, you agree to treat our methodologies, proposals, and deliverables as confidential and not to share them with third parties without our consent.

8. Disclaimers

Our services are advisory in nature. We provide recommendations and guidance based on our professional judgement and the information available to us. However:

• We do not guarantee any specific business outcomes or results
• Our advice is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or accounting advice
• Implementation of our recommendations remains your responsibility
• Business decisions and their consequences remain your responsibility

Our website and its content are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Hong Kong law:

• Our total liability for any claims arising from our services shall not exceed the fees paid by you for the specific engagement in question
• We shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
• We shall not be liable for any loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• We shall not be liable for any damages arising from your use of our website

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your breach of these Terms, your misuse of our services, or your violation of any third-party rights.

11. Termination

Either party may terminate an engagement by providing written notice to the other party. Upon termination:

• You shall pay for all services rendered up to the termination date
• We shall deliver any completed work product
• Both parties shall return or destroy any confidential information
• Provisions regarding confidentiality, intellectual property, and limitation of liability shall survive termination

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or our services shall first be addressed through good faith negotiations. If negotiations are unsuccessful, the dispute shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Hong Kong.

13. General Provisions

• Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with any Agreement, constitute the entire understanding between us regarding our services.
• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in effect.
• Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
• Assignment: You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without our written consent.
• Notices: Notices must be sent in writing to the addresses provided in the Agreement or by email.

14. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The updated terms will be posted on our website with a new "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services or website after any changes indicates your acceptance of the new terms.