TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.  WELCOME TO LAW LOUNGE

This Website can be accessed at www.lawlounge.co.za, related Mobi-sites and software applications (the “Website”) and is owned and operated by Law Lounge (“the Company”, “we”, “us” and “our”).

2.  NOTICE

1. These Website Terms and Conditions (“Terms and Conditions”) govern the use of the Website.
2. These Terms and Conditions are binding and enforceable against every person that accesses or uses this Website (“you”, “your” or “user”). By using the Website, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
3. You must not use this Website if you do not agree to the Terms and Conditions.  Law Lounge reserves the right to restrict your access to this Website if you misuse its content in any manner. Law Lounge shall have sole discretion to determine misuse, and its decision will be final.  We reserve the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice. Any amendments will comply with applicable South African law.

3.  CONTACTING US

1. For the purposes of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (Act No. 25 of 2002) (“ECT Act”) and the Protection of Personal Information Act (Act No. 4 of 2013) (“POPIA”), the Company’s information is as follows:
   1. Full name: Law Lounge;
   2. Main business: Pre-litigation legal guidance.
   3. Official email address: info@lawlounge.co.za;
   4. PAIA: The manual published in terms of Section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (Act no. 2 of 2000), incorporating the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (Act no. 4 of 2013) may be downloaded here.
2. You can get in touch with us:
   1. via the contact section of this Website;
   2. or by email at the addresses specified above;

4.  ACCURACY AND AVAILABILITY

1. Whilst we always do our very best to ensure the information shown on the Website is accurate and up to date, we give no warranty or undertaking as to the quality, or freedom from error, of the contents of this Website. We do not guarantee that the content on this Website is accurate, complete, or up to date. Users should independently verify any information before relying on it. Law Lounge expressly disclaims all liability for inaccuracies or errors to the extent permitted by applicable law.
2. We will use reasonable endeavours to maintain the availability of the Website, except during scheduled maintenance periods, and are entitled to discontinue providing the Website or any part thereof with or without notice to you.
3. Law Lounge may, at its discretion, terminate, suspend, or modify this Website with or without notice. Any orders or services purchased before such termination will be processed, where possible, in accordance with existing agreements. You agree that the Company will not be liable to you in the event that it chooses to suspend, modify or terminate this Website other than for processing any orders made by you prior to such time, to the extent possible.
4. If you fail to comply with your obligations under these Terms and Conditions, this may (in our sole discretion with or without notice to you) lead to a suspension and/or termination of your access to the Website without any prejudice to any claims for damages or otherwise that we may have against you.
5. The Company is entitled, for purposes of preventing suspected fraud and/or where it suspects that you are abusing the Website and/or have created multiple user profiles to engage in any unlawful activity, to blacklist you on its database (including suspending or terminating your access to the Website), refuse to accept or process payment of any products,  on notice to you.
6. At any time, you can choose to stop using the Website, with or without notice to the Company.

