{"id":70,"date":"2025-10-19T21:01:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T01:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/?page_id=70"},"modified":"2026-05-14T14:29:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:29:07","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        FAQ\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n    \n    <dl class=\"cu-description cu-component-updated\">\n        \n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-what-types-of-contracts-do-you-review\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    What types of contracts do you review?  \n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-what-types-of-contracts-do-you-review\">\n            \n\n<p>Our team reviews any and all legal agreements between Carleton University and another party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Grant, sub-grant, and contract research agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Course development agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Student exchange agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data sharing agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lease agreements and permissions to enter or use property <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and other non-binding collaboration agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guest speaker agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conference hosting agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Intellectual property agreements, permissions, and licences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Goods, software, and services agreements (through Procurement)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are unsure whether an agreement requires legal review, please feel free to reach out to us for guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-i-just-got-served-with-a-statement-of-claim-what-should-i-do\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    I just got served with a Statement of Claim, what should I do?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-i-just-got-served-with-a-statement-of-claim-what-should-i-do\">\n            \n\n<p>Please contact our office as soon as possible to let us know you have been served. We will request a copy of the claim and manage the next steps from here. You should also send a copy to the Department of Risk Management. <\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-to-whom-can-the-office-of-university-legal-services-provide-legal-advice-and-services\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    To whom can the Office of University Legal Services provide legal advice and services? \n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-to-whom-can-the-office-of-university-legal-services-provide-legal-advice-and-services\">\n            \n\n<p>The Office of University Legal Services represents and advises Carleton University. We can provide advice on all matters relating to University operations, business, and affairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, the Office cannot provide legal support to students, or to staff or faculty in relation to personal matters. If you need personal legal advice, please see the resources available here:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lso.ca\/public-resources\/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal\/law-society-referral-service\">Law Society Referral Service | Law Society of Ontario<\/a> or for Carleton University Students, please visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/ombuds\/helpful-resources\/legal-services\/\">Legal Services \u2013 Ombuds Services<\/a> for further information.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-who-can-approve-and-sign-agreements-on-behalf-of-the-university\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Who can approve and sign agreements on behalf of the University?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-who-can-approve-and-sign-agreements-on-behalf-of-the-university\">\n            \n\n<p>Only those designated University officials or their designees set out in the <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/secretariat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/158\/Signing-Authorities-Policy-Oct-2023-final.pdf\">Signing-Authorities-Policy-Oct-2023-final.pdf<\/a> can approve and sign contracts on behalf of the University.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-what-is-the-difference-between-a-contract-and-a-memorandum-of-understanding-mou\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    What is the difference between a contract and a Memorandum of Understanding (&#8220;MOU&#8221;)?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-what-is-the-difference-between-a-contract-and-a-memorandum-of-understanding-mou\">\n            \n\n<p>Both a contract and an MOU are forms of agreement between two or more parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A contract is a legally binding agreement between parties setting out obligations that may be enforced in court, if necessary. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, an MOU is a non-binding document outlining the intentions of the parties or setting out a framework for collaboration or joint project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, a document may be titled MOU but set out binding obligations on the parties. In this case, the MOU is effectively also a contract. The title of a document alone is not enough to assess its legal impact; the terms of any agreement need to be carefully reviewed to determine whether it creates binding obligations on the University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always reach out to University Legal Services before signing any kind of agreement, including MOUs. <\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-can-the-office-of-university-legal-services-notarize-or-commission-documents-for-me\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Can the Office of University Legal Services notarize or commission documents for me?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-can-the-office-of-university-legal-services-notarize-or-commission-documents-for-me\">\n            \n\n<p>If the document relates to official University business, the Office of Legal Services can help. For example, the Office can assist with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A statutory declaration to a government regulator<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An oath of office for a campus safety officer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swearing an affidavit related to a University legal proceeding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Notarizing official documents to satisfy foreign granting or regulatory agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Office of University Legal Services cannot provide notary or commissioning services for personal or other non-University matters.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-can-i-retain-external-counsel\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Can I retain external counsel?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-can-i-retain-external-counsel\">\n            \n\n<p>External counsel must be retained only through the Office of University Legal Services. We will ensure an external lawyer has the necessary expertise, reasonable rates, and appropriate instructions. For more information, see the University&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/secretariat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/158\/Legal-Advice-and-Charges-Policy-2021.pdf\">Legal-Advice-and-Charges-Policy-2021.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-i-think-someone-at-the-university-is-doing-something-illegal-or-in-violation-of-university-policy-who-can-i-tell\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    I think someone at the University is doing something illegal, or in violation of University policy, who can I tell?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-i-think-someone-at-the-university-is-doing-something-illegal-or-in-violation-of-university-policy-who-can-i-tell\">\n            \n\n<p>If you feel safe doing so, you can report concerns through the institution&#8217;s internal channels:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Campus Safety Services <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/safety\/contact\/contact-us\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/safety\/contact\/contact-us\/\">Contact Us &#8211; Campus Safety Services<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University Ombudsman <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/ombuds\/\">Ombuds Services &#8211; Carleton University<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Human Resources <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/hr\/\">Welcome to Human Resources &#8211; Human Resources<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your dean or department chair, or direct supervisor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In the event of an emergency, please call 911.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/dl>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[],"class_list":["post-70","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":394,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70\/revisions\/394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/legalservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=70"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}