Public offer

Individual Entrepreneur Andrei Viktorovich Svirin, INN 772872317733, OGRNIP 322774600176722, hereinafter the “Service Provider”, hereby offers individuals, individual entrepreneurs and legal entities, hereinafter the “Client”, the opportunity to enter into a contract for the provision of services for consideration on the terms set out below. The Offer is published at the following Internet address: https://himik.moscow/legal/public-offer/

1. Terms and Status of the Document

1.1. Offer means this document, which contains the general terms of the contract and is addressed to an indefinite group of persons within the meaning of paragraph 2 of Article 437 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation.

1.2. Request means an inquiry from the Client through the website, by email, messenger, telephone or another means, describing the object and the proposed questions. A Request in itself does not constitute acceptance of the Offer and does not oblige the Service Provider to undertake the examination.

1.3. Order Invoice means a paper document, electronic document or electronic message prepared by the Service Provider that defines the individual terms of a particular order: the type of service, object, questions, materials, price, payment procedure, time frame, format of the result and other particulars. The Order Invoice becomes part of the contract upon acceptance of the Offer.

1.4. Services means the contractual out-of-court examination of an object, review of an expert report or specialist report, consultation on matters requiring specialist knowledge and preparation of the corresponding written result, as well as other actions expressly listed in the Order Invoice. The Services are provided within the scope of the Service Provider's specialist knowledge and competence.

1.5. Specialist Report means the written result of a contractual out-of-court examination, containing a description of the actions performed, professional judgments and conclusions within the specialist's competence. If a review, consultation or other result is ordered, its title, content and format are determined by the Order Invoice.

1.6. Object means an item, equipment, document, digital data, premises, structure, material, sample or other subject of examination specified in the Order Invoice.

1.7. Materials means documents, copies of case materials, images, audio and video recordings, digital data, links, information, samples and other data provided for examination by the Client, their representative/defence counsel or another person with a lawful basis for transferring them.

1.8. Client means an individual, individual entrepreneur or legal entity that has entered into a contract with the Service Provider by accepting this Offer. The terms of the Offer apply to Clients regardless of their legal status, unless otherwise expressly provided by mandatory provisions of the legislation of the Russian Federation. If legislation grants additional rights and guarantees to a particular category of Clients, the provisions of the Offer do not restrict such rights and guarantees. The Client may order an examination in the interests of another person if this complies with the law and the nature of the service. The recipient of the result is specified separately; such an order in itself does not confirm authority to represent another person or that person's consent to the processing of their data.

1.9. Payer means the Client or a third party that pays for a particular Order Invoice on the Client's instructions or in the Client's interests. Payment by a third party in itself does not make that party the Client or the recipient of the Specialist Report and does not give that party the right to demand a predetermined conclusion. The recipient of the result is designated by the Client, taking into account confirmed authority and legal requirements.

1.10. Representative/defence counsel means an advocate, defence counsel, representative of the Client or another authorised person who may, on the Client's instructions, transfer materials, formulate questions and receive the result within the scope of confirmed authority. Authority is confirmed by a written message from the Client through an agreed communication channel, a power of attorney, an advocate's warrant or another method provided by law, taking into account the nature of the particular action and the content of the relevant document. The Service Provider may request confirmation of authority. Authority to transfer materials in itself does not imply authority to change the assignment, approve additional expenses or receive the result.

2. Conclusion of the Contract and Acceptance

2.1. Before preparing an Order Invoice, the Service Provider may assess whether the materials are sufficient, the assignment falls within their competence, there is no conflict of interest, the time frame can be met and the necessary conditions are in place. Before acceptance, the Service Provider may decline to prepare an Order Invoice without giving reasons.

