This agreement (the “agreement”) is concluded between uLaw SRL/BV, having its registered seat located Chaussée de la Hulpe 185, 1170 Brussels, registered with the Crossroad Bank for Enterprises under the number 0696.639.548 («uLaw », « us » “ we” ) and you (« you » or the « user(s) ») and is subject to the present Terms of Use that regulate all aspects pertaining to the relationship(s) between uLaw and its clients (the “Terms of Use”). You must read and accept the present Terms of Use and specifically consent to the uLaw’s Privacy rules before and in order to be able to use uLaw’s services (the “services”), its applications or products and its website (the “website’) or any other application operated by or affiliated to uLaw, its affiliated companies, successors or related parties.
User can be, depending on the circumstances, either a client looking for legal assistance (“user-client(s)” or conversely, a lawyer or another professional offering his/her legal or paralegal services through uLaw (“user-lawyer(s)”).
Subject to the Terms of Use, uLaw may amend, from time to time, the Terms of Use in its sole discretion by placing an updated version on its website(s) and will inform users at its sole discretion. Users are invited to regularly consult the Terms of Use in order to verify the terms and conditions applicable to the services, the website and any related applications.
In the event that an amendment concerns the remuneration of uLaw and that the latter is increased, users have 30 days to terminate the agreement. Any other amendment will be automatically enforceable towards users through its publication on the site or otherwise. The circumstance that users continue using the services of uLaw after such amendment implies the explicit and full acceptance of said amendments.
You understand and accept that using uLaw’s services and website implies your adherence to - and commitment to respect the – Terms of Use. If you can not agree to the Terms of Use, you should not use or exploit in any manner the services of uLaw.
uLaw is a plataform the purpose of which is to participate in the delivery of services to users principally through the platform (website) operated by uLaw. The services delivered by users to other users with whom they enter into relation are rendered under the exclusive responsibility of users concerned. uLaw is neither providing on-line advices nor is it a lawyer partnership.
uLaw is a limited company registered with the VAT authorities and the Crossroad bank for Enterprises under the number 0696.639.548.
uLaw allows users to search and find the adequate lawyer for their case and to manage all aspects of their collaboration with the user-lawyer. uLaw offers its services subject to the present Terms of Use and is exclusively liable for its interaction between users as resulting from the website and related applications.
Each user-lawyer acknowledges and confirms having contracted or being covered by a valid insurance contract regarding his/her professional risks.
You understand and accept that uLaw is not a party to the agreement concluded between users and which could be concluded through uLaw or further to the provision of its services and that in no circumstances, the conclusion of a collaboration agreement between users may be considered, construed as or confused with an employment or service agreement between uLaw and one of its user. The contractual relationship between uLaw and its users may not be confused with the collaboration entered into by users. uLaw provides services to its users in order to improve their work relationship but is not a party to their underlying collaboration agreement.
uLaw does neither supervise nor review the work delivered by user-lawyers. User-lawyers are totally independent vis-à-vis uLaw regarding the delivery of their services to users of uLaw. Even though uLaw is making its best efforts to bring talented lawyers together, uLaw does not in any way commit or guarantee the work delivered by user-lawyers, its security, its correctness, its opportunity or legality even though uLaw intends to facilitate as much as possible the quality of lawyer’s work and reflect it through the ratings.
User-lawyers and other professionals are subject to deontological obligations that are proper to their activities and which must be, in any circumstances, respected by user-lawyers. uLaw expressly draw user-lawyers’ attention to the provisions pertaining to the solicitation of clients and to their implications on users’ behavior when using the services and website of uLaw.
By registering on uLaw, users accept and agree to the present Terms of Use and to the other contractual relationships resulting from it.
To the extent necessitated, any user-lawyer is authorized by any user to use the services of other user-lawyers when delivering services. Each user-lawyer shall in this case have a separate contractual relationship with the other user, without prejudice to the separate invoicing of fees. It is highly recommended for user-lawyers to inform clients when delegating some aspects of their files to other user-lawyers in order to ensure the transparency of their relationship with their clients. User-lawyers’ missions can have to be adapted during their mission, taking the mission’s evolutions or lawyer’s organization into consideration. These evolutions can lead to modifications of their rate.
In order to deliver their work, user-lawyers may have to make disbursements on behalf of the user-client (execution cost, etc). This should also be discussed beforehand in order to ensure a proper information of user-clients.
User-lawyers are subject to deontological obligations they must respect in any circumstances, including when using uLaw services. User-lawyers are exclusively in charge of following updates and respecting these obligations and must, among other provisions, make sure to respect the rules pertaining to conflicts of interests when accepting an engagement. uLaw may always terminate its relationship with a user-lawyer in the event that said user does not comply with its deontological and professional duties. When offering on-line services, user-lawyers are especially invited to bear in mind and respect the regulations regarding the identification of their clients, to the conflicts of interests and to the confidentiality. uLaw complies with the deontological rules applicable to the lawyer profession and warrants the respect, at its level, of the confidentiality obligations imposed on lawyers but user-lawyers must do the same and comply with their deontological obligations. More specifically, uLaw keeps data's covered by professional secrecy stricly confidential by encrypting data's on secured servers. Hence, uLaw is a secured website that is not compatible with outdated web browsers or browsers not offering enough security (i.e., Internet explore, Edge, etc.). .
In the event that user-lawyers wish to elect domicile at the office spaces directly or indirectly proposed by uLaw to that purpose, they are also invited to respect the applicable deontological obligations.
Signing up on uLaw is free and will remain free. uLaw intends to make the lawyer-client relationship more transparent, financially acceptable and based on sincere considerations.
uLaw’s functioning costs are supported by users depending on the chosen subscription.