5.  USE OF THE WEBSITE

1. It is possible to view our Website without providing any personal information as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act (“Personal Information”). However, if you use the “Contact Us” button or purchase our services, you will be required to provide certain Personal Information. By completing and submitting a “Contact Us” request on the Website, or purchasing any of our services, you are expressly permitting the Company to collect, collate, process and use your Personal Information for the purpose it was provided, as well as to disclose it to our service providers (if any) and only if selected by you.
2. We also collect demographic and profile data on our Website. This may be combined with other forms of information to permit us to bring together, in aggregate form, information about the people who use our Website. Such information will enable us to understand, in general terms, user preferences in relation to the content of the Website and the effectiveness of the advertising.
3. The Company will not share, sell or loan any identifiable information about you to any third party without your express consent. We may share generalised information about site visitor patterns with partners or other parties in such a way that individual visitors can never be identified.
4. Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the Internet is not completely secure and we cannot guarantee the security of data transmitted to or from our Website. Once we receive your information, we will use strict procedures and security measures to protect your information and to prevent unauthorised access to it.
5. Law Lounge is the “data controller” for purpose of the ECT Act.
6. Law Lounge will store your Personal Information in a secure hosting facility in the Republic of South Africa. The Company will store your Personal Information only for the purpose for which it was collected as well as a record of any third party to whom the Personal Information was disclosed, the reason for disclosure and the date of the disclosure, for the duration that your information is used and for a period of 1 (One) year thereafter as required by Section 51(5) and (7) of the ECT Act.  After the 1 (One) year period as aforesaid, the Company will delete or destroy (as applicable) all your Personal Information that is stored that has become obsolete.
7. You may request details of Personal Information that we hold about you by requesting the Company in writing to furnish you with such information. Our security procedures mean that we may request proof of identity in providing you with these details, dependent on the Personal Information that you request. We will notify you of this after we have received your request. If you wish to submit a written request as outlined above then please contact us using the contact particulars below.  If all reasonable steps have been taken to find a record as requested and there are reasonable grounds for believing that the record is in the Company’s possession, but cannot be found, or does not exist, the head of the Company will by way of affirmation notify you that it is not possible to give access to that record.
8. Your email address is only used for the purposes of replying to you unless you have given consent as detailed above.
   1. Whenever you browse our Website, read pages, or download information, our computers automatically record certain information about your visit from the computer you use to access our Website. This information does not identify you personally. It just tells us how many visitors come to our Website and the types of computers they use. With this information, we can improve our Website for all our visitors and make it more useful to you. The information includes the following:
   2. the date and time you access our Website;
   3. how many and which pages you visit during a ‘session’ on our Website and how long you were on the Website;
   4. your Internet domain name (this might be your internet service provider such as aol.com or your place of work) and the ‘IP’ address (this is a number assigned to your computer whenever you are surfing the web) which allows you to access our Website;
   5. the Internet browser you use (e.g. Microsoft Explorer or Netscape) and your computer’s operating system (e.g. Windows 10);
   6. the site you were on before you linked to our Website (e.g. Yahoo if you found us from a search engine).

6.   RESTRICTIONS

1. Users must provide accurate and truthful information when using the services of Law   Lounge.
2. Any attempt to submit false claims, fraudulent information, or misuse of the website may result in access restrictions or legal action.

7.  SERVICES PROVIDED

1. Law Lounge provides users with a structured questionnaire to gather information about their legal dispute for the purpose of providing pre-litigation guidance.
2. Upon completing the questionnaire, users may purchase pre-litigation guidance, which will be delivered via email within 7 working days. The summary of the user’s responses will be included with the pre-litigation guidance.
3. Upon request, Law Lounge may refer users to external legal professionals for further assistance.

8.  Payment TERMS

1. Payment for services must be made through PayFast.
2. Once payment is made, no refunds will be issued unless required by applicable South African consumer protection laws.
3. Law Lounge is not responsible for payment processing issues related to third-party payment providers.

9.  LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

1. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the guidance provided, Law Lounge shall not be held liable for any outdated, incorrect or incomplete information.
2. Pre-litigation guidance provided does not constitute formal legal representation and should not be relied upon as legal advice tailored to a user’s specific circumstances.
3. Users acknowledge that legal outcomes depend on numerous factors, and the pre-litigation guidance provided does not guarantee a specific result.
4. Law Lounge provides pre-litigation guidance for informational purposes only and does not guarantee specific legal outcomes. Users acknowledge that they assume all risks associated with the use of this Website. Law Lounge shall not be liable for any damages, losses, or legal consequences resulting from reliance on the Website’s content or advice.