2.2. Full and unconditional acceptance of the Offer consists of full payment for the services, or partial payment expressly provided for in the Order Invoice, by the Client or by a third party on the Client's behalf and instructions. Where payment is made by a third party, the Client's intention to enter into the contract and the allocation of the payment to a particular Order Invoice must be confirmed by agreed correspondence, a statement of the payment purpose or other reliable information. The amount of the payment constituting acceptance of the Offer is specified in the Order Invoice. In the case of partial payment, the amount paid forms part of the total cost of the services and is credited in the final settlement. The Order Invoice must contain a reference to the Offer and the date of its version. Where online payment is used, acceptance also consists of the Client simultaneously ticking the box indicating agreement with the Offer and making the payment provided for in the Order Invoice. The Client may accept the terms of this Offer only by acceding to them in their entirety. Partial acceptance of the Offer, conditional acceptance or acceptance with reservations is not permitted. The individual terms of a particular order are determined by the Order Invoice and are deemed agreed simultaneously with acceptance of the Offer.

2.3. The contract is deemed concluded when the payment constituting acceptance of the Offer is credited to the Service Provider's account or when such payment is confirmed by the payment operator. The requirement for the contract to be in writing is deemed satisfied.

2.4. The contract consists of the Offer, the accepted Order Invoice, the Request and the documents and messages agreed by the Parties. Separately signing a paper contract or individual assignment is not required to accept the Offer in the manner it provides, although the Parties may agree to prepare and sign them on paper. The use of electronic documents and electronic exchange channels is not mandatory.

2.5. The Order Invoice is an integral part of the concluded contract and contains the individual terms of a particular order, including the type of examination, object, questions, materials, cost, payment procedure, time frame and other agreed particulars of the provision of services. If there is a discrepancy between the general terms of the Offer and the specific terms of the Order Invoice, the terms of the Order Invoice apply, provided that they do not conflict with mandatory requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation or restrict the rights granted to the Client by such requirements.

2.6. The Service Provider may amend and supplement this Offer by publishing a new version at the address specified in this Offer. The new version applies only to contracts accepted after the date of its publication and does not change the terms of previously concluded contracts. Separate notification of persons who have not accepted the Offer about the publication of a new version is not required. The version of the Offer specified in the relevant Order Invoice applies to a previously concluded contract. The terms of an already concluded contract may be changed by written agreement of the Parties, including by means of an addendum, a new Order Invoice or an exchange of electronic messages that reliably establishes the intentions of the Parties. The Service Provider may, without separate notice, correct obvious typographical errors, technical errors and inaccuracies in the published text, provided that such corrections do not change the subject matter, cost, time frames, payment procedure, scope of the Parties' obligations or other terms of previously concluded contracts. The Service Provider maintains an archive of versions of the Offer and information about their periods of validity.

2.7. The Order Invoice may be provided to the Client on paper in person, by post or by a delivery service, or sent to an agreed email address, including as a PDF file or the text of an electronic message, through an electronic document management system or another agreed channel. The method of provision is agreed by the Parties; an electronic format is not mandatory. Before making the payment constituting acceptance, the Client is provided with the individual terms of the order and the applicable version of the Offer on paper or electronically, including by means of a link. Separately signing the Order Invoice is not required unless a different procedure is expressly established in it or by law. Merely providing the Order Invoice without the prescribed acceptance does not mean that a contract has been concluded.

3. Subject Matter and Scope of Services

3.1. The Service Provider undertakes to perform the work expressly agreed in the Order Invoice, within their competence and under conditions permitted by law, and to provide the stipulated result to the Client or an authorised recipient. The Client undertakes to provide the necessary materials and to accept and pay for the services.

3.2. The type of service, object, questions, list of materials, title and format of the result, cost, time frame and special conditions are determined in the Order Invoice. The provisions of the Offer on delivery of the Specialist Report and acceptance of services also apply to a review and any other agreed result to the relevant extent.

3.3. The Service Provider examines only the objects, materials and questions that have been agreed. New objects, additional questions, a repeat inspection, analysis of materials submitted later and preparation of supplements constitute additional services unless otherwise agreed in writing.

3.4. The Client may submit the Specialist Report to a court, government authority, seller, manufacturer, insurer or another person. The Service Provider does not guarantee that it will be admitted to the record, accepted or assessed in a particular way by a third party.

