Serwaah hired an immigration consultant, Manuel. He applied for Permanent Residence for her as a Provincial Nominee over a year ago.

On June 1st, Manuel told Serwaah he just received a letter from IRCC stating its preliminary finding that her medical condition would cause an "excessive demand" on Canada's health care system. Thus, she may be inadmissible on health grounds. This is called a procedural fairness (PF) letter.

Manuel assured Serwaah not to worry; that he had done several of these cases successfully. He would send a submission to IRCC within the 30-day deadline showing that Serwaah was not inadmissible as her condition was being well-managed by her current specialist and the costs were within the allowable threshold. He would be in touch with Serwaah shortly about getting an updated letter from the specialist on her prognosis and treatment costs.

On June 2nd Manuel experienced a medical emergency that required him to take several weeks off for surgery and recovery. He called Jim, an RCIC friend practicing at another firm, who agreed to help on Serwaah's case pro bono. Manuel was very grateful and told Jim to pick up the file from his office and that Serwaah may require more information from her doctor. Manuel's assistant could provide him with anything else he needed, including Manuel's letterhead to submit the update. Jim should sign his own name "on behalf of Manuel Perreira". Jim assumed Manuel had told Serwaah about this arrangement.

Serwaah called Manuel's office the following week. She was told he had taken a brief medical leave and that Jim was looking after her file. She called Jim, who assured her there was still lots of time and he would get to it as soon as he finished up some urgent cases. She asked about the information from her doctor as Manuel had mentioned, which might take some time to get, and whether they should set up a meeting to ensure Jim had everything he needed. Jim was non-committal but promised to let her know if he needed anything.

As the deadline approached, Serwaah left multiple messages for Jim that she was concerned she had not heard from him and did not know the status of her file.

When Manuel returned to work on July 8th, there was a panicked phone message from Serwaah. He called Jim who apologized profusely for submitting the response three days after the deadline. He did not yet have time to inform Serwaah it was sent.

Manuel looked at the material Jim submitted and was surprised to see Jim had not included any medical documentation and thought to himself "Good grief - I need to fix this".

