Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: February 2026

1. Service Agreement

1.1 Scope of Services

Securicon Ltd ("we," "us," or "our") provides:

• Private investigation services
• Security consulting and risk assessments
• Surveillance and monitoring services
• Background checks and due diligence
• Fraud investigation and detection
• Process serving and court-related services

1.2 Client Responsibilities

Clients must:

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Have lawful authority to request investigations
• Not use services for illegal purposes
• Maintain confidentiality of investigative methods
• Pay fees according to agreed terms
• Notify us immediately of any changes affecting the investigation

1.3 Engagement Process

1. Initial Consultation: Free confidential discussion (30 min)
2. Quote Provision: Detailed written quote with scope and fees
3. Agreement Signing: Formal service agreement required
4. Deposit Payment: Typically 50% upfront for investigation cases
5. Commencement: Work begins upon receipt of signed agreement and deposit

2. Fees and Payment

2.1 Fee Structure

• Hourly Rate: Varies by complexity and specialist requirements ($150-$250/hour + GST)
• Fixed Fee: Available for defined scope projects (e.g., background checks)
• Retainer: Available for ongoing corporate clients
• Expenses: Additional costs (travel, accommodation, specialist equipment) charged separately

2.2 Payment Terms

• Deposit: 50% deposit required before work commences
• Invoicing: Monthly invoices for ongoing cases, or final invoice upon completion
• Payment Due: Within 7 days of invoice date
• Late Payment: Interest charged at 2% per month on overdue amounts
• Accepted Methods: Bank transfer, credit/debit card, cash (up to $1,000)

2.3 Disbursements

Additional costs may include:

• Travel (mileage, flights, accommodation)
• Specialist equipment hire
• Database searches and public record fees
• Court filing fees and process serving
• Expert witness fees
• Report reproduction and binding

All disbursements require client approval in advance unless pre-authorized.

3. Confidentiality

3.1 Our Obligations

We maintain strict confidentiality:

• All case information is treated as confidential
• Client identity protected unless legally required to disclose
• Investigation methods and findings not disclosed to third parties
• Staff bound by confidentiality agreements
• Secure storage and disposal of sensitive materials

3.2 Client Obligations

Clients must:

• Not disclose our investigation methods or techniques
• Maintain confidentiality of reports and findings
• Not publicly attribute findings to Securicon without permission
• Use findings only for lawful purposes

3.3 Exceptions

Confidentiality may be breached when:

• Required by court order or legal process
• Necessary to prevent imminent harm
• Investigating potential criminal activity
• With client's explicit written consent

4. Limitation of Liability

4.1 No Guarantee of Results

Important: We cannot guarantee specific outcomes. Investigations depend on:

• Availability and quality of information
• Cooperation from third parties
• Lawful access to information
• Subject's behavior and circumstances

4.2 Liability Limitations

Our liability is limited to:

• Direct Damages: Maximum liability is fees paid for the specific service
• Excluded Damages: Not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
• Professional Indemnity: We maintain $2 million professional indemnity insurance
• Time Limits: Claims must be made within 6 months of service completion

4.3 Not Liable For

• Information provided by third parties
• Actions taken by clients based on our findings
• Changes in circumstances after investigation
• Legal proceedings outcomes
• Client's failure to act on findings

5. Legal and Ethical Compliance

5.1 Licensing and Regulation

Securicon operates under:

• PSPLA License: 24-123309 (Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010)
• Privacy Act 2020: Full compliance with Information Privacy Principles
• Professional Standards: Member of NZ Professional Investigators Association

5.2 Lawful Investigations Only

We will not:

• Conduct illegal surveillance or trespass
• Obtain information through deception or fraud
• Hack or unlawfully access computer systems
• Wiretap or intercept private communications
• Harass or stalk individuals
• Violate court orders or restraining orders

5.3 Right to Refuse

We reserve the right to decline or terminate services if:

• Request is unlawful or unethical
• Client provides false or misleading information
• Payment terms are not met
• Conflict of interest arises
• Client engages in threatening or abusive behavior

6. Reports and Evidence

6.1 Investigation Reports

Our reports include:

• Executive summary of findings
• Detailed chronological narrative
• Supporting evidence and documentation
• Photographs, video, or audio recordings (where applicable)
• Professional opinions and conclusions

6.2 Admissibility

Reports are prepared to be admissible in legal proceedings:

• Factual, objective, and unbiased
• Time-stamped and properly documented
• Chain of custody maintained for evidence
• Investigator available for court testimony (additional fees apply)

6.3 Report Ownership

• Client Ownership: Reports and findings belong to the client
• Our Retention: We retain copies for 7 years (legal requirement)
• Reproduction: Clients may reproduce reports for lawful purposes

7. Cancellation and Termination

7.1 Client Cancellation

• Before Commencement: Full refund minus 10% administration fee
• After Commencement: Pay for work completed plus non-refundable expenses
• Notice Required: 48 hours written notice

7.2 Our Termination Rights

We may terminate if:

• Client breaches these terms
• Non-payment of fees or deposit
• Unlawful instructions or requests
• Conflict of interest discovered
• Investigation becomes unsafe or unethical

7.3 Effect of Termination

• All work stops immediately
• Final invoice issued for work completed
• Materials and findings provided to client (upon full payment)
• Confidentiality obligations continue

8. Intellectual Property

• Investigation Methods: Our proprietary methods and techniques remain our IP
• Report Copyright: Client owns report content, we retain format copyright
• Trademark: "Securicon" and our logo are registered trademarks

9. Dispute Resolution

9.1 Internal Resolution

1. Contact Us: Email info@securicon.co.nz with concerns
2. Investigation: We investigate within 5 working days
3. Resolution: Propose solution within 10 working days

9.2 Mediation

If internal resolution fails:

• Disputes referred to independent mediation
• Costs shared equally between parties
• Both parties commit to good faith participation

9.3 Legal Action

• Jurisdiction: New Zealand courts (Auckland)
• Governing Law: New Zealand law applies
• Time Limit: Legal action must commence within 12 months

10. Insurance and Indemnity

• Professional Indemnity: $2 million coverage
• Public Liability: $5 million coverage
• Client Indemnity: Clients indemnify us against claims arising from their misuse of findings

11. Data Protection and Privacy

See our separate Privacy Policy for detailed information on how we handle personal data in compliance with the Privacy Act 2020.

12. Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures due to:

• Natural disasters, pandemics, or extreme weather
• War, terrorism, or civil unrest
• Government actions or regulatory changes
• Strikes, lockouts, or labor disputes
• Technology failures beyond our control

13. Amendments to Terms

We may update these terms:

• Changes notified via email or website
• Significant changes require acceptance
• Current version always available on website
• Date at top indicates last update

14. Miscellaneous

14.1 Entire Agreement

These terms, together with our service agreement and privacy policy, constitute the entire agreement between parties.

14.2 Severability

If any provision is found invalid, remaining provisions remain in full force.

14.3 Waiver

Failure to enforce any term does not constitute waiver of that term.

14.4 Assignment

Clients may not assign rights without our written consent. We may assign to affiliated companies.

14.5 Third Party Rights

These terms do not create rights for third parties.