3.5. The service does not include legal representation, preparation of procedural documents, assessment of the prospects of a dispute or participation in hearings. Concluding a contract under the Offer does not in itself constitute the appointment of a forensic examination by a procedural act. Where an examination is appointed by a court, investigator or another authorised body, the relevant procedural legislation and the appointment document apply; the Offer does not replace them.

4. Independence and Quality of the Examination

4.1. The Service Provider signing the Report remains independent, has no financial or other interest in a predetermined result and formulates conclusions on the basis of specialist knowledge, the materials examined and the methods applied.

4.2. The Client may not exert pressure, demand the exclusion of unfavourable information, the selection of a method contrary to the specialist's professional opinion or a predetermined conclusion.

4.3. Payment is due for the activities involved in carrying out the examination and preparing the Report, rather than for obtaining a result that matches the Client's expectations or legal position.

4.4. The Client's disagreement with objectively substantiated conclusions, failure to obtain the expected result or a third party's refusal to accept the Report do not in themselves indicate inadequate quality of the service.

4.5. The Service Provider corrects typographical, arithmetic and other obvious technical errors they have made at no additional charge. Changes to the assignment, examination of new materials or preparation of new conclusions are charged separately.

4.6. The Service Provider accepts the assignment within the scope of their specialist knowledge and confirmed qualifications, and assesses the sufficiency of the initial data, the origin, condition and suitability of samples, the methods and the limits of possible conclusions. The need for sampling, laboratory work and the involvement of specialist service providers, including an accredited laboratory where required, is agreed with the Client for the particular task.

The choice of examination method and the evidentiary value of the result depend on the assignment, the properties of the object, the quality of the initial data and the sampling method. Laboratory work and the involvement of specialist service providers are determined and agreed separately; the contract does not replace the procedural appointment of a forensic examination.

4.7. Specific information about the Service Provider's education, professional retraining, continuing professional development, certification and other documents relevant to the examination concerned may be stated in the Order Invoice, the Specialist Report or its appendices.

4.8. At the Client's request, the Service Provider provides, for review, information about education and qualification documents relevant to the subject matter of the agreed examination. Copies of documents may be provided with information unrelated to confirmation of qualifications redacted.

4.9. Representations concerning education, qualifications and the absence of impediments to carrying out the activity do not constitute a guarantee of a predetermined conclusion of the examination, acceptance of the Specialist Report by a court, government authority or another person, or the Client's achievement of a particular judicial, administrative, insurance or commercial outcome.

4.10. If, after the contract has been concluded, the Service Provider establishes that the agreed questions fall wholly or partly outside the scope of their specialist knowledge or that answering them requires a specialist with different qualifications, the Service Provider notifies the Client and proposes changing the assignment, engaging the appropriate specialist or discontinuing performance in the relevant part, with settlement in accordance with the rules of this Offer.

5. Rights and Obligations of the Service Provider

5.1. The Service Provider must act in good faith, comply with the agreed scope of services, ensure the safekeeping of objects and materials received, refrain from disclosing confidential information and inform the Client if it is found that the examination cannot be continued.

5.2. The Service Provider may independently select scientifically and methodologically substantiated examination methods within the scope of the assignment, unless special conditions are agreed in the Order Invoice.

5.3. The Service Provider may request additional materials, documents, samples, explanations and access to the object, and may suspend the time frame for providing the services until they are received.

5.4. The Service Provider may decline to prepare the Report or propose changing the assignment if the questions fall outside the scope of their specialist knowledge, the materials are insufficient or unsuitable, the object has been lost or altered, a conflict of interest has been identified, the examination is dangerous or unlawful, or the necessary conditions are absent.

5.5. The Report is signed personally by the Service Provider unless otherwise specified in the Order Invoice. Auxiliary operations, laboratory tests, measurements and consultations may be entrusted to external specialists or laboratories after prior agreement of the expenses with the Client. The fact and results of such involvement are reflected in the Report where relevant.

5.6. The Service Provider may send requests to third parties, but does not guarantee a response and does not acquire any official powers under this contract to demand information.

6. Rights and Obligations of the Client

6.1. The Client must provide complete and accurate information about the object and the presumed source of impact, the circumstances in which traces were detected and recorded, the place, time and method of sampling, packaging, storage, movement, previous measurements and examinations, if these circumstances may affect the conclusions.