Professional fees paid to uLaw by users are, once received by uLaw, retroceded to user-lawyers on the bank account indicated in his/her profile information in accordance with the Terms of Use as soon as possible and at the latest within 30 days after said amount was effectively perceived by uLaw. User-lawyers acknowledge and agree that he/she is not entitled to any interest, indemnity or other remuneration from uLaw directly.
uLaw does not introduce user-lawyers to users and is in no way remunerated for any business intermediation. Clientele growth is exclusively up to user-lawyers and uLaw intends to facilitate this process through its services. uLaw is therefore not remunerated when users enter into contact via uLaw or its services but will invoice a fee for its services if and to the extent that services are rendered by a user to another user.
uLaw intends to establish a great level of transparency in the lawyer-client relationship and is convinced that one of the most crucial aspects of said transparency consists in a clear and comprehensive communication as to the various aspects of their work and case. Among other, the predictability of the time necessitated to handle the case and of the correlative professional fees that should be due are key to ensure a healthy management of cases, such as a clear and complete explanation by the lawyer of tasks necessitated in order to be able to answer the client’s question. uLaw is convinced that a crucial element for a successful collaboration relies upon clarity regarding the work to be done, the expected timing and budget as well as regular contacts between the lawyer and his/her client concerning, among other, the amount of fees and their evolution in order to avoid accumulation of legal fees without a clear consent from the client.
Through its work method, uLaw allows users to address and structure all of these issues, reflecting by doing so their respective importance. The use of all tools proposed by uLaw is not mandatory, but it is however required when opening a new case on uLaw to establish Milestones, as the case may be, after preliminary discussions with the client. These Milestones represent the important steps of the case, the deliverable(s) and rhythm the invoicing of the related fees. All collaborations between users through uLaw rely upon Milestones that define the deliverable, for each step of the case, the payment of the fees being conditional upon its production. Visit our website for more information concerning the tools proposed by uLaw to optimally manage your case.
Once a Milestone is reached, user-clients are notified and asked to review the statement of fees and disbursement, to verify the achievement of the Milestone and to pay the corresponding invoice.
User-clients may pay these fees through uLaw that will inform the lawyer about the payment and allow him to continue working on the case and achieve the next Milestone.
Once the terms of collaboration defined by users (i.e., rate, Milestones, etc.), user-lawyers will record their work through uLaw by indicating the time spent (if applicable), the work performed and the corresponding fees.
As soon as logged (after having clicked on the ‘Submit’ button in the billing interface), the work reported in the uLaw billing system is recorded in the relevant billing statement for the Milestone concerned. After that moment, user-lawyers are still authorized to review the work logged via the uLaw billing system and adjust it if need be and apply a discount on the total amount. Such modifications are possible as long as the Milestone is not approved. After a Milestone’s approval, the statement becomes final.
Users can choose to replace the invoice generated by uLaw by their own invoices. In that event, the documents generated by uLaw will be considered as breakdowns between users which will mandatorily be completed by a valid invoice issued by the user lawyer concerned. Breakdowns generated by uLaw are binding among users as to the work performed and fees to which they relate.
All information transferred to uLaw are encrypted so that uLaw can in no circumstance have access to these information. You are and remain solely responsible for this information. Documents issued by uLaw are automatically generated by our system without any person from uLaw having access to the underlying information.
Should a user-client not approve the Milestone, the users concerned are invited to accomplish their best efforts to solve the issue amicably and settle it, if need be, through reductions applied on the amount of fees. uLaw warmly invites users to try finding a solution to their issue through a reasonable attitude and the understanding of the respective users situation.
Closing or invoicing a Milestone is definitive. A Milestone cannot be modified after having being closed and invoiced. For that reason, it is recommended to make sure any subcontractor has properly reported its fees and that the client agrees before closing and invoicing a Milestone.
It is the user-client’s responsibility to review notified billing statements when a Milestone is reached to validate the work delivered by the lawyer and make the payment of the professional fees in order to allow the case to be further handled.
If an issue relating to a Milestone may not be solved by the users concerned, each of said user may submit the dispute to uLaw by informing uLaw at the following address info@ulaw.be within two weeks after the notification relating to the Milestone concerned. In the event that user-client does not react or submit the dispute to uLaw within this two (2) week timeframe, the Milestone will be considered as approved and the corresponding invoice must be paid.
If a dispute is not solved within the above two week timeframe, users irrevocably commit to submit their dispute to uLaw before any other action in order to try finding an amicable settlement with the assistance of uLaw. uLaw will issue a non-binding preliminary settlement proposal as further detailed in the present Terms of Use (see the section relating to the conciliation program).
You allow uLaw to withhold funds and to not retrocede these funds in the event that (i) a provision of the Terms of Use is not respected, (ii) fraud is suspected, (iii) required information are not provided, (iv) uLaw may reasonably suspect that a Milestone or fees will not be approved or will have to be reimbursed, (v) uLaw may reasonably think that services rendered by a user-lawyer will or were not delivered with the requested performance, (iv) it would be required for internal inquiry purposes or (vii) by law. This provision is not applicable to lawyers' fees.
In case of fraud, uLaw reserves the right to take any appropriate measure, to terminate any contractual relationship with the user concerned and to claim for an indemnity aiming at indemnifying its damage. The same will apply in the event of false invoicing, double invoicing or any other misleading or fraudulent behavior.
Users allow uLaw to disclose and communicate any information relating to payments if required by law, decree or any other administrative or binding provision.
Users understand and accept that invoicing of professional fees is subject to Milestones being reached and that their payment allows to user-lawyer to continue handling the file.
Users understand and accept that any amount paid to uLaw is not reimbursable by uLaw and commit not to undertake any action aiming at obtaining such reimbursement from uLaw, including through any request to their banking institution or other action vis-à-vis the payment method used by users.
Any amount due to uLaw by a user may be compensated with any amount to be received by uLaw from such user (except for lawyers fees that are not covered by this provision).
Any infringement of the above provisions will be considered as a serious breach allowing uLaw to suspend the account of the user, withhold or retain any amount due to the latter and take any other measure provided by the Terms of Use.
In the event of a dispute concerning a Milestone, the users concerned are invited to make their best efforts to settle it amicably through a reduction of the fees, payment terms or other arrangements. Should users not come to a solution, the dispute may be notified and submitted to uLaw.
uLaw intends to place transparency at the heart of all aspects of the client-attorney relationship in order for it to rely on reciprocal trust. uLaw would like to remind users that the most efficient way to avoid misunderstandings regarding professional fees is to anticipate the questions raised by the opening of a new matter for a client and establish clear and comprehensive Milestones. In this respect, user-lawyers must precisely identify the issue raised by the user-client and users are invited to address the financial terms of their collaboration in full transparency as early as possible when envisaging to collaborate, through a shared definition of Milestones.
Therefore, any possible dispute is subject by uLaw to an optional conciliation step during which uLaw will make sure to remain impartial in order to propose a solution that meets and conciliates both parties’ interests.
