1. Scope of application
These General Terms and Conditions (“GTC”) apply to all current and future services provided by Peak Compliance AG (“service provider”) to its clients (“client”), collectively referred to as the parties (“parties”). The parties may agree in writing on provisions deviating from these GTC.
These GTC may be amended by the service provider at any time at the end of a month. If the client does not reject the new GTC within a period of 30 days after notification, they shall be deemed approved.
2. Scope and execution of services
All services to be provided are based on the knowledge and discussions between the service provider and the client at the time of commissioning, as well as the requirements under Swiss law, the regulations/documents of FINMA and/or FMA, and the supervisory and industry organizations.
The employees deployed by the service provider within the framework of the service agreement with the client all have specific training and appropriate experience in the field of the services provided. The service provider guarantees that the execution of the order will be carried out professionally and with due diligence.
The service provider provides the client with all documents and information designated as necessary, which the client can also use with the supervisory authority, the audit company, and consultants, etc.
Should enhanced support or cooperation by the service provider with the client be required in certain areas, the parties mutually agree that this does not constitute any corporate or similar binding relationship.
3. Control rights and accountability of the client in the case of outsourcing
The service provider undertakes to comply with all anti-money laundering regulations related to the delegation of the compliance and risk management function. In addition to applicable laws, this includes in particular any internal directives issued by the client.
At the request of the client, but at least once a year, the service provider shall provide the client with a suitable account of the services it has provided. Any objections to the report must be communicated to the service provider by the client in writing within 14 days of receipt of the report, otherwise the report shall be deemed approved.
The service provider shall grant the client the rights of inspection, instruction, and control necessary for the monitoring of an outsourced business area. This also applies to any existing contracts between the service provider and third parties that explicitly concern the client and with regard to the training and further education courses to be attended by the service provider.
The audit company of the client, the bodies and representatives of the responsible supervisory organization (SO), and FINMA and/or FMA are equally entitled to the full rights of inspection, information, and control corresponding to the outsourced business area at all times.
4. Subcontractors and auxiliary persons
The use of subcontractors or auxiliary persons for the fulfillment of the agreed services by the service provider is only permissible with the prior consent of the client. Furthermore, the service provider may only involve suitable and appropriately qualified subcontractors or auxiliary persons to fulfill the contract.
The client gives the service provider consent to transmit personal data about the client’s employees or customers to subcontractors or auxiliary persons for processing in accordance with the applicable data protection legislation. The same confidentiality and data protection provisions apply to the involved persons as to the employees of the service provider.
The service provider shall inform the client in writing about a planned involvement and, in particular, the tasks to be transferred. The service provider is liable for the services of subcontractors and auxiliary persons as if they were its own work.
The further delegation of the competence center for combating money laundering and the associated duties, as well as the further delegation of due diligence obligations under the AMLA, are prohibited.
5. Client’s cooperation
The client shall ensure that the service provider has access to the necessary, competent, and authorized contacts throughout the duration of the contract.
The client shall provide the service provider with the necessary information and documents required for the provision of services without being prompted and in a timely manner. The service provider may assume that the supplied documents and information are accurate, complete, and lawful. The client’s duty to cooperate also includes the provision of all services necessary for the proper fulfillment of the services covered by this contract by the service provider.
6. Confidentiality / Data protection
The service provider is obliged to treat all information and data obtained in the course of fulfilling the contract as confidential. Confidential information includes, in particular, trade and business secrets, as well as any information received about the nature, scope of operations, and practical activities of the client. Furthermore, the service provider undertakes to maintain absolute confidentiality with respect to the entire content of the consultation and all information and circumstances that come to its attention in connection with the consultation, particularly data from the client’s customers, vis-à-vis third parties.
The duty of confidentiality applies without limitation unless there is a written or email release from this obligation, the information is publicly accessible, or there is a statutory or judicial duty to disclose information. In the event of a statutory or judicial duty to disclose, the service provider will inform the client in advance, if legally permissible, and assist them in measures to prevent the disclosure. This duty of confidentiality continues even after the termination of the contractual relationship. The service provider undertakes to comply with the applicable data protection laws.
The service provider’s privacy policy is published on the website www.peakcompliance.ch. The service provider and auxiliary persons are permitted to process personal data provided by the client or on their behalf to (i) provide the services and (ii) meet the applicable legal and regulatory requirements. By providing an email address and/or other communication means and using any other electronic collaboration platforms, the client agrees to communication with the service provider through such means and assumes all associated risks, such as unauthorized access or damage from viruses or unauthorized third parties.
The service provider disclaims all liability for damages associated with the use of email and/or other communication means and collaboration platforms.
7. Usage Rights
All copyrights and usage rights to all documents or other work results created by the service provider, as well as the know-how developed in the process, remain with the service provider. The service provider grants the client a perpetual, non-exclusive, and non-transferable right to use the documents, products, and other work results provided to them, including the associated know-how, for their own use.
8. Fees and expenses
The fee for consulting services by the service provider is based on either a flat fee or the actual time spent.
- Services provided on an hourly basis are billed at the end of the month.
- Recurring services, flat-rate amounts, and licenses (e.g., for software) are invoiced in advance upon assignment for the agreed period (monthly or otherwise).
A flat fee is agreed upon at the start of the project based on a performance catalog. If circumstances arise leading to higher time expenditures and thus higher costs, the service provider will inform the client in advance. Additional services beyond the originally agreed scope will be charged additionally.
Cost estimates are based on the assessment of the work that will necessarily be required for the task and assume the client’s cooperation. Such estimates are based on the information provided by the client. Cost estimates are not binding for the final calculation of the fee – the actual time spent will be billed.
Business-related expenses and costs will be reimbursed based on the actual costs. The service provider informs the client in advance about incurred expenses and costs. If the service provider involves external third parties to provide a service with the client’s consent, the client is obliged to cover the incurred expenses.
9. Terms of payment
Fee invoices from the service provider are payable within 14 days of receipt. The service provider has the right to request reasonable advance payments at any time. The service provider reserves the right to discontinue services or terminate the mandate if the invoice is not paid by the due date or if an advance is not provided. In the event of late payment, the client will incur additional reminder fees of CHF 30.- per reminder. In case of collection measures (e.g., enforcement), an additional fee of CHF 300.- will be charged. From the time of default, the client owes default interest of 5% per year. The client’s right of set-off is excluded.
10. Termination
Either party may terminate the contract in writing or by email with immediate effect or on a specific date. If the termination is untimely, the terminating party is obliged to compensate the other party for the damage caused. In the event of termination, the services and expenses incurred up to the point of contract termination are to be compensated by the client. Upon termination of the contractual relationship, the service provider will make available to the client their documents and data in an agreed form. The corresponding services of the service provider are chargeable. The service provider is entitled, but not obliged, to retain copies of the client’s documents and data for documentation purposes of the services provided.
11. Non-solicitation
During the duration of this contract and for a period of twelve months after the completion of the consulting services, the client is prohibited from employing or recruiting employees of the service provider. In the event of a breach of this agreement, the client is obliged to pay a contractual penalty/recruitment fee of CHF 25’000.-.
12. Liability
In the event of improper or inadequate performance of the contract, the service provider is always entitled to provide a flawless performance subsequently. The service provider is liable for damages within the legally mandatory framework, namely in cases of unlawful intent or gross negligence. For the negligent breach of its obligations, the liability, insofar as legally permissible, is limited to a maximum of the annual fee for the affected contract.
13. Applicable law and place of jurisdiction
The exclusive place of jurisdiction is the registered office of Peak Compliance AG. Swiss law applies exclusively, to the exclusion of conflict-of-law rules.