6.2. The Client ensures that there are lawful grounds for obtaining and transferring the object and materials, the necessary permissions, consents or other grounds provided by law for their use in the agreed examination. If materials are transferred by a representative/defence counsel or another person, the Client informs the Service Provider of this. The Service Provider may request confirmation of authority and the legal basis for the transfer. Representations by the Client or the person making the transfer do not release the Service Provider from their own obligations to comply with legislation.

6.3. The Client must ensure safe access to the object and the necessary passes, lighting, power supply and escort if required by the Order Invoice.

6.4. The Client must respond promptly to the Service Provider's requests, approve additional expenses, accept the result and make payment.

6.5. The Client may obtain information on the progress of the work to an extent that does not compromise the independence of the examination, and may submit substantiated comments concerning the conformity of the service with the Order Invoice.

6.6. The Client must give warning of hazardous properties of the object and of biological, chemical, radiation, electrical, mechanical and other risks. Expenses and losses caused by concealment of such information are compensated in the manner prescribed by law.

6.7. The Client or the person transferring the materials reports any known restrictions on their use and disclosure, including state secrets, commercial secrets, advocate–client privilege, medical confidentiality and other legally protected secrets, information from a preliminary investigation and special categories of personal data. Such materials are transferred only where there is a proper legal basis and the conditions required by the relevant regime are in place. The mere act of sending materials does not override restrictions established by law.

7. Transfer, Examination and Return of the Object

7.1. The transfer of a physical object, original documents and samples is documented by a transfer certificate, receipt, inventory of enclosures, courier document or other evidence allowing the subject matter, condition and date of transfer to be established.

7.2. Upon receipt, the names and quantities of samples and other objects, the place, time and method of sampling, labelling, packaging, delivery conditions, seals, condition and accompanying documents are recorded where possible. Latent properties that cannot be established during ordinary receipt are not deemed to have arisen while in the Service Provider's possession without corresponding evidence.

7.3. Sampling and consumption of samples, opening of packaging and seals or other alteration of the object are permitted with separate written agreement with the Client, or if the nature, extent and consequences of the relevant actions are expressly specified in the Order Invoice. The sampling and documentation procedure is agreed taking into account the purpose of the examination and applicable requirements.

7.4. If the agreed examination method involves consuming a sample or changing its properties, any remaining portion suitable for return is returned if available. Normal consumption of the agreed quantity is not regarded as damage. Special storage conditions and the maximum periods for which samples remain suitable are agreed before their transfer.

7.5. Remaining samples and other objects are returned by the method and at the expense of the party specified in the Order Invoice, taking into account transport conditions and preservation. Objects that cannot be safely returned or stored further are accepted only after a separate agreement on how they are to be handled.

7.6. The general storage period for objects after notification that they are ready for return is 30 calendar days, unless a different period is established by the Order Invoice. For samples with limited stability or subject to special conditions, the conditions, storage period and subsequent actions are agreed before transfer. A charge for additional storage is permitted only if its amount or the method for determining it has been agreed in advance. The Service Provider invites the Client to collect the remaining object or agree on shipment; ownership of it does not pass to the Service Provider.

7.7. To the extent necessary to fulfil the agreed order, technical copying of materials, creation of working electronic copies, scanning, text recognition and format conversion are permitted. Such actions do not give the Service Provider the right to use the materials for other purposes, publish them or transfer them to unauthorised persons. Original documents, physical media and objects are not altered or destroyed without separate written agreement, except for agreed interventions provided for in clauses 7.3 and 7.4.

7.8. Electronic working copies and received files, including copies in email and the storage systems used, are retained only to the extent necessary and for a period justified by performance of the particular contract, mandatory retention periods or an independent lawful basis for protecting the Parties' rights. Excess working copies are deleted once they are no longer needed. Once the purpose has been achieved, the applicable period has expired or the legal basis has ceased, the data are deleted or destroyed within the periods prescribed by law. The conditions and periods for processing personal data are determined by the Personal Data Processing Policy; inquiries that do not result in a contract are subject to the period established by that Policy of no more than 90 calendar days from the last substantive message. This clause does not authorise indefinite retention of all materials and does not imply destruction of originals or physical objects that must be returned.