In the event of an unresolved dispute, the users concerned may therefore submit their dispute to uLaw, before any other action is undertaken, in order to try finding an amicable settlement in accordance with the present conciliation program. Users commit to respect the below provisions aiming at encouraging as much as possible amicable settlements for any dispute.
The conciliation program is only available for users (i.e., registered on uLaw) complying with the Terms of Use who entered into relation with a user-lawyer in order to ask for his/her assistance.
The program is not applicable if the users concerned do not notify the dispute to uLaw within two weeks after the notification of the Milestone subject matter of the dispute. Failure to notify the dispute within the above timing implies the irrevocable approval of the Milestone at stake.
In the event that, before the expiry of said two weeks term, a notified billing statement has been disputed and that no amicable solution was found by the users, the conciliation program set forth by uLaw will apply as follows :
uLaw will first review the case (financial terms, deliverable, etc.) and will invite the users concerned to provide any additional information which they deem relevant to that purpose, via email sent to the address provided in the profile information of the users;
uLaw will afterwards adopt a non-binding position on the case and will submit its proposal to the users concerned ;
in the event that the users concerned accept to settle their dispute as proposed by uLaw, they will have to notify it in writing to uLaw that will apply the Terms of Use on that basis ;
Users are free to refuse the proposal formulated by uLaw and, in that case, will have to submit their dispute to the competent authority. uLaw reserves its right to perceive its remuneration regardless of the outcome of such disputes.
As soon as time or tasks are registered in the uLaw billing interface and the corresponding Milestone is approved, you may instruct uLaw to issue an invoice, on your behalf (in your name and for your account) to the attention of the user-client who has asked for the services to be rendered and to take all necessary measures to ensure its payment.
User lawyers have the choice to issue their own invoice in lieu of the invoice generated by uLaw by clicking the relevant option on uLaw. In that event, the lawyer must enclose an invoice corresponding to the Milestone concerned when closing and invoicing the latter (upload). Invoices issued by user lawyers must be in accordance with the breakdown generated by uLaw which is binding upon the parties and remains the only contractual ground for the invoiced fees. It is reminded that any information transferred to uLaw is encrypted and that uLaw can in no circumstance have access to this information, except information transmitted by users and exclusively pertaining to its relationship with uLaw (identification data, payment information).
When logging time or work in the uLaw billing interface, user-lawyers certify to have effectively performed this work or spent this time, entirely, in a satisfactory fashion and that the reported tasks and time are correct, precise and complete and expressly instruct uLaw to perform the tasks described here above.
uLaw may not be held responsible for any obligation imposed on users regarding the invoicing of the work delivered by user-lawyers.
In particular but without limiting the foregoing, user-lawyers are solely responsible for satisfying their fiscal and social obligations (filing, payment, listings, etc.) for income and value added tax purposes and social security purposes. In the event that a user must request withholdings, payments, declarations to be made by uLaw for personal reasons, he/she will be exclusively responsible of informing uLaw and of providing uLaw with the necessary documents, information and elements. Users accept that uLaw can take any measure that would be necessitated to comply with said obligations (filing, payment on behalf of, etc.) as well as its deontological obligations, including regarding the professional secrecy.
In the event that uLaw would be subject to an audit, users commit to react and answer promptly to any request emanating from uLaw in order to make this audit possible and to make his/her best efforts for cooperating with uLaw. Users agree to communicate copies of their tax return, social security filings and any other document required by the audit.
When a Milestone is reached, user-clients will receive a notification inviting them to review the billing statement pertaining to said Milestone and to pay the invoice. When clicking on the link “Approve”, users will be redirected to a secured payment interface that will ensure the payment of the fees and will, by doing so, confirm their approval of the Milestone and billing statement concerned.
Users understand and agree that the approval of a Milestone is subject to the effective payment of the corresponding fees and allows the user-lawyer(s) to continue working on the case.
User-clients allow and expressly instruct uLaw to perceive any amount that would be due for services rendered by user-lawyers through this payment method.
User-lawyers must also choose and indicate a valid payment method when paying the subscription due for the services provided by uLaw.
When providing information on/for the payment method, users acknowledge and certify (i) being legally authorized to provide such information, (ii) that he/she has the requested capacity for making such payments with these payment information’s, (iii) that using uLaw’s services and making a payment through the payment method as organized by the Terms of Use does not infringe any condition applicable to this payment method, to their use and is not illegal. When users mention and use a payment method, they commit and certify that such payment method is valid and sufficiently funded to ensure the payment of the fees invoiced for the services rendered. In the event that the payment method does not allow the effective payment of an invoice, users must solve this issue without delay or provide for another payment method. When introducing a payment method, users expressly authorize and instruct uLaw to perceive the fees invoiced from the bank account indicated as payment method.
uLaw exclusively operates in Euros. Any currency exchange is at the sole initiative of users who exclusively support any cost, fee, charge or loss due to the exchange.
Payments may be subject to charges or costs imposed or withheld by the operators concerned. All prices, rates and billing statements communicated by uLaw are exclusive of costs and other charges.
uLaw is not a party to the service agreements contracted between users which shall exclusively be concluded and in force between the users concerned. Said service agreement is subject to the terms and conditions proposed by the users on the website, agreed between them through further discussions or a call for tender. Users may depart from the terms and conditions proposed on the website as far as such terms and conditions comply with the Terms of Use and do not prevent uLaw from respecting its obligations or exercising its rights.
Users must make sure to agree on clear and exhaustive terms and conditions for the service contract concluded between them.
User-lawyers commit to perform the services for which he/she is contacted by another user diligently, professionally and in compliance with the applicable deontological rules. User-lawyers will make sure to deliver their work within the allotted timing. User-lawyers are exclusively responsible for the manner and resources used by them to render the services.
In order to ensure correct and precise invoicing, user-lawyers commit to personally and promptly log their time and work in the uLaw billing system. If a user subcontracts or delegates all or part of the work to be performed or the recording of his/her work or time, said user remains exclusively responsible for such recording and certifies that the person to which the tasks are delegated is authorized to do so. Users are exclusively responsible for such delegation or subcontracting and guarantee the compliance with the Terms of Use by any delegate, employee, agent, representative or other third party. The same is also applicable to the deontological obligations to be respected by lawyers.
