Horizon Legal's Privacy Policy

Introduction

With the arrival of new communication tools, particular attention must be paid to the protection of privacy. That is why we, Horizon Legal (hereinafter "Horizon Legal"), take the privacy of your personal information seriously and are committed to protecting the confidentiality of the information we collect.

Horizon Legal undertakes to comply, in accordance with applicable laws, with the obligations regarding the collection and processing of personal and confidential information obtained in the course of operating a business, so that everyone may benefit from the respect of their privacy.

This personal information protection policy (hereinafter the "Policy") describes the information we may collect from users, understood as the end user or the organization you represent or work for (hereinafter the "User" or "Users") in the course of our activities, the purposes for which we collect it, the use we make of it and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties. In addition, this Policy sets out the rights available to the User regarding the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information. Horizon Legal undertakes not to collect, use or disclose the User's personal information other than in accordance with this Policy and the laws applicable in Canada and Quebec.

Scope of the Policy

When the User browses one of our mobile applications and uses our online services by visiting our website or subscribing to our email publications (Horizon Legal's website, hereinafter the "Platform"), they accept the terms and conditions of this Policy. If the User continues to use the Platform after a new version of this Policy has been posted on it, they thereby consent to the changes and will be bound by them.

The information we collect is necessary when we provide a service to the User or when we carry out a transaction they have requested. By providing us with this information, the User consents to it being collected and used as set out in this Policy.

Collection of personal information

Horizon Legal may obtain personal information from the User when they save personal information on the Platform or, where applicable, otherwise transmit personal information, in particular by filling out the contact form available on the Platform.

We collect the following information from the User upon registration:

  • First and last names;
  • Phone number;
  • Email address; and
  • Information related to their request.

The User's personal information will not be kept beyond the purposes for which it was collected.

For further information on the protection of your personal information and your related rights, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or Quebec's privacy authority.

  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: www.privcom.gc.ca
  • Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec: www.cai.gouv.qc.ca

Use of personal information

Horizon Legal uses your personal information in particular to:

  • Answer your questions;
  • Carry out the mandates you entrust to us;
  • Communicate with you;
  • Manage your client file, where applicable.

Forms and interactions

The User's personal information may be collected through the forms available on the Platform, by email or by phone.

Horizon Legal also uses cookies, as described in the "Automatically Exchanged Data" section.

To learn how personal information collected through cookies is used, see the "Automatically Exchanged Data" section below.

If the User is not subscribed to our newsletter, they will not receive any marketing emails from Horizon Legal.

The User's information is also collected through the interaction that may take place between the User and the Platform, and may be used for the following purposes:

  • Providing services to the User;
  • Managing client accounts;
  • Complying with applicable laws and regulations;
  • Sending newsletters; and
  • Sending promotions tailored to the User's needs.

Marketing communications

Horizon Legal will only contact you if you wish. If you prefer not to receive marketing information from us, or if you do not want us to use your personal information to enhance your experience as a User, please let us know by contacting us at the address indicated in the "Your rights" section.

Remember to include your full name and the email address you used when you registered or made a purchase from us. There may be a processing delay for a request sent by email or by mail, and you may continue to receive communications from Horizon Legal in the meantime.

Third-party services

Horizon Legal may use third-party services in the course of managing its business and its Platform. Under no circumstances is Horizon Legal liable for any harm that may arise from these third-party services. To learn about the terms of use of these services, we invite the User to consult their respective websites.

Automatically exchanged data

We collect certain information during exchanges between the User's computer and our server. Cookies, files created by a website and automatically stored on the User's electronic devices to collect information about their browsing activity, allow the User to log in to the Platform on subsequent visits and allow Horizon Legal to personalize the Platform. This mainly involves the following information:

  • Domain name;
  • IP address; and
  • The User's language.

Most of the information transmitted automatically does not identify the User. It is collected only because of the technological requirements inherent to browsing the Internet. Most browsers automatically accept cookies, but it is generally possible to change this behaviour. However, if the User chooses to refuse cookies, they may not be able to identify themselves or use certain features of the Platform.

The use of such information allows us to improve the service, personalize the User's experience and better follow up on a request or an order.

This information is also used to:

  • Identify the User;
  • Process the User's requests and orders and answer their questions;
  • Stay in touch with the User and provide them with an ongoing, personalized service; and
  • Conduct market research and performance studies to assess customer service, measure performance, enhance the User's experience and improve our products.

These cookies are varied: some expire when the User closes their browser and no longer have any effect, while others may be retained. The User may disable cookies at any time. However, in that case, Horizon Legal does not guarantee the optimal functioning of the Platform.

Subject to the User's consent, given through the consent banner and revocable at any time via the "Manage cookies" link in the footer, Horizon Legal uses cookies from the following third-party providers:

  • Audience measurement: Google Analytics (Google LLC) and Microsoft Clarity (Microsoft Corporation), to understand how the Platform is used and to improve it;
  • Advertising and campaign measurement: the Meta pixel (Meta Platforms, Inc.) and Google Ads (Google LLC), to run and measure our advertising campaigns.

Cookies that are strictly necessary for the operation of the Platform are always active and exempt from consent. No audience-measurement or marketing cookie is set before the User has given their consent.

International communications

In certain situations, the User's data may transit through servers located outside Canada. The User acknowledges this and releases Horizon Legal from any liability for the consequences of such a transfer.

The User's data may be stored in Canada, the United States or Europe. Horizon Legal takes all necessary precautions to secure your data, from a technical, physical and administrative standpoint.

