Welcome to Legal Connect Platform.
Legal Connect products and services are provided by Legal Connect Pty Ltd. These terms and conditions of use (“Terms”) govern your use of Legal Connect website, mobile application, products, and services (collectively, the “Services”), so please read them carefully.
By accessing this website or using the Services, you are agreeing to the Terms, Legal Connect’s Privacy Policy and Legal Connect’s Community Guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact us.
- Using our services
You may use our Services only if you can form a binding contract with Legal Connect. No use of the Services is permitted by those under the age of majority in their state of residence. In no event is use of the Services permitted by those under the age of 13. If you are using the Services on behalf of any entity, then you are agreeing to the Terms on behalf of that entity.
Using our Services does not give you ownership of any intellectual property rights in our Services or the content you access. Except in the context of browsing or accessing our Services in accordance with these Terms, you may not use content from our Services unless you obtain permission from its owner or are otherwise permitted by law. These Terms do not grant you the right to use any branding or logos used in our Services. Do not remove, obscure, or alter any legal notices displayed in or along with our Services.
Do not use our Services on any mobile device in a way that distracts you and prevents you from obeying traffic or safety laws.
We may release and make available beta products, services, and features (collectively, “Beta Services”) for a limited period of time (the “Beta Test”). Beta Services have not been completely tested, are not ready for commercial release, and may contain bugs, errors, defects, and deficiencies. We reserve the right to withdraw the Beta Services during the Beta Test. We do not guarantee that the Beta Services will be made commercially available or that any commercially available version of the Beta Services will contain the same functionality as the version made available during the Beta Test.
- The Legal Connect Rating
Legal Connect rating reflects Legal Connect’s assessment of a given lawyer, based upon the information obtained by or submitted to Legal Connect. Someone else’s assessment of the same lawyer may be very different, or be based upon different information. Legal Connect rating is not an endorsement of any particular lawyer, and is not a guarantee of a lawyer’s quality, competency, or character. Nor is the Legal Connect rating a predictor of the outcome of any matter in which such lawyer is involved. Rather, the Legal connect rating is intended to be a starting point to gather information about lawyers who may be suitable for your legal needs – but you should not rely solely on the Legal Connect rating in deciding whether to contact or hire any given lawyer.
- Information on the services
Our Services display both Legal Connect created content and content that is not created or developed by Legal Connect (the “Legal Information”). We may review third party-content to determine whether it is illegal or violates our policies, and we may remove or refuse to display content that we reasonably believe violates our policies or the law. But we do not routinely screen third-party content that is published via our Services. This includes the Legal Information that lawyers post on Legal Connect, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or quality of any such Legal Information, or the qualifications of those posting it.
- No formation of an attorney-client relationship
The Legal Information found on Legal Connect is intended for general informational purposes only and should be used only as a starting point for addressing your legal issues. The Legal Information is not the provision of legal services, and accessing such information, or corresponding with or asking questions to a lawyer via the Services, or otherwise using the Services, does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Legal Connect, or you and any lawyer. It is not a substitute for an in-person or telephonic consultation with a lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction about your specific legal issue, and you should not rely on such Legal Information. You understand that questions and answers or other postings to the Services are not confidential and are not subject to attorney-client privilege.
- Interactions between lawyers and consumers
Legal Connect is a platform where lawyers unaffiliated with Legal Connect can offer information and interact with consumers. Any attorney-client relationship formed as a result of interactions between a lawyer and consumer on Legal Connect is between the consumer and the lawyer—not between Legal Connect and the consumer. Legal Connect cannot be held responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or legal services provided by lawyers that consumers found via Legal Connect.
- Premium services for lawyers
Legal Connect offers optional subscription services for lawyers, including, but not limited to; Basic, Full and Featured subscriptions. By selecting a Premium Service you agree to pay Legal Connect the subscription or usage fees (the “Subscription Fees”) indicated for that service. You further agree to provide Legal Connect with a valid payment method, which Legal Connect will store and from which Legal Connect will automatically charge Subscription Fees as they become due. Subscription Fees will be charged on the day your Premium Service goes into effect and will cover the use of that service for the period indicated. Thereafter, you agree that monthly payments will continue to be charged to your payment method on a recurring basis until you cancel your Premium Service. The amount of the monthly recurring charge will be the then-current Subscription Fee applicable to the Premium Service you selected. You acknowledge that the amount of the recurring charge may increase if the applicable Subscription Fee increases. Legal Connect will collect and remit sales tax where required by state laws, based on the Premium Services and your primary office location.
Premium Services, other than Advertising and Websites, must be cancelled prior to the applicable renewal date in order to avoid billing of the next month’s Subscription Fee. For Advertising or Websites, Legal Connect must receive written notice of your cancellation or reduction in service at least thirty (30) days in advance of the applicable renewal date on which you wish to make the cancellation or reduction effective. All cancellations or reductions of advertising services must be received in writing by email (info@legalconnect.co.za) . Subscription Fees for Premium Services are not prorated or refundable. In no event will a cancellation or reduction in service relieve you of your obligation to pay the Subscription Fees that are due for the period prior to the effective date of cancellation or reduction in service.
If your payment method fails or your account is past due, Legal Connect reserves the right to either suspend or terminate your Premium Services. Any such suspension or termination will result in the cancellation of any promotional programs applicable to your Premium Services. You agree to submit any disputes regarding any charge to your account in writing to Legal Connect within sixty (60) days of such charge, otherwise such dispute will be waived and such charge will be final and not subject to challenge.
Premium Services may include the publication of advertising or website content you provide to us (the “Premium Services Content”). You retain all rights in, and are solely responsible for, the Premium Services Content posted on Legal Connect or websites supported by Legal Connect. You give Legal Connect, our affiliates, providers of third party services, and subcontractors a non-exclusive, fully-paid, perpetual, royalty-free, transferable, revocable, worldwide license to use, modify, publicly perform, publicly display, reproduce, and distribute the Premium Services Content (in whole or in part) in providing the Services.