If users are in default, meaning they fail to pay another user for services rendered or another reason, because the payment method is not sufficiently funded, because the payment information’s are not correct or for any other reason, uLaw will be entitled to terminate its agreement with said user, suspend the account, close it or erase it and to revoke his/her right to access the website. uLaw will also be entitled to withhold any amount due to the defaulting user.
Amounts due by users in accordance with the Terms of Uses must be paid upon request. Any amount due to uLaw which remains unpaid will bear interest a rate of 1% per month or the highest rate authorized by law. This provision is not applicable to lawyers' fees.
When registering on the website and agreeing on the Terms of Use, you agree and acknowledge that it consists in a valid digital signature within the meaning of the applicable law.
In connection with the website Terms of Use, you may be entitled to receive certain records from uLaw or our affiliates, such as contracts, notices, and communications, in writing. To facilitate your use of the website and the uLaw services, you give us permission to provide these records to you electronically instead of in paper form.
When registering on uLaw, you accept to receive, via the website or by email, all communications or documents relating to the services rendered in accordance with the Terms of Use and that uLaw could have to provide you with in paper form. Any consultation of these documents and information must be made via the website or by email. uLaw reserves its rights to communicate with you by regular mail. Your agreement on this will remain in force as long as not expressly terminated. Any renunciation will result in the termination of your relationship with uLaw, the deletion of your account and the impossibility to make use of the services offered by uLaw. Renunciations are never retroactive.
Users agree and acknowledge to keep copies of any relevant document or information deriving from the services offered by uLaw and user-lawyers and its website in order to constantly comply with their legal and administrative obligations and to provide uLaw with copies upon its request.
In order to allow uLaw providing its services, you agree and acknowledge updating your profile information as soon as any requested or mentionned information is modified or becomes not valid. Such updates must be done immediately. These information’s are subject to the uLaw privacy policy that you must explicitly approve as part of the Terms of Use.
In order for you to benefit from the services offered by uLaw, you must have access or possess (i) a valid email address, (ii) an operating system compatible with Windows, Mac, or the other usual operating systems, (ii) an internet connection, (iv) updated versions of the various software, browser, plug-in and other applications or software identified on the website, (v) an updated software allowing to read PDF files and (vi) a computer capable of operating the above elements. A printer is required should you wish to print documents or information sent by or through uLaw. These documents and information should be carefully kept.
When registering for an account on uLaw, you certify having the above requested equipment.
By registering for an account to use the website or services, by using the website or services, or by clicking to accept the Terms of Use when prompted on the website, you agree to abide by this agreement and the Terms of Use.
To access and use all or part of the website and services, you must register for an account. Subject to the Terms of Use, certain portions of the website are available to visitors, including those portions before your account registration is accepted. uLaw reserves the right to decline a registration to join uLaw or to add an account type, for any lawful reason, including supply and demand, cost to maintain data, or other business considerations.
If you create an account as an employee or agent on behalf of a company, you represent and warrant that you are authorized to enter into binding contracts, including the Terms of Use, on behalf of yourself and the company. You also represent and warrant having all necessary accreditations, authorizations, diploma's and more in general, that you meet all conditions imposed on the conduct of your professional activities. It is reminded to professions subject to deontological obligations that they must comply with their deontology as well as any other applicable provisions when registering on uLaw (including their identification obligation, obligation to mention the office addresse, etc.).
To register for an account or use the website and services, you must, and hereby represent that you (a) have or are an employee or agent of and authorized to act for an independent business (whether it be as a self-employed individual/sole proprietor or as a corporation, limited liability company, or other entity); (b) will use the website and services for legal purposes only; (c) will comply with any licensing, registration, or other requirements with respect to your business, or the business for which you are acting, and the provision of lawyer services; and (d) a legal entity or an individual 18 years or older (or have otherwise reached the age of majority in the jurisdiction in which you conduct business) who can form legally binding contracts.
By registering for an account and by accepting the Terms of Use when prompted, you acknowledge and agree (i) apply and comply with the Terms of Use, to (ii) be financially responsible for using the services offered by uLaw, to (iii) perform your obligations in accordance with the Terms of Use, except stipulated otherwise in the Terms of Use or legal authorization. uLaw reserves the right to terminate its relationship with any user who would not comply with the Terms of Use, to suspend, erase and delete his/her account, and to refuse, suspend or terminate his/her access to the uLaw website and applications if any information provided to uLaw is false, vague, uncomplete, misleading or confusing or in breach of any law or regulation.
Any request emanating from a user account, from an employee, agent, representative or other person affiliated or which may reasonably considered as affiliated or having a link with a user is considered as validly formulated by said user and engage the user vis-à-vis uLaw and its users, except otherwise indicated by you. In the event of doubt, it is lawyers’ duty to verify the contact person and the validity of the received instruction. User-lawyers are exclusively responsible for this verification.
You certify being authorized to use the website and services of uLaw without being prevented to by law, regulation, contract, decree, administrative provisions.
To register for an account to join the website, you must complete a user profile (“profile”), which you consent to be shown to other users and you agree to provide true, accurate, and complete information on your profile and all registration and other forms you access on the website or provide to us and to update your information to maintain its truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness. You agree not to provide any false or misleading information about your identity or location, your business, your skills, or the services your business provides and to correct any such information that is or becomes false or misleading. You agree not to have or register for more than one account without express written permission from uLaw. uLaw reserves the right to revoke the privileges of the account or access to or use of the website or services without warning if, in our sole discretion, false or misleading information has been provided in creating, marketing, or maintaining your profile or account.
You agree not to request or allow another person to create an account on your behalf, for your use, or for your benefit, except that an authorized employee or agent may create an account on behalf of your business and to respect the uLaw privacy policy as agreed by you.
Users acknowledge and agree that using certain applications may require profile information to be provided in order to allow uLaw to properly render its services. For instance, it is not allowed to pitch for jobs, open or subcontract cases without a properly validated profile.
When registering on the website, you accept that uLaw verifies your identity by any legal means and that the acceptance of your registration depend on this verification. Upon request, you must provide for any additional information which would be asked by uLaw to that purpose.
Especially pursuant to the European and Belgian regulations on money laundering, uLaw may be obliged to ask users to provide information regarding their identity, clients, companies, representatives and ultimate beneficiary of the operation subject matter of the uLaw services. In order for uLaw to do so, uLaw may request the following information from users :
The information will be kept in a confidential database used for identification purposes.