CODE OF CONDUCT

Initial consultation Consultation initiale 23 (1) Before a licensee has an initial consultation with a potential client with respect to the provision of immigration or citizenship consulting services, the licensee must enter into a written consultation agreement with that potential client. Content of consultation agreement (2) The consultation agreement must include the following information: Code of Professional Conduct for College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Licensees Relationship to Clients Relation avec les clients Sections 23-24 Articles 23-24 Current to February 20, 2024 11 jour au 20 fvrier 2024 (a) the licensee's name, registration number, address, telephone number and email address; (b) the potential client's name and contact information, including their address, telephone number and email address, if any; (c) the fee for the consultation or, if the consultation is provided pro bono, a statement to that effect; (d) a brief description of the College's role as the licensee's regulator; and (e) a description of the purpose and scope of the consultation. a) les nom, numro d'inscription, adresse, numro de tlphone et adresse lectronique du titulaire de permis; b) le nom du client potentiel et ses coordonnes, y compris, le cas chant, ses adresse, numro de tlphone et adresse lectronique; c) les honoraires pour la consultation ou, si elle est offerte pro bono, un nonc cet gard; d) une courte description du rle du Collge en tant qu'organisme de rglementation du titulaire de permis; e) une description de l'objet et de la porte de la consultation. Copy of agreement Copie du contrat (3) The licensee must keep a copy of the signed consultation agreement for their records and provide a copy to the client. (3) Le titulaire de permis conserve une copie signe du contrat de consultation pour ses dossiers et en fournit une au client. Service agreement Contrat de services 24 (1) A licensee must enter into a written service agreement with a client before any immigration or citizenship consulting services are provided or, if there was an initial consultation, before any additional immigration or citizenship consulting services are provided. 24 (1) Le titulaire de permis conclut un contrat de services par crit avec le client avant de fournir tout service de consultation en immigration ou en citoyennet ou, s'il y a eu une consultation initiale, avant de fournir tout service de consultation en immigration ou en citoyennet additionnel. Preconditions Conditions pralables (2) Before entering into a service agreement with a client, a licensee must (a) confirm the following information in respect of the client, seeking corroboration of the information if possible: (i) their full name, (ii) their home address and their personal telephone number and email address, if any, and (iii) their business address, telephone number and email address, if applicable; (b) provide the client with a draft of the service agreement; and (c) verify whether the client has entered into a service agreement with another individual who is authorized to provide representation or advice under section 91 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or section 21.1 of the Citizenship Act and, if so, (2) Avant de conclure un contrat de services, le titulaire de permis prend les mesures suivantes : a) il confirme les renseignements ci-aprs au sujet du client, en les corroborant lorsque possible : (i) son nom complet, (ii) son adresse rsidentielle et, le cas chant, ses numro de tlphone personnel et adresse lectronique, (iii) le cas chant, ses adresse, numro de tlphone et adresse lectronique au travail; b) il fournit au client une bauche du contrat de services; c) il vrifie si le client a conclu un contrat de service avec un autre individu qui est autoris reprsenter ou conseiller une personne en vertu de l'article 91 de la Loi sur l'immigration et la protection des rfugis ou de l'article 21.1 de la Loi sur la citoyennet et, le cas chant : Code of Professional Conduct for College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Licensees Code de dontologie des titulaires de permis du Collge des consultants en immigration et en citoyennet Relationship to Clients Relation avec les clients Section 24 Article 24 Current to February 20, 2024 12 jour au 20 fvrier 2024 (i) confirm that the service agreement with the other individual has been completed or has been terminated in writing before completion and, if applicable, confirm the outcome of the completed service agreement, or (ii) obtain clear instructions from the client on the scope of the service agreement, if the client wishes to engage the services of both the licensee and the other individual. (i) ou bien il confirme que le contrat qui avait t conclu avec cet autre individu a pris fin ou qu'il a t rsili par crit, et il confirme le cas chant, les rsultats du contrat ayant pris fin, (ii) ou bien il obtient des instructions claires du client sur la porte du contrat de services, si celui-ci souhaite retenir les services du titulaire de permis et de cet autre individu. Content of service agreement Contenu du contrat de services (3) The service agreement must include the following information: (a) the licensee's name, registration number, address, telephone number and email address; (b) the information referred to in subparagraphs (2)(a)(i) to (iii); (c) a summary of any preliminary advice given to the client by the licensee; (d) a statement that the licensee endeavours to provide quality immigration or citizenship consulting services and to adequately supervise any person who assists in the provision of those services; (e) the names of the people who are likely to assist the licensee in the provision of immigration or citizenship consulting services; (f) the client's instructions; (g) an itemized list of the services to be provided, tailored to the needs of the client, that describes the nature of the services and their scope; (h) estimated time frames for the delivery of the services; (i) an estimate of fees, including the hourly rate and the anticipated number of hours, or an agreed fixed fee or, if the services are provided pro bono, a statement to that effect; (j) an estimate of expected disbursements; (k) any goods and services tax, harmonized sales tax or other tax or levy to be charged to the client; (l) the terms of payment for fees and disbursements, including any interest payable on unpaid amounts; (m) any advance payments to be made by the client and the licensee's refund policy; (3) Le contrat de services comporte les lments suivants : a) les nom, numro d'inscription, adresse, numro de tlphone et adresse lectronique du titulaire de permis; b) les renseignements viss aux sous-alinas (2)a)(i) (iii); c) un rsum de tout conseil prliminaire que le titulaire de permis a donn au client; d) un nonc portant que le titulaire de permis veillera fournir des services de consultation en immigration ou en citoyennet de qualit et superviser adquatement le travail de quiconque l'assiste dans la prestation de ces services; e) le nom des personnes susceptibles de prter assistance au titulaire de permis dans la prestation de services de consultation en immigration ou en citoyennet; f) les instructions du client; g) une liste dtaille des services fournir qui prcise leur nature et leur porte en fonction des besoins du client; h) les dlais estims pour la prestation des services; i) une estimation des honoraires y compris le taux horaire et le nombre d'heures prvues ou une somme fixe convenue ou encore, si les services sont fournis pro bono, un nonc cet gard; j) une estimation des dbours prvus; k) la taxe sur les produits et services ou de la taxe de vente harmonise ou de toute autre taxe ou tout autre prlvement appliquer; Code of Professional Conduct for College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Licensees Code de dontologie des titulaires de permis du Collge des consultants en immigration et en citoyennet Relationship to Clients Relation avec les clients Section 24 Article 24 Current to February 20, 2024 13 jour au 20 fvrier 2024 (n) an explanation of any additional costs that the client may be required to pay; (o) if applicable, a description of any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest relating to the client; (p) a statement that any original documents provided by the client to the licensee will be returned to the client as soon as the purpose for which the licensee took possession of the documents has been achieved; (q) a statement that the licensee has an obligation of confidentiality under this Code and a description of the manner in which the licensee will maintain the confidentiality of the client's information and documents; (r) the licensee's complaint-handling procedure; (s) the official language of Canada in which the services will be provided; (t) a statement that the licensee will provide timely information related to the status of the client's case; (u) a statement that the licensee will obtain assistance, when necessary, including by retaining the services of an interpreter or translator; (v) a description of the College's role as the licensee's regulator and an explanation of the College's complaints process; (w) an explanation that the College may require the production of documents in accordance with the Act and any regulations or by-laws made under the Act; (x) a statement that the licensee has provided a copy of this Code to the client; (y) an explanation of what will happen to the client's file if the licensee becomes incapacitated or is otherwise unable to continue providing services under the agreement; and (z) any other terms agreed to. l) les modalits de paiement des honoraires et des dbours, y compris les intrts courus sur toute somme impaye; m) tout paiement anticip effectuer par le client et la politique de remboursement du titulaire de permis; n) une explication des cots supplmentaires que le client peut tre tenu de payer; o) le cas chant, une description de tout conflit d'intrts ou possibilit de conflit d'intrts concernant le client; p) un nonc indiquant que tout document original que le client fournit au titulaire de permis lui sera rendu ds que la fin pour laquelle le titulaire de permis en a pris possession est atteinte; q) un nonc indiquant que le titulaire de permis a une obligation de confidentialit sous le rgime du prsent code et une description de la faon dont le titulaire de permis respectera la confidentialit des renseignements et des documents du client; r) la procdure du titulaire de permis concernant le traitement des plaintes; s) la langue officielle du Canada dans laquelle les services seront fournis; t) un nonc indiquant que le titulaire de permis fournira au client en temps opportun des renseignements relatifs l'tat de son dossier; u) un nonc indiquant que le titulaire de permis obtiendra de l'aide au besoin, notamment en retenant les services d'un interprte ou d'un traducteur; v) une description du rle du Collge en tant qu'organisme de rglementation du titulaire de permis et une explication du processus de traitement des plaintes du Collge; w) une explication qui prcise que le Collge peut exiger la production de documents conformment la Loi et aux rglements et rglements administratifs pris en vertu de celle-ci; x) un nonc indiquant qu'un exemplaire du prsent code a t remis au client; y) une explication de ce qu'il advient du dossier du client si le titulaire de permis est frapp d'incapacit ou n'est plus en mesure de fournir les services convenus; Code of Professional Conduct for College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Licensees Code de dontologie des titulaires de permis du Collge des consultants en immigration et en citoyennet Relationship to Clients Relation avec les clients Sections 24-25 Articles 24-25 Current to February 20, 2024 14 jour au 20 fvrier 2024 z) toute autre modalit convenue. Copy of agreement Copie du contrat (4) The licensee must keep a copy of the signed service agreement for their records and provide a copy to the client. (4) Le titulaire de permis conserve une copie signe du contrat de services pour ses dossiers et en fournit une au client. Amendments to agreement Modification au contrat (5) Any amendments to the service agreement must be agreed to by the client and the licensee in writing.

Definitions Dfinitions 1 (1) The following definitions apply in this Code. Act means the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act. (Loi) client means a person or entity that (a) has entered into a consultation agreement or service agreement with a licensee; (b) consults with a licensee who provides or agrees to provide immigration or citizenship consulting services to them; or (c) having consulted with a licensee, reasonably concludes that the licensee has agreed to provide immigration or citizenship consulting services to them. (client)

Considering the definition of a "client" in s 1(1) of the Code, is Serwaah a client of Jim's? Explain why or why not with reference to this definition. Is the fact of Jim doing this for free relevant to whether Serwaah is a client? What about the fact there is no service agreement with Jim?