8. Cost and Payments

8.1. The cost, payment procedure and payment deadlines are specified in the Order Invoice. Unless otherwise specified, services are subject to 100-percent advance payment.

8.2. The Order Invoice may provide for 100-percent advance payment or partial payment followed by payment of the remaining cost. The amount of the payment constituting acceptance of the Offer, the remaining cost and its payment deadline are specified in the Order Invoice.

8.3. In the case of partial payment, the amount paid is credited in full towards the total cost of the services and is not a separate fee for concluding the contract, an earnest-money deposit, a penalty or a commission.

8.4. Payment may be made by the Client or by a third party on the Client's behalf. Where payment is made by a third party, the payment reference or a message to the Service Provider must state the number and date of the Order Invoice, information about the Client, or other information that reliably identifies the order being paid for. The Client's obligation to make the relevant payment is deemed fulfilled to the extent paid from the moment the funds are credited to the Service Provider's account or the payment is confirmed by the payment operator.

8.5. If the Order Invoice provides for payment of the remaining portion of the price after completion of the examination, the Service Provider sends the Client a notice that the Specialist Report is ready and states the amount payable. Unless the Order Invoice establishes a different deadline, the remaining portion of the price must be paid within 3 business days from the date that notice is sent.

8.6. If the Order Invoice provides for payment of the remaining portion of the price after notification that the Specialist Report is ready, the Specialist Report is delivered to the Client after the service fee has been paid in full, unless the Order Invoice expressly establishes a different procedure. If notice that the Specialist Report is ready is sent on time, withholding its delivery until full payment has been received is not considered a breach of the service delivery deadline.

8.7. The value added tax status is stated in the Order Invoice and payment documents.

8.8. Laboratory testing, rental of special equipment, delivery, travel expenses, services of persons engaged and other expenses are not included in the price unless this is expressly stated in the Order Invoice. They are incurred after prior written agreement on the amount or expense limit.

8.9. The Service Provider issues a cash register receipt or another payment document in the cases and in the manner provided for by law. When an advance payment is received and subsequently applied, when final settlement is made, when funds are refunded and in other settlements, cash register receipts are generated with the appropriate settlement and payment method attributes in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation. The cash register receipt is sent to the email address or subscriber telephone number provided by the Client, or delivered by another method provided for by law.

8.10. This Offer establishes no contractual penalty, fine or late payment charge for delayed payment. In the event of delayed payment, the Service Provider may suspend the provision of services or delivery of the Specialist Report until the amount provided for in the Order Invoice has been received, after notifying the Client in advance. The absence of a contractual penalty does not release the Client from the obligation to pay for services actually rendered and agreed expenses.

9. Service delivery period

9.1. The period is stated in the Order Invoice and begins on the next business day after the last of the necessary events has occurred: receipt of the payment provided for in the Order Invoice that constitutes acceptance of the Offer, receipt of the object, a complete set of materials, access to the object and mandatory approvals.

9.2. The period is suspended while awaiting materials, answers, access, consent to destructive methods, payment of agreed expenses, elimination of hazardous conditions, and in the event of other obstacles dependent on the Client or third parties.

9.3. If the scope identified substantially exceeds the scope initially anticipated or additional examination is required, the Service Provider sends a proposal to change the period and price. Without agreement, only the initial scope is performed, if technically possible.

9.4. The Service Provider notifies the Client of the delay and the expected new completion date through the agreed communication channel.

10. Delivery of the result and acceptance of services

10.1. The Report is delivered electronically and/or on paper in accordance with the Order Invoice. An electronic copy may be delivered by email, through an electronic document management system, secure storage or another agreed channel. Delivery of the Specialist Report to a representative or another recipient designated by the Client is permitted after confirmation of that person's authority to receive the result. The mere fact of payment or submission of materials is not sufficient grounds for issuing the Report to that person.