In the event that the information is not provided, uLaw may have to terminate the relationship with the user. For some operations as described by the applicable European and Belgian legislations, uLaw and user-lawyers may have to inform their Bar Association. User-lawyers are invited to refer to their deontological rules.
Users may choose to post their job on a no name basis on the platform. In that event, the user’s identity will not be revealed to other users during the call for bids process but only once a lawyer will be selected. Users agree and acknowledge that uLaw may communicate their contact details and identity to the selected candidate.
Users commit to respect this confidentiality and commit not to try circumventing it by disclosing or asking for information allowing identifying the user having posted its job, through the platform or otherwise. uLaw is not liable for any breach of the above obligation. Users agree and acknowledge that uLaw may, in its sole discretion, publish posted jobs on such a no name basis in order to avoid users circumventing the platform.
Users agree and acknowledge that uLaw may claim its remuneration as soon as services were rendered and delivered to such users, even though the user concerned would afterwards terminate its affiliation with uLaw.
When you register for an account, you will be asked to choose a username and password for the account. You are entirely responsible for safeguarding and maintaining the confidentiality of your username and password and agree not to share your username or password with any person who is not authorized to use your account. You authorize uLaw to assume that any person using the website with your username and password, either is you or is authorized to act for you. You agree to notify uLaw immediately if you suspect or become aware of any unauthorized use of your account or any unauthorized access to the password for any account. You further agree not to use the account or log in with the username and password of another user of the website if (a) you are not authorized to use either or (b) the use would violate the Terms of Use.
You acknowledge and agree that rating and user feedback benefit the marketplace, all users, and the efficiency of the website and services and you specifically request that uLaw establish that rating and posts composite or compiled feedback about users, including yourself, on user profiles and elsewhere on the website. You acknowledge and agree that the rating is based on various elements aiming at ensuring an objective evaluation. uLaw provides its rating system as a means through which users can share their opinions of other users publicly, and uLaw does not monitor, influence, contribute to or censor these opinions.
The rating is based, on the one hand, on objective criterions gathered regarding the career of the lawyer concerned (specialisation, seniority, publications, etc.) and, on the other hand, on users’ feedback. You agree and acknowledge that uLaw uses the rating for rendering its services but is not be obliged to communicate the confidential information on which it is based, for deontological or other reasons. This rating tool only aims at offering users a classification based on objective agreed criterions and does not intend to replace the rules, phonebooks, listings and other information published by Bar Associations. By registering on the website for an account, you accept that the information provided to uLaw may serve for determining this rating and that the rating is published on the website, if desired. User lawyers indeed decide whether their rating may be published on uLaw, or not. Depending on your choice as to the publication of the rating, you acknowledge and agree that uLaw may provide, communicate and place on its website any information (in compliance with the applicable deontological rules) regarding the profile and any user feedback. uLaw may in no circumstances be held liable regarding these information.
You agree not to use the rating for other purposes than helping users identifying an adequate profile through the website.
uLaw investigates as a rule the information received but has no obligation to investigate any information or remarks posted by users or other user content for accuracy or reliability but may do it, also upon request. You are solely responsible for your user content, including the accuracy of any user content, and are solely responsible for any legal action that may be instituted by other users or third parties as a result of or in connection with your user content if such user content is legally actionable or defamatory. uLaw is not responsible for any feedback or comments posted or made available on the website by any users or third parties, even if that information is defamatory or otherwise legally actionable. Users are exclusively responsible for holding uLaw harmless and indemnified of any damage resulting from the communication of invalid information on which the rating is based.
Any defamatory, disrespectful or in any way degrading comment is forbidden and may lead to the user account being suspended. uLaw moderates user feedback, only publish anonymized positive comments, and has the right to remove, modify or partly publish any user feedback but has no obligation to do so. You agree to notify uLaw immediately of any improper use of the rating or user feedback.
You agree to keep the information up to date as soon as necessary.
Subject to the provisions of the Terms of Use being complied with, uLaw and any affiliated person offers users applications and other tools that may contain intellectual property rights. Users agree and acknowledge to respect the ownership of these intellectual property rights and not to undertake any action which could violate the licensed rights or damage them. These rights and other prerogatives are the exclusive ownership of uLaw that keeps all right, title or interests pertaining thereto (including the website, software, application and other services offered by uLaw).
Any product name, logo, trademark, commercial name or symbol on the website or in the offered services were, if applicable, registered for legal protection and are the exclusive ownership of uLaw. The others are under the exclusive responsibility of the person publishing them.
When registering on the website, users receive a limited license to access and, if the profile is effectively created, to use the website and the intellectual property rights and other rights, products; application of uLaw for the time and to the extent necessitated for using the uLaw services. You may not try accessing the website and offered services otherwise than through the interface provided therefore by uLaw. You may not use the information posted on uLaw, the website, application or any other ownership of uLaw for other purposes than the one(s) for which they are intended. You agree not to propose other services than those authorized by lawyer deontology.
You agree not to modify, display, adapt, translate, loan, distribute, prepare derivative works from, decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble or otherwise attempt to derive source code from the software. You may not publish, redistribute, sublicense or sell the software or any information or material associated with the software. You may not rent, lease or otherwise transfer your rights to the software. You may not use the software in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden or impair the website, nor may you use the software in any manner that could interfere with any other party’s use and enjoyment of the website. You agree that you will use the software for lawful purposes and only in compliance with all applicable laws, including but not limited to copyright and other intellectual property laws. In addition, you shall not perform, nor release the results of any testing of the software to any third party without the prior written consent of uLaw. You also agree not to remove, obscure, or alter any copyright notice, trademarks or other proprietary rights notices contained within or accessed in conjunction with or through the software.
In no circumstances may user copy, improperly use, reproduce, divert or use the intellectual property rights concerned for other purposes than using the uLaw services. Nothing in the Terms of Use may be interpreted as or considered as granting a license or any right to user except explicitly stipulated by the Terms of Use.
You must not use any content of the website or the services on any other website or in a networked computer environment for any purpose except your own viewing without uLaw prior consent. You must not frame or link to the website except as permitted by uLaw. You must not attempt to reverse engineer, modify, adapt, translate, prepare derivative work from, decompile, attempt to interfere with the operation of, or otherwise attempt to derive source code from any part of the website or from the services unless explicitly allowed by applicable law. You will not access the website or services in order to build a similar service application or publish any performance, rating, benchmark analysis or test relating to the website or services.
