Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing our website and engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you may not use our website or services. These terms apply to all clients, including those aged 18 and above, with legal capacity to enter agreements.

2. Description of Services

Aether provides specialised legal advisory services in three areas: Aviation & Aerospace Advisory, Supply Chain Contract Review, and Whistleblower Policy Advisory. All services are delivered by qualified legal practitioners in Hong Kong. The scope, timeline, and fees for each engagement are clearly outlined in our engagement letters.

3. Engagement Process

An engagement with Aether begins with an initial consultation to discuss your needs and our proposed approach. Following acceptance of our engagement terms and fee arrangement, we will provide legal advice and deliverables as outlined in our engagement letter. Both parties must agree in writing to the scope and terms of engagement.

Either party may terminate an engagement by providing written notice. Termination does not relieve you of obligation to pay for work completed and reasonable expenses incurred.

4. Fees and Payment

Fees are clearly stated in our engagement letter and may be structured as fixed fees, hourly rates, or other arrangements agreed in writing. We provide transparent billing with regular invoices and itemised charges. Payment is due within 30 days of invoicing unless otherwise agreed.

We reserve the right to suspend services if payment is overdue by more than 15 days and to cease services if payment remains outstanding for more than 30 days. Late payment may incur interest at the rate of 8% per annum or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower.

5. Scope and Changes

The scope of services is defined in our engagement letter. Changes to scope require mutual written agreement and may result in adjustment to fees and timeline. We will communicate any proposed changes and associated cost implications before proceeding.

6. Confidentiality

All information provided to us and all work product are treated as strictly confidential. We maintain confidentiality obligations both during and after the engagement. However, we reserve the right to disclose information where:

• Required by law or court order
• Required by regulatory authorities or professional bodies
• Necessary to defend ourselves against claims
• Shared with professional advisers bound by confidentiality obligations

7. Disclaimers and Limitations

Our services are provided on an "as is" basis. We do not guarantee specific results, and any advice is based on information provided and applicable law as understood at the time of delivery. Legal advice is not a guarantee of outcome in any matter.

Our liability for any claim arising from our services is limited to the amount of fees paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim. We do not accept liability for:

• Indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits or business opportunities
• Damages arising from your failure to act on our advice
• Changes in law or regulatory interpretation after advice is delivered

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Aether and its practitioners from any claims, damages, or costs arising from your use of our services, your breach of these terms, or your provision of false or misleading information.

9. Conflicts of Interest

We maintain policies to identify and manage conflicts of interest. If a conflict is identified, we will disclose it and discuss with you whether we can proceed or should withdraw. We will not represent conflicting interests without explicit written consent from all affected parties.

10. Termination

Either party may terminate an engagement by providing written notice. Upon termination, we will return your documents and cease work. You remain responsible for payment of work completed and reasonable expenses incurred. We reserve the right to retain a copy of our work product for our files and to comply with professional obligations.

11. Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising from our engagement is governed by Hong Kong law. We encourage resolution through informal discussion and negotiation. If negotiation is unsuccessful, either party may pursue arbitration under Hong Kong law.

Courts of Hong Kong have jurisdiction to hear any dispute, and both parties consent to this jurisdiction.

12. Entire Agreement

These Terms & Conditions, together with our engagement letter, constitute the entire agreement between us regarding the provision of legal services. Any prior or contemporaneous communications are superseded unless expressly stated otherwise in writing.

13. Changes to Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated to you. Your continued use of our services indicates acceptance of the updated terms.

14. Contact Us