10.2. The Service Provider delivers a Certificate of Services Rendered together with the result or separately. As agreed by the Parties, the Certificate is provided on paper in person, by post or through a delivery service, or is sent to the agreed email address as a PDF file, a scanned copy of the signed document or an electronic document signed with an electronic signature, through an electronic document management system or by another agreed method. An electronic format is not mandatory. Providing the Certificate does not in itself mean that it has been signed by the Client; the acceptance procedure is determined by clauses 10.3 and 10.4.

10.3. Within 5 business days from the date of receipt of the Specialist Report and the Certificate of Services Rendered, the Client may sign the Certificate, send reasoned written comments identifying specific nonconformities with the terms of the Order Invoice, or request clarification regarding the delivery procedure or preparation of the result.

10.4. If no reasoned comments are received within the established period, the Service Provider may consider the services accepted within the agreed scope and draw up a unilateral Certificate with evidence that the Specialist Report and the Certificate were sent to the Client attached. Failure to sign the Certificate does not in itself release the Client from payment. This clause does not limit the Client's right to submit claims concerning deficiencies in the service in the cases and within the periods provided for by the legislation of the Russian Federation.

10.5. An electronic message is considered sent to the address or number provided by the Client. Legally significant messages are deemed delivered in accordance with Article 165.1 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, including when they have reached the recipient but have not been read due to circumstances dependent on the recipient.

11. Withdrawal from the contract and impossibility of performance

11.1. The Client may withdraw from performance of the contract at any time before the services have been fully rendered by sending a notice to the Service Provider at zapros@himik.moscow or to the Service Provider's postal address. Upon withdrawal, the Client reimburses only documented expenses actually incurred by the Service Provider in connection with performance of the specific Order Invoice before receipt of the withdrawal notice. No penalty or other separate fee is charged for withdrawal from the contract. The unused portion of the payment previously made is refunded to the Client after the amount of expenses actually incurred has been determined. If the expenses actually incurred exceed the amount of payment received, the Client pays the corresponding difference on the basis of the calculation and supporting documents sent by the Service Provider.

11.2. The amount of expenses actually incurred is determined on the basis of payment documents, documents from the laboratories and specialists engaged, delivery expenses, equipment rental expenses, the purchase of materials and other evidence of expenses directly related to performance of the specific order. The allocation of the price by stages stated in the Order Invoice may be used to inform the Client of the progress of performance, but does not in itself constitute a penalty or a predetermined nonrefundable amount.

11.3. If performance becomes impossible due to circumstances dependent on the Client, the consequences are determined by the legislation of the Russian Federation, taking into account the scope of actions actually performed and the expenses incurred by the Service Provider. If performance becomes impossible due to circumstances for which neither Party is responsible, the Client reimburses documented expenses actually incurred, unless otherwise provided by mandatory provisions of the legislation of the Russian Federation.

11.4. The Service Provider may withdraw from performance only in the cases and with the consequences permitted by law, including a refund of the unearned portion of the payment and compensation for the Client's losses where such an obligation is established.

11.5. If it is impossible to prepare the Report, the Service Provider sends a reasoned notice and a calculation of the portion actually performed. By agreement, an informational report on the actions performed may be prepared without answers to the questions.

12. Confidentiality and personal data

12.1. The Service Provider maintains the confidentiality of information received during performance of the contract. Access and disclosure are permitted only to the extent necessary where an appropriate legal basis exists: for performance of the contract, participation of an agreed specialist or laboratory, delivery of the result to an authorised recipient designated by the Client, protection of rights or compliance with legal requirements. These cases do not override special restrictions on disclosure of legally protected secrets or processing of personal data.

12.2. Use of the Client's name, business name or trademark, information about the person in whose interests the examination is conducted, the contents of the result, case materials or information about the object in advertising, portfolios and publications is permitted where separate consent from the relevant person or another applicable legal basis exists. The Client's consent does not in itself authorise disclosure of other persons' personal data or protected information.