10.  COOKIE POLICY

1. WHAT IS A COOKIE?
   1. A cookie is a small text file stored on a user’s device by websites to remember information about the user, such as login status or preferences. Cookies are essential for maintaining stateful information in the inherently stateless HTTP protocol.
2. TYPES OF COOKIES ARE USED ON OUR WEBSITE:
   1. Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted once the browser is closed.
   2. Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on the user’s device for a set period, even after the browser is closed, and are used to remember preferences or login details across sessions.
   3. USES OF COOKIES:
      1. Session Management: Maintaining user sessions, such as keeping users logged in.
      2. Personalisation: Storing user preferences to tailor website content.
      3. Tracking and Analytics: Monitoring user behaviour to improve services or for targeted advertising.
3. Google AdWords and Third-party tracking:
   1. Our website may use Google AdWords remarketing features and other third-party tracking tools.
   2. By visiting our website, you agree that Google AdWords remarketing or other advertisements may follow you as you visit other websites within Google’s
   3. Display Network (GDN).
   4. We do not share personal information obtained from Google AdWords remarketing with third parties for unrelated marketing initiatives.
   5. Users who wish to opt out of targeted advertisements may adjust their preferences through their Google Ad settings or disable cookies via browser settings.
4. THIRD PARTY COOKIES
   1. Third-party cookies served via this website may be used for the following purposes:
      1. To serve advertisements and track whether they are clicked on by users;
      2. To control how often you see a particular advertisement;
      3. To tailor content to your preferences;
      4. To count the number of anonymous users on our website;
      5. To provide security within shopping baskets or transactions.
5. WEB BEACONS
   1. Some of our web pages may contain electronic images known as Web Beacons (sometimes known as tracking pixels) that allow us to count users who have visited these pages.
   2. Web Beacons collect only limited information, including a cookie number, time and date of a page view, and a description of the page on which the Web Beacon resides.
   3. Web Beacons placed by third-party advertisers may also be used to track the effectiveness of a particular campaign. These do not collect personally identifiable information.
6. MANAGING AND DISABLING COOKIES
   1. You can manage your cookie settings through your web browser. Most modern browsers provide user-friendly interfaces to accept, reject, or delete cookies.
   2. Below are updated instructions for managing cookies in common browsers:
      1. Google Chrome: Click on the three-dot menu > “Settings” > “Privacy and security” > “Cookies and other site data.”
      2. Mozilla Firefox: Open the menu > “Settings” > “Privacy & Security” > “Cookies and Site Data.”
      3. Microsoft Edge: Click on the three-dot menu > “Settings” > “Cookies and site permissions.”
      4. Safari (macOS): Go to “Preferences” > “Privacy” to manage cookies.
   3. Clearing cookies periodically can enhance privacy, though it may require re-entering login information on frequently visited sites.
   4. Users concerned about privacy may consider browser extensions or settings that enhance privacy by blocking trackers and managing cookies more effectively.

11.  DATA PROTECTION ON PIXEL TAGS

1. We may use “pixel tags,” also known as tracking pixels, which are small graphic files embedded in our websites or emails to monitor usage.
2. A pixel tag can collect information such as the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the computer that downloaded the page on which the tag appears, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the page on which the pixel tag appears, the time the page containing the pixel tag was viewed, the type of browser that fetched the pixel tag, and the identification number of any cookie on the computer previously placed by that server.
3. When corresponding with you via HTML-capable email, we may use “format sensing” technology, which allows pixel tags to notify us whether you received and opened our email.
4. We are committed to transparency regarding the use of pixel tags and provide users with options to opt out of email tracking features by adjusting their email client settings to block remote images.
5. In compliance with evolving data protection regulations, we ensure that pixel tracking is conducted with user consent and does not compromise user privacy.

12.  JURISDICTION AND LAW

1. This Website is intended for the use of our Clients in the Republic of South Africa only. It was created and is operated according to the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
2. These terms and our relationship and/or any dispute arising from or in connection with these terms will be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Your continued use of the Website will constitute your consent and submission to the jurisdiction of the South African courts regarding all proceedings, transactions, applications or the like instituted by either party against the other, arising from any of these terms.
3. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes arising from or related to these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of South African courts.

13.  CHANGES TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Law Lounge may, in its sole discretion, change any of these Website Terms and Conditions at any time. It is your responsibility to regularly check these Terms and Conditions and make sure that you are satisfied with the changes. Should you not be satisfied, you must not in any way continue to use the Website.
2. Any such change will only apply to your use of this Website after the change is displayed on the Website. If you use the Website after such amended Terms and Conditions have been displayed on the Website, you will be deemed to have accepted such changes.

