Legal Policies & Terms

Terms of Service

1. About Our Services

Legal Entity: Zhizhen Legal Services, a professional legal practice registered in Ningbo, China.

Licensed Attorney: Richard Ruan, Esq., licensed by the Ningbo Bar Association (License #: [To be provided]).

Services: Cross-border legal advisory, contract review, corporate compliance, dispute resolution, and related legal services.

2. Engagement and Scope

Legal representation begins only after:

• Written agreement or engagement letter execution
• Payment of required retainer or fees
• Confirmation of no conflicts of interest
• Mutual agreement on scope of representation

3. Fees and Payment Terms

Fee Structure:

• Contract Review: $200 per contract
• Legal Advisory: $300 per hour
• Dispute Resolution: $400 per hour
• Free initial consultation: 30 minutes

Payment Terms:

• Payment due within 15 days of invoice date
• Late payments subject to 1.5% monthly service charge
• Retainers required for ongoing representation
• All fees quoted in US Dollars unless otherwise specified

Accepted Payment Methods: Credit cards, bank transfers, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and SWIFT transfers for international clients.

4. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to:

• Provide complete and accurate information
• Respond promptly to requests for information
• Pay fees and costs as agreed
• Follow legal advice and recommendations
• Maintain confidentiality of legal strategies

5. Limitations and Disclaimers

No Guarantee of Results: Legal outcomes cannot be guaranteed. We provide professional advice based on applicable law and available information.

Scope Limitations: Our representation is limited to matters specifically agreed upon in writing. We do not provide advice outside our areas of expertise.

Jurisdiction: Our practice focuses on Chinese law and cross-border matters. We do not provide advice on laws of other jurisdictions unless specifically qualified to do so.

6. Professional Standards

We adhere to:

• Professional conduct rules of the Ningbo Bar Association
• Attorney-client privilege and confidentiality requirements
• Conflict of interest identification and management
• Continuing legal education and professional development

7. Termination

Either party may terminate representation with written notice. Upon termination:

• Client remains responsible for all fees incurred
• We will provide reasonable transition assistance
• Client files will be returned or retained per professional standards
• Confidentiality obligations continue indefinitely

8. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from our professional relationship shall be resolved through:

1. Good faith negotiation between the parties
2. Mediation by a qualified neutral mediator
3. Arbitration under applicable arbitration rules
4. Courts of competent jurisdiction in Ningbo, China

9. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China. Professional conduct is governed by applicable bar association rules and legal profession regulations.

Last updated: January 2025

Refund & Cancellation Policy

1. General Refund Principles

Refunds are evaluated based on:

• Work completed and delivered
• Time and resources invested
• Value provided to the client
• Circumstances of the request

2. Service-Specific Refund Terms

Contract Review Services ($200 per contract):

• Full Refund: Available if requested within 2 hours of payment, before document review begins
• Partial Refund: 50% if work is in progress but not delivered
• No Refund: After completed review report is delivered

Hourly Legal Advisory ($300/hour):

• Full Refund: Unused prepaid hours
• Partial Refund: Prorated based on actual time spent
• No Refund: For time already spent in consultation or work

Dispute Resolution ($400/hour):

• Full Refund: If engagement is cancelled before substantial work begins
• Partial Refund: Unused retainer funds after case conclusion
• No Refund: For work performed, court fees, or third-party costs

3. Refund Eligibility

Eligible for Full or Partial Refund:

• Service cancellation before work begins
• Our inability to provide promised services
• Documented service quality issues
• Mutual agreement to terminate engagement

Not Eligible for Refund:

• Work completed as agreed
• Client dissatisfaction with legal outcomes
• Changes in client circumstances
• Third-party costs already incurred
• Court fees, filing fees, or government charges

4. Refund Process

How to Request a Refund:

1. Submit written request to zhizhenruan85@gmail.com
2. Include payment reference number and reason for request
3. Provide documentation supporting the refund request
4. Allow 5-10 business days for review and response

Refund Processing Time:

• Credit card refunds: 5-10 business days
• Bank transfer refunds: 3-7 business days
• Digital payment refunds (Alipay/WeChat): 1-3 business days

5. Consultation Cancellation

Free Initial Consultation:

• Can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before appointment
• No-show policy: 24-hour advance notice required for cancellation
• Emergency cancellations accepted with reasonable explanation

Paid Consultations:

• Full refund if cancelled 24+ hours in advance
• 50% refund if cancelled 2-24 hours in advance
• No refund for cancellations less than 2 hours before appointment

6. Quality Assurance

If you're unsatisfied with our services:

1. Contact us immediately to discuss concerns
2. We'll work to resolve issues and improve service quality
3. Additional consultation time may be provided at no charge
4. Refunds considered on case-by-case basis

7. Special Circumstances

Emergency Situations: Refund policies may be adjusted for genuine emergencies or unforeseen circumstances affecting service delivery.

Force Majeure: Natural disasters, government actions, or other events beyond our control may affect refund eligibility and processing times.

8. Dispute Resolution

Refund disputes will be handled through:

1. Direct discussion with our team
2. Review by senior attorney if needed
3. Mediation by neutral third party
4. Professional grievance procedures as applicable

Last updated: January 2025