Users are exclusively responsible for the service agreement concluded between them, including all aspects pertaining to intellectual property rights owned by them.
Users agree to assist uLaw to the greatest extent possible in order to allow uLaw to ensure compliance with its rights pertaining to any intellectual property.
When you post information on the website, you represent and warrant that you have the right, power and authority to post said information and grant a license to uLaw. You also represent and warrant that by posting or providing such content you do not violate third-party rights of any kind, including intellectual property rights, rights of publicity and privacy rights. To the extent the content provided by you is copyrightable, your represent and warrant and covenant that you are the owner of all the copyrights rights to such content and that uLaw may exercise the rights to your content granted under the Terms of Use without any liability or obligation for any payment.
You retain all ownership rights in any user content you post on uLaw. To the extent permitted by applicable law, you also grant to uLaw and its successors and affiliates a royalty-free, sub-licensable, transferable, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, list information regarding, edit, translate, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, and make derivative works of all such user content and your name, voice, and/or likeness as contained in your user content, in whole or in part, and in any form, media, or technology, whether now known or hereafter developed, for use in connection with the website and uLaw’s, our successors’ and affiliates’ businesses, including, without limitation, for promoting and redistributing part or all of the website (and derivative works thereof) in any media formats and through any media channels. You also hereby grant each user and each site visitor a non-exclusive license to access your user content through the website and to use, reproduce, distribute, and display such content to the extent permitted through the normal functionality of the website and subject to all applicable confidentiality and other provisions of the Terms of Use, privacy policy, and applicable law.
Licenses so granted by users will terminate within a reasonable timing after the deletion of your account, except the right for uLaw (its successor or affiliates) to keep and use data’s and elements to the extent permitted by law, without publishing or posting them.
You may submit comments or ideas about the website and services, including without limitation about how to improve the website or services. By submitting such ideas, you agree that: (a) your disclosure is voluntary, gratuitous, unsolicited, and without restriction and will not place uLaw under any fiduciary or other obligation, (b) your ideas do not contain the confidential or proprietary information of third parties, and (c) you grant uLaw a perpetual and royalty-free license to use the ideas without any additional compensation to you and to disclose the ideas on a non-confidential basis or otherwise to anyone. You further acknowledge and agree that, by acceptance of your submission, uLaw does not waive any rights to use similar or related ideas, including those known or developed by uLaw or obtained from sources other than you.
You may not use, or encourage, promote, facilitate, instruct or induce others to use, the website or services for any activities that violate any law, statute, ordinance or regulation; for any other illegal or fraudulent purpose or any purpose that is harmful to others; or to transmit, store, display, distribute or otherwise make available content that is illegal, fraudulent or harmful to others.
uLaw and its licensors retain all right, title, and interest in and to all intellectual property rights related in and to the website and the services.
The software, the site and the services are provided by uLaw ‘as is’ with no warranties whatsoever. uLaw expressly disclaims to the fullest extent permitted by law all express, implied and statutory warranties or merchantability, fitness for particular purposes and non infringement of proprietary rights. Computer programs are inherently complex and the software may not be free of errors. The software is provided with all faults and the entire risk as to satisfactory quality, performance, accuracy and effort is with you. uLaw disclaims any warranties regarding the security, reliability, timeliness and performance of the software, website and services. You understand and agree that you download and use the software, website and services at your own discretion and risk and that you will be solely responsible for any damages to your computer system or loss of date resulting from the download or use of the software, website or services.
To the extent that uLaw would have to ensure compliance with users’ rights and obligations in order to render its services, you explicitly authorize uLaw to represent you (act on your behalf) and specially mandate uLaw to that purpose as third-party having a specific interest. uLaw is therefore authorized to undertake any action to that end, including regarding user accounts and profiles.
Registering for a user account and creating a profile do not entrust users with other relationship or obligations than the ones explicitly described in the present Terms of Use.
uLaw may offers its services through a remunerated collaboration with user-lawyers.
uLaw does neither invoice or perceive legal fees nor any retrocession of such legal fees but receives a proper remuneration for services rendered (administration of the network and providing the supporting tools and applications : website, billing and collection inteface, rating tool, project management, etc.). Said remuneration is a lump sum compensation the amount of which depends on the type of subscription chosen by the user.
Fees and other pricing matters are freely defined by users and calculated according to the arrangement agreed between users. When proposing financial terms on uLaw through the tender interface or when accepting the terms posted on the website, you accept such financial terms and the present Terms of Use.
Cost and disbursements made on behalf of user-clients when performing requested tasks will be invoiced separately and subject to the same approval method as legal fees.
Except otherwise stipulated, all amounts are VAT, taxes, increases or supplements excluded (safe exceptions).
Rates and other financial terms may be amended from time to time by user-lawyers and said changes will be automatically applicable and enforceable, except if agreed in advance by the user-client, user-lawyer and uLaw.
Lawyer fees are, as a rule, subject to VAT.
Costs and disbursments such as travel costs, special mail, registration duties, etc. are invoiced to user-clients at cost, in addition to the legal fees and office costs discussed above. Said costs may be subject to VAT. To that end, user-lawyers must file a specific request through the uLaw billing interface and attach the supporting document(s) (see Dashboard).
uLaw reserves the right to terminate a relationship with a user in the event that fees or costs would remain unpaid.
Legal fees and costs are invoiced when a Milestone is reached after recording of the time, work and costs in the uLaw billing interface.
Transparency being at the heart of uLaw’s values, it is explicitly agreed by users to log their time and work promptly and before the closing of a Milestone.
Fees and costs are retroceded to user-Lawyers as soon as possible and at the latest within 30 days after their reception by uLaw.
Pursuant to the legal and deontological rules applicable to lawyers, uLaw (as network subject to the deontological rules of the lawyer profession) and user-lawyers are subject to very strict confidentiality obligations regarding information that may be provided by users. uLaw reminds user-lawyers their obligation to comply with all their deontological rules when using the uLaw services. uLaw explicitely declares that, as any recipient of confidential information protected by the professional secrecy, and pursuant to the applicable deontological rules, it will strictly comply with all applicable obligations in respect of professional secrecy and that it will, if need be, refer any issue to the Brussels Bar's deontological authority.