Sharing of personal information

Horizon Legal undertakes not to commercialize the personal information collected without the User's express consent. The only situation in which personal information may be sold is a partial or total transfer of the business to a third party. In such a case, the information transferred as an asset of Horizon Legal will be subject to the same safeguards as those set out in this Privacy Policy.

Unless otherwise indicated in this Policy, the personal information the User provides will not be shared with third parties without their authorization. However, we may share this information with other law firms or with partners. When this is the case, we strive to inform you as soon as possible.

If the User does not wish their personal information to be disclosed to third parties or partners, they may object at any time, as mentioned in the following section.

Horizon Legal may, in the following cases, exceptionally disclose the User's personal information without their consent:

  • In the event of a legal obligation, in particular where a court order requires Horizon Legal to disclose the User's personal information.
  • Where it is impossible to obtain the User's consent and privacy laws allow Horizon Legal to disclose this personal information. This is notably the case where the protection of the public interest so requires.

Your rights

We are committed to offering the User a right to object, a right to rectification and a right to withdrawal regarding their personal information.

The right to object means the possibility offered to Users to refuse that their personal information be used for certain purposes mentioned at the time of collection.

The right to rectification means the possibility offered to Users to have the personal information held by Horizon Legal corrected.

The right to withdrawal means the possibility offered to Users to request that their personal information no longer appear, for example, on a mailing list.

The User is entitled to request access to the personal information we have collected about them and to have it corrected if necessary by contacting the resource person, whose contact details can be found in the "Resource person" section below.

Anti-spam legislation

Horizon Legal complies with the requirements of Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). The User understands that they may consent expressly or implicitly to receiving messages from Horizon Legal.

Express consent is consent requested from the User, which must be stated in simple and clear terms, and must include the purposes for which consent is sought, the regulatory information identifying the person seeking consent and, if it is sought on behalf of another person, the regulatory information identifying that person; as well as any other information specified by the regulations made under that legislation.

The User understands that they give implied consent in the course of existing business relationships or existing private relationships; where the User publishes their email address without stating that they do not wish to receive unsolicited commercial electronic messages; or where the message is sent in the other circumstances provided for by the regulations made under that legislation.

a) For the purposes of this Policy, an existing business relationship refers to a business relationship established between two persons, such as a purchase or lease within the two years preceding the date the message was sent; an investment or offered gaming opportunity; the bartering of anything; any contract in force or that expired during that period; or an inquiry within the six months preceding the date the message was sent.

b) For the purposes of this Policy, an existing private relationship means a relationship between two persons other than a business relationship, such as a donation or gift, volunteer work; or membership, within the meaning of the regulations; all within the two years preceding the date the message was sent.

To unsubscribe from our electronic communications mailing list, simply contact us at info@horizonlegal.ca.

Security

The personal information Horizon Legal collects is kept in a secure environment. Horizon Legal has adopted appropriate measures to preserve the confidentiality of personal information and to protect it against loss or theft, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification, taking into account, in particular, its sensitivity and the purposes for which it is used. In addition, Horizon Legal requires every employee, agent or representative of Horizon Legal to comply with this Policy.

To ensure the security of the User's personal information, Horizon Legal relies on, among other things, the following measures:

  • SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol;
  • Secure access to premises;
  • Protected access to servers and computers;
  • Firewalls;
  • Use of password-protected data networks;
  • Confidentiality agreements with employees;
  • Internal personal information protection policies;
  • Personal data protection procedures;
  • Regular updates to security measures; and
  • Encrypted and secure electronic communications.

Horizon Legal is thus committed to maintaining a high level of security by integrating the latest technological innovations to ensure the confidentiality of the User's transactions, in order to protect their personal data and prevent it from being accessed, used or disclosed without authorization.

However, since no mechanism offers absolute security, some risk is always present when using the Internet to transmit personal information. If a password is used to protect the User's account and personal information, it is their responsibility to keep it confidential.

French and English language

In the event of any issue of definition or interpretation between the French and English versions of this Policy, the French version shall prevail.

Governing law and jurisdiction

The Platform and its content are managed by Horizon Legal from its offices located in the province of Quebec, Canada. The Platform and its content, this Policy and your use thereof are all governed by the applicable laws of Quebec and Canada, without giving effect to any principle relating to conflict of laws.

You agree that all questions and disputes concerning the Platform and your use of it shall first be brought before a mediator and, failing a resolution, decided by the courts of Montreal.

Notwithstanding any attribution of jurisdiction and applicable law, where the User is a consumer within the meaning of Quebec's Consumer Protection Act, any dispute relating to this Policy shall be governed by the law of the Province of Quebec and shall necessarily be brought before a court having jurisdiction under the rules of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Interpretation

This Policy is governed by the applicable Quebec and Canadian laws, including Canada's personal information protection legislation. These laws apply without giving effect to any principle relating to conflict of laws. The section headings above are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of the provisions of the Policy.

Whenever the context so requires, any word written in the singular also includes the plural and vice versa; any word written in the masculine gender also includes the feminine gender and vice versa.

Severability

Each provision of this Policy forms a distinct whole, so that any decision of a court to the effect that one of the provisions of this Policy is null or unenforceable shall in no way affect the validity of the other provisions of this Policy or their enforceability.

Resource person

You may exercise the rights provided for in this Policy or address any other question or complaint regarding Horizon Legal's personal information protection practices by contactingdonneespersonnelles@horizonlegal.ca.

Changes to this Policy

We occasionally update this Policy. Continued use of the Platform constitutes the User's agreement to this Privacy Policy and to its updates. Changes will be posted on the Platform.