Terms & Conditions

Welcome to SolicitorConnect. By accessing or using our legal services platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully as they contain important information about your rights and obligations.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using the SolicitorConnect platform ("Platform"), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must not use our services.

2. Description of Service

SolicitorConnect operates as a digital platform that facilitates connections between individuals and businesses seeking legal assistance ("Clients") and qualified solicitors and law firms ("Legal Professionals").

Our Services Include:

• Legal Professional Matching: Connecting clients with suitable qualified solicitors based on practice area and location
• Communication Platform: Secure messaging and communication tools between clients and legal professionals
• Review System: Client feedback and rating system for legal professionals
• Case Management Tools: Basic tools to help manage legal enquiries and communications
• Information Resources: Legal guides, articles, and educational content

3. User Accounts and Registration

To access certain features of our platform, you must create a user account. When creating an account, you agree to:

1. Provide accurate information: All registration information must be truthful, accurate, and complete
2. Maintain account security: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
3. Notify us of unauthorized access: You must immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account
4. Accept responsibility: You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account

Account Types

We offer different account types for different user categories:

• Client Accounts: For individuals and businesses seeking legal assistance
• Solicitor Accounts: For qualified legal professionals providing services
• Firm Accounts: For law firms managing multiple solicitors
• Introducer Accounts: For professional introducers and referral partners

4. User Conduct and Acceptable Use

When using our platform, you agree to conduct yourself professionally and lawfully. You must not:

• Submit false or misleading information about yourself, your qualifications, or your legal needs
• Use the platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any local, state, national, or international law
• Interfere with platform functionality or attempt to disrupt the service for other users
• Attempt unauthorized access to data, accounts, or systems not intended for you
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users of the platform
• Upload malicious content including viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Violate intellectual property rights of SolicitorConnect or third parties
• Use automated systems to access the platform without our written permission

5. Payments and Fees

Our platform operates on a commission-based model for successful connections between clients and legal professionals.

For Clients

• Use of our platform to submit enquiries and connect with solicitors is free of charge
• You pay legal fees directly to the solicitor you choose to work with
• We do not charge clients any platform fees or commissions

For Legal Professionals

• Basic platform access and profile creation is free
• Commission fees apply when you successfully engage with clients through our platform
• Premium features may be subject to subscription fees
• All fees are clearly disclosed before you commit to any paid services

6. Intellectual Property Rights

The SolicitorConnect platform, including its design, functionality, content, and technology, is protected by intellectual property laws.

Our Rights

• All platform content, trademarks, and technology remain our property
• You may not copy, modify, or distribute our platform or content without permission
• Our trade names and logos are protected trademarks

Your Rights

• You retain ownership of content you submit to the platform
• You grant us a license to use your content to provide our services
• You may request removal of your content in accordance with our policies

7. Privacy and Data Protection

We are committed to protecting your privacy and personal data in compliance with UK and EU data protection laws.

Key privacy commitments:

• We collect and process personal data lawfully and transparently
• Your data is used only for providing and improving our services
• We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information
• You have rights regarding your personal data under applicable laws

8. Limitation of Liability and Disclaimers

While we strive to provide a reliable platform, certain limitations and disclaimers apply to our services.

Service Disclaimers

• No Legal Advice: SolicitorConnect does not provide legal advice or represent clients in legal matters
• Third-Party Services: We are not responsible for the quality or outcomes of legal services provided by solicitors
• Platform Availability: We cannot guarantee uninterrupted access to our platform
• Information Accuracy: While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information is error-free

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, SolicitorConnect shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
• Damages resulting from your use or inability to use our services
• Actions or omissions of third-party legal professionals

9. Termination and Suspension

Either party may terminate the use of our services under certain circumstances.

Your Right to Terminate

• You may stop using our services at any time
• You may request account deletion subject to data retention requirements
• Some obligations may survive termination

Our Right to Terminate

We may suspend or terminate your access if you:

• Violate these Terms or our policies
• Engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• Pose a security risk to our platform or users
• Fail to pay applicable fees

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by English law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of English courts.

Dispute Resolution Process

1. Direct Communication: We encourage resolving disputes through direct communication first
2. Formal Complaint: Submit formal complaints through our designated channels
3. Mediation: We may suggest mediation for certain disputes
4. Legal Proceedings: Court proceedings in England and Wales as final resort

11. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services or legal requirements.

How We Notify You

• Material changes will be communicated via email to registered users
• Updated terms will be posted on our website with the effective date
• Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance
• You may terminate your account if you disagree with changes

12. Contact Information and Support

For questions about these Terms or our services, please contact us using the information provided in our Contact section below.

Last Updated: May 2025 | Version: 1.0