- Legal advertising and communications
It is solely the responsibility of lawyers and law firms to ensure that any information or advertisements they post or place on the Legal Connect website (including without limitation any Legal Information), and any communications they may have with prospective clients through the Services, fully complies with all applicable laws and rules of professional conduct, including those concerning the unauthorized practice of law and those regulating the form, manner or content of communications with clients, advertising, or other matters.
- Copyright
We respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement and terminate accounts of repeat infringers according to the process set out in the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
If you believe that any material on the Site infringes upon any copyright which you own or control, you may file a DMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement with Legal Connect’s Designated Copyright Agent:
Legal Connect Copyright Agent
- Software
Some of our Services allow you to download client software (“Software”) which may update automatically; you agree that these Terms will apply to such upgrades. So long as you comply with these Terms, we give you a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable, revocable license to use the Software, solely to access the Services. To the extent any component of the Software may be offered under an open source license, we will make that license available to you and the provisions of that license may expressly override some of these Terms. Unless the following restrictions are prohibited by law, you agree not to reverse engineer or decompile the Services, attempt to do so, or assist anyone in doing so.
- Disclaimers and acknowledgements regarding use of legal information
While Legal Connect strives to provide—and to allow lawyers to provide—useful information regarding lawyers and legal services, there are some things that we cannot guarantee. You acknowledge that such information consists of third party data and contributions, that there are certain inherent limitations to the accuracy or currency of such information, that legal and other information may be incomplete, may contain inaccuracies, or may be based on opinion. LEGAL CONNECT DOES NOT SCREEN SUCH INFORMATION FOR ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, Legal Connect AND ITS AFFILIATES, SUPPLIERS AND DISTRIBUTORS MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ABOUT THE SERVICES OR SOFTWARE. THE SERVICES AND SOFTWARE ARE PROVIDED “AS IS.” Legal Connect ALSO DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
- Limitation of liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL LEGAL CONNECT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, SUPPLIERS AND DISTRIBUTORS, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS, BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM (A) THE OUTCOME OF ANY LEGAL MATTER; (B) YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICES OR SOFTWARE; (C) ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY RELATING TO THE SERVICES OR SOFTWARE; OR (D) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE OR ALTERATION OF LEGAL INFORMATION.
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF LEGAL CONNECT, AND ITS AFFILIATES, SUPPLIERS AND DISTRIBUTORS, FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY MANNER TO THE USE OF THE SERVICES OR SOFTWARE, IS LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US TO USE THE SERVICES TO WHICH SUCH CLAIM RELATES IN THE 12 MONTH PERIOD PRECEDING THE FILING OF SUCH CLAIM. IN THE INTEREST OF CLARITY, THIS LIMITATION ALSO APPLIES TO PREMIUM SERVICES.
- User posted content & other interactive services or areas
Legal Connect includes interactive areas in which you may post content and information, including peer endorsements and user reviews, questions and answers, comments, photos, and other materials (the “User Content”). You retain all rights in, and are solely responsible for, the User Content you post to Legal Connect. You are also solely responsible for your use of such interactive features, and use them at your own risk. By using any interactive feature, you agree to comply with the Legal Connect Community Guidelines. We reserve the right to remove or modify User Content for any reason, including User Content that we believe violates these Terms or our policies.
When you post User Content to Legal Connect, you give Legal Connect and its affiliates a nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable and fully sublicensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display such User Content throughout the world in any media. To the extent such content is attached to a profile on the Legal Connect platform, the foregoing license includes a right to reproduce your profile, and any name, likeness or photograph contained in such profile. If you submit feedback or suggestions about our Services, we may use your feedback or suggestions without obligation to you.
- Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Legal Connect, its corporate affiliates, independent contractors, service providers and consultants, and each of their respective directors, employees and agents, from and against any claims, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to any User Content you post, store or otherwise transmit on or through the Services or your use of or inability to use the Services, including without limitation any actual or threatened suit, demand or claim arising out of or relating to the User Content, your conduct, your violation of these Terms or your violation of the rights of any third party.
- Modifications
Legal Connect may revise these Terms from time to time, on a prospective basis, and we will always post the most up-to-date version on our website. If we determine, in our sole discretion, that a modification to these Terms materially affects your rights, we will notify you (by, for example, sending a message to your account email). By using or continuing to use or access the Services after any revisions have come into effect, you agree to be bound by the revised Terms.
- Applicable law
The laws of the State of Washington, excluding its conflict of law provisions, will apply to any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services.
- Termination
Notwithstanding any of these Terms, Legal Connect reserves the right, without notice and in its sole discretion, to terminate your license to use the Services, and to block or prevent your access to and use of the Services. Legal Connect reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. In the event of termination of access to the Services for any reason, you have no right to obtain a copy of any data or communications you stored or effected via the Services, or any other data.
- Entire agreement
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Legal Connect with respect to the subject matter of these Terms, and supersede and replace any prior version of the Terms. These Terms create no third party beneficiary rights.
- Waiver, severability, and assignment
Legal Connect’s failure to enforce a provision of these Terms is not a waiver of its right to do so later. If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the Terms will remain in full effect and an enforceable Term or Terms will be substituted reflecting our intent as closely as possible. You may not assign any of your rights under these Terms, and any attempt to do so will be void. Legal Connect may assign its rights to any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or to any successor in interest of any business associated with the Services.
- Questions and contact information
If you have any question regarding the use of the Site, please refer first to the FAQ. All other questions or comments about the Site or its contents should contact Customer Care.
