Terms and Conditions

Introduction and Legal Agreement

These Terms and Conditions constitute a binding legal agreement between you and Harkness Vale. By using our website, contacting us, or engaging our legal services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms.

If you do not agree with any part of these Terms and Conditions, you must not use our website or services. These terms supplement and should be read in conjunction with our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and any specific engagement letter we provide for your matter.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

Your Obligations and Responsibilities

1. Accuracy of Information

You agree to provide accurate, complete, and current information when contacting us or engaging our services. This includes personal details, information about your legal matter, and any relevant documents or facts that may affect our advice.

Providing false or misleading information may impair our ability to represent you effectively and could have legal consequences. You must promptly inform us of any changes to information you have provided.

2. Compliance with Laws

You agree to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards when using our services. You must not ask us to engage in any activity that would be unlawful or that would breach our professional obligations as solicitors.

3. Cooperation and Communication

When we represent you, you agree to:

• Respond promptly to our requests for information or documentation
• Attend meetings and consultations as scheduled
• Keep us informed of any developments that may affect your matter
• Provide clear instructions and feedback when required

4. Professional Conduct

You agree to treat our staff and representatives with courtesy and respect. Abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behavior may result in termination of our professional relationship.

5. Payment Obligations

You agree to pay our fees and any disbursements in accordance with the terms set out in our engagement letter. Payment is due within the timeframe specified, typically within 14 days of invoice unless otherwise agreed.

6. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Harkness Vale, its partners, employees, and agents from any claims, losses, damages, or expenses arising from your breach of these terms, your violation of any law, or your misuse of our services.

Prohibited Activities and Conduct

You must not engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

✗ Using our services to facilitate or engage in illegal activities
✗ Attempting to circumvent security measures on our website or systems
✗ Copying, reproducing, or distributing our proprietary materials without permission
✗ Providing false identification or impersonating others
✗ Interfering with other users' ability to access our services
✗ Harassing, threatening, or abusing our staff or other clients
✗ Attempting to obtain confidential information about other clients
✗ Using automated systems to access our website without authorization

Age and Capacity Requirements

By using our services, you represent and warrant that:

• You are at least 18 years of age
• You have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• You are not prohibited by law from receiving legal services
• If acting on behalf of an organization, you have authority to bind that organization to these terms

Disclaimers and Warranties

1. General Website Disclaimer

Our website and the general information contained on it are provided "as is" without any warranties or guarantees of any kind. We do not warrant that:

• The website will be available at all times or will operate without interruption
• Information on the website is complete, accurate, or up-to-date
• The website is free from viruses or other harmful components
• Defects will be corrected within any specific timeframe

2. No Guarantee of Outcomes

While we strive to provide quality legal services, we cannot guarantee specific outcomes or results for your legal matter. Each case is unique and depends on numerous factors, including but not limited to the facts of your case, applicable law, court decisions, and actions of other parties.

3. Information Not Legal Advice

General information on our website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal advice can only be provided after we have reviewed your specific circumstances and established a professional relationship with you.

4. Third-Party Content

We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or opinions expressed on third-party websites linked from our site. Links to external sites do not constitute endorsement of their content or practices.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:

• Harkness Vale shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of our website or services
• Our aggregate liability for any claims related to our website shall not exceed the amount you paid for our services in the six months preceding the claim
• We are not liable for any loss or damage caused by factors beyond our reasonable control, including technical failures, network disruptions, or force majeure events
• Liability for professional services provided under an engagement letter is governed by the specific terms of that agreement and our professional indemnity insurance

Note: Nothing in these terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations under these terms if such failure or delay is caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters, severe weather, or acts of God
• War, terrorism, civil unrest, or government action
• Epidemic, pandemic, or public health emergency
• Strikes, labor disputes, or supplier failures
• Failure of telecommunications, internet, or computer systems

Dispute Resolution

1. Informal Resolution

If you have concerns about our services, we encourage you to contact us directly first. Many issues can be resolved through open communication and goodwill.

2. Formal Complaints

If informal resolution is unsuccessful, you may make a formal complaint in writing. We maintain a complaints procedure in accordance with professional requirements and will investigate your concerns thoroughly.

3. Legal Ombudsman

If you remain dissatisfied after our internal complaints process, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, the independent complaint handling body for legal services in England and Wales.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising under or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

You irrevocably waive any objection to the venue of any proceeding in such courts and any claim that such proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Severability and Waiver

Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be severed from these terms and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Harkness Vale.

Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Terms of Service, and any applicable engagement letter, constitute the entire agreement between you and Harkness Vale regarding your use of our website and services, superseding any prior agreements or understandings.

Contact Information