14.  UNDERTAKINGS

1. You are permitted to browse this Website and we also encourage you to download and share elements with your friends and family for personal and information use. However, you are not allowed to reproduce extracts by way of printing, downloading or by distribution to other people for business use, or create any hyperlink or other similar form of connection to this Website without our express written permission. The use of this Website within any other Website by the use of framing or otherwise is strictly prohibited.
2. You agree that you will not in any way use any device, software or other instrument to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the Website. In addition, you agree that you will not in any way use any robot, spider, other automatic device, or manual process to monitor, copy, distribute or modify the Website or the information contained herein, without the prior written consent from an authorised Law Lounge representative (such consent is deemed given for standard search engine technology employed by Internet search Websites to direct Internet users to this Website).

15.  COPYRIGHT

1. The contents of the Website, including any material, information, data, software, icons, text, graphics, lay-outs, images, sound clips, advertisements, video clips, trade names, logos, trade-marks, designs and service marks which are displayed on or incorporated in this Website (“Website Content”) are protected by law, including but not limited to copyright and trade mark law. The Website Content is the property of Law Lounge, its advertisers and/or sponsors and/or is licensed to Law Lounge.
2. You will not acquire any right, title or interest in or to the Website or the Website Content.
3. Any use, distribution or reproduction of the Website Content is prohibited unless expressly authorised in terms of these Terms and Conditions or otherwise provided for in law.
4. Where any of the Website Content has been licensed to us or belongs to any third party, your rights of use will also be subject to any terms and conditions which that licensor or third party imposes from time to time and you agree to comply with such third party terms and conditions.

16.  DISCLAIMER

1. Law Lounge provides pre-litigation guidance only. The information and guidance offered on this platform do not constitute formal legal representation, nor do they create an attorney-client relationship. For formal legal representation, users are encouraged to seek assistance from a qualified attorney.
2. The use of the Website is entirely at your own risk and you assume full responsibility for any risk or loss resulting from use of the Website or reliance on any information on the Website.
3. Whilst Law Lounge takes reasonable measures to ensure that the content of the Website is accurate and complete, Law Lounge makes no representations or warranties, whether express or implied, as to the quality, timeliness, operation, integrity, availability or functionality of the Website or as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any information on the Website. If any such representations or warranties are made by the Law Lounge’s representatives, Law
4. Lounge shall not be bound thereby.
   The Website itself and all information provided on the Website is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or non-infringement, as may be allowed in law.
5. Any views or statements made or expressed on the Website are not necessarily the views of Law Lounge, its directors, employees and/or agents.
6. Law Lounge’s services and legal guidance are provided exclusively to users located within the Republic of South Africa. Information on the Website may not be applicable or relevant outside this jurisdiction.
7. The 7 working day turnaround time for delivery of pre-litigation guidance refers strictly to business hours (Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00 SAST), and excludes weekends and South African public holidays. While Law Lounge aims to meet this timeframe, delivery may be affected by unforeseen circumstances beyond our reasonable control, such as system outages, internet disruptions, or high volumes of service requests.
8. Law Lounge does not and cannot guarantee any legal outcome. Assessments and guidance are based solely on the information provided by the user, and legal outcomes depend on a range of factors beyond Law Lounge’s control.
9. Users are responsible for ensuring that the information submitted through the Website is accurate, complete, and truthful. Law Lounge shall not be liable for advice or outcomes resulting from incomplete, incorrect, or misleading information.
10. Any documentation or summaries provided by Law Lounge are for informational and personal guidance only. They are not intended to serve as court submissions, pleadings, or formal legal documents unless reviewed and approved by a qualified legal practitioner.
11. Where users request referral to an external legal professional, Law Lounge may facilitate such referral. However, Law Lounge shall not be held responsible for the services, advice, fees, or availability of third-party legal practitioners. Any engagement with such third parties is at the user’s own risk and discretion.