12.3. Personal data are processed to the extent necessary to receive the Request, conclude and perform the contract, make settlements, examine materials, prepare and deliver the result, create necessary working copies, arrange delivery and consider inquiries. Detailed terms are set out in the Personal Data Processing Policy at: https://himik.moscow/legal/privacy-policy/

12.4. Do not submit special categories of personal data or restricted-access information that are unnecessary for the agreed service. If such information is objectively necessary, the Parties determine the applicable legal basis, permissible scope and safeguards before its disclosure. Ordinary acceptance of the Offer is insufficient to replace special consent, authorization or another procedure required by law. In the absence of a proper basis, the information is not used to provide the service; the Service Provider ensures that access is restricted and the information is deleted in the manner provided for by law.

12.5. When working with criminal case materials, the applicable requirements of Article 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation are observed. If the provision of information to a specialist is permitted on condition of a written nondisclosure undertaking, that undertaking is executed separately before the relevant disclosure; acceptance of the Offer does not replace it. A proper warning that disclosure is prohibited and the authorizations provided for by law are taken into account when using the materials and delivering the result.

12.6. The obligation to maintain confidentiality continues after performance or termination of the contract within the restrictions established by law and agreed by the Parties. Returning or deleting materials does not authorise disclosure of confidential information previously received.

13. Liability

13.1. The Parties are liable in accordance with the law and the contract.

13.2. The Service Provider is not liable for the consequences of inaccurate, incomplete or untimely information provided by the Client, for changes to the object before or after its examination, or for decisions of third parties, where the Service Provider is not at fault.

13.3. The Service Provider does not guarantee any particular judicial, administrative, insurance, commercial or other outcome.

13.4. The terms of this Offer do not apply to the extent that they limit the Client's rights granted by mandatory provisions of the legislation of the Russian Federation. Providing the same or more favourable contractual terms to all Clients does not change the legal status of the Parties as determined by law.

13.5. A Party is released from liability for a breach caused by extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances if it promptly notifies the other Party and substantiates their effect on performance.

14. Exchange of messages, claims and disputes

14.1. The Parties may exchange documents on paper in person, by post or through a delivery service and, by agreement, documents and messages by email, through a messenger, an electronic document management system and other channels that allow the sender and content to be established. The method of exchange is agreed by the Parties; electronic exchange is not mandatory.

14.2. General and contractual inquiries are sent to zapros@himik.moscow; notices of withdrawal from the contract — to zapros@himik.moscow; requests for refunds — to zapros@himik.moscow; claims — to zapros@himik.moscow; inquiries concerning personal data processing — to zapros@himik.moscow. The Service Provider's postal address: 117647, Moscow, P.O. Box 15.

14.3. A claim must contain information allowing the Client and the relevant Order Invoice to be identified, a description of the circumstances, a stated demand and supporting materials. The Service Provider considers the claim within the period established by the legislation of the Russian Federation. If no mandatory period is established by law, a response is sent within 15 business days from the date the claim is received.

14.4. The Parties seek to resolve disagreements through negotiations and the exchange of written inquiries. If a dispute cannot be resolved through negotiations, it is referred to a court in accordance with the rules of subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction established by the legislation of the Russian Federation. This Offer does not limit the Client's right to choose a court in cases where that right is granted by law.

14.5. The invalidity of an individual term does not entail the invalidity of the remaining provisions.

14.6. Email addresses and other channels for contractual exchanges are specified in the Order Invoice or agreed correspondence that allows the Parties to be reliably identified. The Order Invoice, materials, result, Certificate, comments, notices and approvals may be sent through them. If there are doubts concerning the sender or authority, the Service Provider may request confirmation. A change in the contact address or the recipient of the result is confirmed by the Client through the previously agreed channel or another reliable method.

14.7. The Parties permit the exchange of scanned copies of signed documents for contractual interaction and confirmation of the content of correspondence, unless mandatory legal requirements establish another form. A scanned copy is not automatically considered an electronic original bearing a qualified electronic signature. An electronic document may be signed with a simple or unqualified electronic signature where a procedure provided for by law or separately agreed by the Parties exists that allows the signatory to be identified. If necessary, the Parties agree on the exchange of paper originals or the use of an electronic document management system. The mere act of sending a document does not replace the recipient's consent or signature.

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