Users acknowledge and agree to respect the confidentiality attached to said information. No confidential information may be transferred, published or used by users without the explicit prior consent of the user from whom the information comes or owning it, except in order to render the requested services in accordance with the applicable rules. uLaw has no access to such information that are encrypted and is not able to intervene except by deletion of the data’s concerned from its servers.
Said obligation also applies vis-à-vis other persons that are, or were, users-clients or user-lawyer. The circumstance that user-lawyers provide assistance and legal services does not entail any obligation to disclose or use to the benefit of other users the confidential information concerning other users in their possession or that they could possess.
uLaw’s IT system allows a prompt reaction and to electronically manage cases concerning their administrative and interactive aspects. Other aspects than those proposed by uLaw are the exclusive responsibility of the users concerned.
When registering on uLaw for an account, user-lawyers and other professionals certify (i) having subscribed a valid professional insurance policy covering the risks deriving from their activity, (ii) being validly registered with the relevant Bar Association or other, if applicable, (iii) complying with their deontological obligations (including the payment of their contributions, (iv) not being condemned to any deontological sentence and (v) respecting alla obligations applicable to their professional activity. User-lawyers commit to strictly comply with their deontological obligations when performing their tasks for users.
User-lawyers are exclusively responsible for the work performed and services rendered to users and agree to indemnify and hold uLaw harmless from any claims from users in relation to the services rendered to said users.
No claim or action can be filed against uLaw for services rendered or missions performed by user-lawyers to users of uLaw.
uLaw is not responsible for the information posted on the website, sent through it or for the services offered. You agree not to rely on the website, the services, any information on the website or its continuation. The website and information are provided as is and on an as available basis uLaw makes no representation or warranties regarding the website, the services, product, applications or any activities or times related to this agreement or the Terms of Use. To the maximum extent permitted by law, uLaw disclaims all express and implied conditions, representations and warranties including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability, accuracy, fitness for a specific purpose, title and non infringement.
uLaw is not liable, and you agree not to hold uLaw responsible, for any damages or losses arising out of or in connection with the Terms of Use, including, but not limited to:
In no event shall uLaw, its affiliates, licensors or third party service providers be liable for any special, consequential, incidental, punitive, exemplary or indirect costs or damages, including but not limited to litigation costs, installation and removal costs, loss of data, production, profit or business opportunities. The liability of uLaw is in any circumstances limited to its remuneration for the services rendered to the user concerned.
In addition to the acknowledgment that uLaw is not a party to any contract between users, you hereby release uLaw, its affiliates and respective officers, directors, agents, subsidiaries, joint ventures, employees and service providers from claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with any dispute you have with another user, whether it be at law or in equity that exist as of the time you enter into this agreement. This release includes, for example and without limitation, any disputes regarding the performance, functions, and quality of the user-lawyer services provided to user-client and requests for refunds based upon disputes.
The collaboration with uLaw will terminate either at the initiative of the user, or at uLaw’s initiative, or when it will seem reasonable to consider that the account may be definitively deleted and closed and that no action were taken vis-à-vis such account since a reasonable time.
If a user wishes to terminate its contract with uLaw, he/she must contact uLaw by email (at info@ulaw.be) and subject to the effective receipt of the email or by registered mail, to request his/her account to be deleted and accomplish the requested action. The user will no longer be able to access the website and the services of uLaw. uLaw reserves the right to keep any relevant data pertaining to users after this moment and the right to ensure a proper application of the present Terms of Use. Users remain bound by the Terms of Use and by any obligation previously contracted after the closing and deletion of his/her account and authorize uLaw to accomplish any action aiming at ensuring compliance with it, among other situations, when an engagement is still in force with another user.
uLaw is in no circumstances obliged to reimburse all or part of its remuneration for services rendered to users, including in the event that a subscription plan is terminated by a user. Any affiliation with uLaw and subscription of one of uLaw’s plans is automatically renewed on a monthly basis and is valid for a month. In the event users terminate their affiliation and subscription plan, said termination will take effect as from the last day of the monthly period concerned and uLaw will have no obligation to reimburse the remuneration paid by the user for that month.
uLaw reserves the right to destroy any hard or soft copy five years after the termination date, as from the date on which the mission ended.
Without limiting the foregoing and any of uLaw rights, uLaw may limit the access to your account, suspend it as well as your access to the services and website in the event of breach of the Terms of Use, if false or erroneous information are communicated, if there is a risk of damage for another user, uLaw or a third-party, or if in the event of interactions that would be contrary to the interest of uLaw or of its community of members. In the event that your account is closed or suspended, you must not try to access uLaw’s website or services with another account or profile or create one without the prior written consent of ulaw. Any attempt will enable uLaw to any of the measures provided by the Terms of Use or legally admitted.
uLaw may suspend or close your account, but will have no obligation to do so, if uLaw thinks that you violated the Terms of Use, that you acted inconsistently with the Terms of Uses or their rationale, that you violated its rights or those of third-parties, if uLaw can not verify your information or if uLaw thinks that your actions could cause damages or any liability.
uLaw is in no way obliged to grant you access to the information available on the website and its applications after the suspension or deletion of your account. If practicable or requested by law, uLaw may however provide you with copies of certain documents as far as they do not are not older than five years since the suspension or deletion of your account. You however understand that uLaw may delete data’s and may in no circumstances be held liable responsible therefor.
The termination of the agreement with a user does not release the user from his/her obligations deriving from the Terms of Use and from the collaboration between uLaw and the user, including regarding the work performed by the user-lawyer. Users explicitly allow uLaw to recover any amount due by virtue of the Terms of Use after the termination of the agreement with uLaw.
uLaw will have no liability or obligation to retrocede any amount to any users to the extent that uLaw has not been able to perceive the correlative amount of fees or costs from the debtor user. uLaw does not represent or warrants any aspects thereof.
uLaw reserves the right to inform users of the suspension or deletion of an account and about the reason for such deletion or suspension.
Termination of the relationship between uLaw and a user is without prejudice to the survival of the Terms of Use that remain applicable to and enforceable against said user and to any other agreement concluded between the user and uLaw.
You acknowledge and agree that all communications to be made by uLaw to a user will be made by electronic means according to uLaw’s rules and conditions, the website and the services.
All communications from a user to uLaw must be made as provided by uLaw on its website and its applications and, if not provided, by registered mail to the registered seat of uLaw.
