Terms & Conditions

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, unless the context requires otherwise:

• "Agreement" means these Terms and Conditions together with any engagement letter or proposal accepted by the Client.
• "Cantilever Group", "we", "our", "us" refers to Cantilever Group, a business consulting firm registered and operating in Hong Kong.
• "Client", "you", "your" refers to the individual, company, or organisation engaging our consulting services.
• "Services" means the business consulting services provided by Cantilever Group, including but not limited to Capability Extension Advisory, Market Reach Consultation, and Service Expansion Planning.
• "Deliverables" means the reports, analyses, recommendations, and other work products created as part of our Services.
• "Confidential Information" means any non-public information disclosed by either party to the other in connection with the Services.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By engaging our Services, submitting an enquiry through our website, or accepting a proposal from Cantilever Group, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our Services.

You represent that you are at least 18 years of age and have the legal authority to enter into this Agreement on behalf of yourself or the organisation you represent.

These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between you and Cantilever Group regarding the use of our Services, superseding any prior agreements or communications.

3. Description of Services

Cantilever Group provides business consulting services to organisations in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Our Services include:

• Capability Extension Advisory: Strategic guidance on expanding organisational capabilities, including assessment, strategy development, and roadmap creation.
• Market Reach Consultation: Analysis and recommendations for extending market presence and customer access.
• Service Expansion Planning: Practical planning for extending service offerings, including feasibility assessments and launch sequencing.

The specific scope, deliverables, and timeline for each engagement will be outlined in a separate proposal or engagement letter.

4. Client Responsibilities

To enable us to provide effective consulting services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information relevant to the engagement
• Make key personnel available for interviews, workshops, and discussions as reasonably required
• Provide timely feedback on draft deliverables and interim reports
• Notify us promptly of any changes that may affect the scope or direction of the engagement
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in Hong Kong

5. Fees and Payment

Our Services are provided on a fixed-fee basis as outlined in our proposals. Current standard fees are:

Unless otherwise specified in writing, payment terms are as follows: 50% deposit upon acceptance of proposal, with the remaining 50% due upon delivery of final Deliverables.

All fees are quoted in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) and are exclusive of any applicable taxes. Payment is due within 14 days of invoice date. Late payments may incur interest at 2% per month on outstanding amounts.

Additional work requested beyond the original scope will be quoted separately and subject to written agreement before commencement.

6. Intellectual Property

Upon full payment of all fees, you will own the Deliverables created specifically for your engagement. However, Cantilever Group retains ownership of:

• Our pre-existing methodologies, frameworks, tools, and intellectual property
• Generic knowledge and skills developed during the engagement
• Anonymised and aggregated insights derived from our work

You grant us a limited licence to use anonymised information about the engagement for marketing purposes, such as case study descriptions, unless you expressly object in writing.

7. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information received from the other party. We will not disclose your Confidential Information to third parties without your prior written consent, except:

• To our employees and contractors who need access to perform the Services
• When required by law, court order, or regulatory authority
• To our professional advisors bound by confidentiality obligations

This confidentiality obligation survives the termination of our engagement for a period of five years.

8. Disclaimers

Our consulting services are provided on an advisory basis. While we apply professional expertise and diligence to our work:

• We do not warrant or represent that specific business outcomes will be achieved
• Our recommendations are based on information available at the time and may not account for future market changes
• Implementation of recommendations remains your responsibility and decision
• Our Services do not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice

We encourage you to seek appropriate professional advice for legal, tax, and financial matters that may arise from our recommendations.

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 total fees paid by you for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim
• We shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, incidental, special, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities
• We shall not be liable for any loss arising from your failure to implement our recommendations or your implementation of them

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for fraud, gross negligence, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Cantilever Group, its directors, officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: your breach of these Terms and Conditions; your use of our Deliverables; any third-party claims related to your implementation of our recommendations; or your violation of applicable laws or regulations.

11. Termination

Either party may terminate an engagement:

• By giving 14 days written notice to the other party
• Immediately if the other party materially breaches these terms and fails to remedy the breach within 14 days of written notice
• Immediately if the other party becomes insolvent or enters liquidation

Upon termination, you shall pay for all Services performed up to the termination date. We will provide you with any partially completed Deliverables for which payment has been made.

Sections relating to confidentiality, intellectual property, limitation of liability, and governing law shall survive termination.

12. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, acts of government, war, terrorism, civil unrest, pandemics, or failure of third-party systems or services. In such circumstances, affected timelines will be reasonably extended.

13. Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms and Conditions or our Services shall be resolved as follows:

• 1. Informal Resolution: The parties shall first attempt to resolve the dispute through good faith negotiation within 30 days.
• 2. Mediation: If negotiation fails, the parties may agree to submit the dispute to mediation administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC).
• 3. Arbitration or Litigation: If mediation fails, either party may pursue arbitration under HKIAC rules or litigation in the courts of Hong Kong.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Subject to the dispute resolution provisions above, the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Hong Kong.

15. General Provisions

Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with any engagement letter or proposal, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior negotiations and agreements.

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Waiver: Failure by either party to enforce any right or provision shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

Assignment: You may not assign or transfer your rights under this Agreement without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights to a successor entity.

Notices: All formal notices should be sent by email with delivery confirmation or by registered post to the addresses specified in this Agreement.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. Changes will be posted on our website with an updated "Last Updated" date. For existing engagements, the Terms in effect at the time of engagement acceptance shall apply unless otherwise agreed in writing.