You agree and acknowledge not to use any robot, spider, scraper, or other automated means to access the website for any purpose without uLaw’s express written permission. You may not access the website and consult the website by other means or technology other than the interface provided.
You commit not to use the website to (i) conduct activities or actions that could jeopardize the integrity of or circumvent the website, services or uLaw's proprietary information, including interfering or attempting to interfere with the proper operation of the website or services or any activities conducted on the website, (ii) bypass any measures we may use to prevent or restrict access to the website or any subparts of it, including, without limitation, features that prevent or restrict use or copying of any content or enforce limitations on the use of the website or the content therein, (iii) attempt to interfere with or compromise the system’s integrity or security or decipher any transmissions to or from the servers running the website, (iv) use any robot, spider, scraper, or other automated means to access the website for any purpose without uLaw’s express written permission, (v) attempt to or interfere with or compromising the system integrity or security or deciphering any transmissions to or from the servers running the website, (vi) collect or harvest any personally identifiable information, including account names, from the website, (vii) attempt to or impose an unreasonable or disproportionately large load (as determined in uLaw’s sole discretion) on the website’s infrastructure, (ix) introduce any invalid data, virus, worm, or other harmful or malicious software code, agent, hidden procedure, routine, or mechanism through or to the website that is designed to or known to cause to cease functioning, disrupt, disable, harm, or otherwise impair in any manner, including aesthetic disruptions or distortions, the operation of (or to allow you or any other person to access or damage or corrupt data, storage media, programs, equipment, or communications or otherwise interfere with operations of or on) the website or any software, firmware, hardware, computer system, or network of uLaw or any third party, (x) or frame or link to the website or services except as permitted in writing by uLaw.
Any information or content expressed or made available by a third party or any other website visitor or user is that of the respective author(s) or distributor(s) and not of uLaw. uLaw neither endorses nor is responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, advice, information, or statement made on the website by anyone other than uLaw’s authorized agents acting in their official capacities.
The website may contain links to third-party websites. The website may also contain applications that allow you to access third-party websites via the website. Such third-party websites or applications are owned and operated by the third parties and/or their licensors. The inclusion of any link or application on the website does not imply that uLaw endorses the linked site or application. You use the links and third-party websites at your own risk and agree that your use of an application or third-party website accessed via the website is on an “as is” and “as available” basis without any warranty for any purpose.
When registering for an account, you agree and acknowledge that uLaw may use cookies in order to facilitate your browsing on the website. This section must be read together with the section relating to Privacy on which you will have to agree specifically.
Certain data’s are automatically transmitted to uLaw by cookies, including regarding :
Cookies are electronic files sent by our servers and placed on your computer’s drive. These cookies contain information that can only be read by uLaw when you visit the website. These cookies make your browsing of the website more efficient (for example, by avoiding that you would have to choose the language each time you connect yourself to the website). Users remain free to refuse the installation of cookies on their hard drive and to delete cookies saved on their hardware via the options proposed by their web browser.
A mobile application may offer access to part or all of the website and services functionalities of uLaw. You agree and acknowledge that all functionalities may not be available when accessed through mobile interfaces.
uLaw may at its sole discretion update the website, the services and applications. Such updates may concern evolutions, technical solutions, security or any other relevant element. Updates may amend or delete certain functionalities of the website, services and applications. You agree and acknowledge that uLaw is not obliged to update the website and does not represent any performance of the website, including as to the continuity of the website and services. You agree to install updates as soon as proposed or suggested by uLaw and to allow any new functionality. The website and services may not function correctly should you not accept updates.
The Terms of Use will be entirely and automatically applicable to any update and uLaw reserves the right to suspend or stop the website and services. You agree and acknowledge that uLaw may not be held responsible for any update of the website, applications, services or software. You may always close your account in accordance with the Terms of Uses.
Without prejudice to the foregoing, the present general terms apply to uLaw and any affiliated person intervening in the provision of services by uLaw. The Terms of Use apply to any past, present or future services or work of uLaw. The Terms of Use may be amended without obligation for uLaw to notify it in order for the amendment to become applicable and enforceable and may be consulted at the following address (Terms of Service).
The Terms of Use form, together with their annexes, the entire agreement between users and uLaw. It replaces and cancels any previous agreement, communication, offer, proposal or correspondence, written or oral, exchanged or concluded between users and uLaw as to the same subject-matter.
The Terms of Use may not be amended by users without prior written consent from uLaw.
uLaw’s failure to act with respect to a breach by you or others does not waive its right to act with respect to subsequent or similar breaches. uLaw does not guarantee it will take action against all breaches of the Terms of Use.
If and to the extent any provision of the Terms of Use is held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in whole or in part under applicable law, such provision or such portion thereof will be ineffective as to the jurisdiction in which it is illegal, invalid, or unenforceable to the extent of its illegality, invalidity, or unenforceability and will be deemed modified to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law so as to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties.
The illegality, invalidity, or unenforceability of such provision in that jurisdiction will not in any way affect the legality, validity, or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction or of any other provision in any jurisdiction.
User may not assign the Terms of Use, or any of its rights or obligations hereunder, without uLaw’s written prior consent in the form of a written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of uLaw. uLaw may freely assign its agreement and the Terms of Use without user’s consent. Any attempted assignment or transfer in violation of this subsection will be null and void. Subject to the foregoing restrictions, the Terms of Use are binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the successors, heirs, and permitted assigns of the parties.
The French language version of the Terms of Use will be controlling in all respects and will prevail in case of any inconsistencies with translated versions, if any.
The parties to this agreement will not be responsible for the failure to perform or any delay in performance of any obligation hereunder for a reasonable period due to labor disturbances, accidents, fires, floods, telecommunications or Internet failures, strikes, wars, riots, rebellions, blockades, acts of government, governmental requirements and regulations or restrictions imposed by law or any other similar conditions beyond the reasonable control of such party.
If a dispute arises between you and uLaw, you agree to first try resolving this amicably. Any claim or dispute must be notified to uLaw by registered mail sent its registered office. Users and uLaw commit to make their best efforts to settle the dispute amicably.
In the event that no solution can be found between you and uLaw further to this first conciliation step, users and uLaw expressly agree that the dispute will be submitted to a college of 3 arbitrators organized in accordance with the CEPANI arbitration rules.