TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. INTRODUCTION

LawBridgeUp (“we”, “us”, “our” or “the Platform”) is a technology-enabled platform that connects members of the public seeking legal services (“Clients”) with Legal Practitioners and Law Firms. It also facilitates connections among Legal Practitioners and Law Firms, provides a space for sharing general legal information and educational materials, and operates an online marketplace for permitted legal books, publications, templates and related materials. By accessing, registering on, communicating through, purchasing from or otherwise using LawBridgeUp, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

2. DEFINITIONS

“Client” means a person or organisation seeking legal services through the Platform. “Legal Practitioner” means a person duly qualified and authorised to practise law in Nigeria. “Law Firm” means a law firm or legal practice lawfully operating in accordance with Nigerian law. “User” means any person accessing or using LawBridgeUp. “Marketplace” means the e-commerce section of the Platform through which permitted legal materials and products may be offered for sale. “Content” means articles, comments, reviews, documents, profiles, photographs, videos, legal information and other material submitted or published through the Platform.

3. LAWBRIDGEUP’S ROLE

LawBridgeUp is a technology platform and is not itself a law firm, Legal Practitioner or provider of legal advice or representation merely by operating the Platform. The Platform facilitates connections between Clients, Legal Practitioners and Law Firms but does not guarantee the competence, suitability, availability, professional conduct or outcome of any Legal Practitioner or Law Firm. Any lawyer-client relationship created through the Platform is solely between the relevant Client and Legal Practitioner or Law Firm. A Client’s enquiry or communication through LawBridgeUp does not automatically create a lawyer-client relationship.

4. LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND LAW FIRMS

Legal Practitioners and Law Firms using LawBridgeUp must provide accurate professional information and comply with all applicable Nigerian laws and professional obligations, including the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA) and applicable Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC).”, as amended or replaced from time to time.
Practitioners and Law Firms remain responsible for:

LawBridgeUp does not exercise professional judgment on behalf of Legal Practitioners or Law Firms. Law Firms may create organisational profiles, display authorised practitioners, publish permitted professional information, receive Client enquiries and advertise lawful employment, internship or professional opportunities.

5. CLIENTS

Clients are responsible for providing accurate information concerning their legal enquiries and for independently assessing the suitability of a Legal Practitioner or Law Firm.
Clients should avoid submitting highly confidential or privileged information until they have established a professional relationship with the relevant Legal Practitioner or Law Firm.
LawBridgeUp does not guarantee that a Practitioner or Law Firm will accept a matter or achieve a particular legal outcome.

6. LEGAL INFORMATION

LawBridgeUp may publish or host articles, case updates, legal commentary, educational resources and other general legal information. Such information is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and legal positions may change, and users should obtain professional advice before relying on information in relation to a specific matter. Content published by a User represents that User’s views and does not necessarily represent the views of LawBridgeUp.

7. PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING

LawBridgeUp may provide a networking environment for Legal Practitioners and Law Firms to exchange knowledge, collaborate, make professional connections and share opportunities.
Users must maintain professional standards and must not disclose confidential Client information, engage in fraud, unlawful solicitation or any conduct contrary to applicable law or professional rules.
Any professional, referral, employment or business arrangement formed through the Platform is solely between the relevant parties.

8. USER CONTENT

Users may be permitted to publish articles, comments, reviews and other Content.
Users are responsible for Content they submit and must ensure that it is lawful, accurate and does not infringe another person’s intellectual property, privacy, confidentiality or other rights.
LawBridgeUp may moderate, restrict or remove Content that violates these Terms, applicable law or professional obligations.
Users must not use the Platform to impersonate others, publish fraudulent or defamatory material, harass persons, upload malicious software, infringe intellectual property rights, manipulate reviews or engage in unlawful activities.

9. MARKETPLACE AND E-COMMERCE

LawBridgeUp may operate a Marketplace for lawful legal books, publications, educational materials, templates, stationery and other approved products. Products may be supplied by LawBridgeUp or independent Vendors. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that they have the legal right to sell or distribute products offered through the Marketplace. Users must not sell counterfeit, pirated, stolen, unlawful or otherwise prohibited products, or confidential Client documents without lawful authority. Prices, payment arrangements, delivery, cancellation, returns and refunds shall be governed by the applicable Marketplace and Refund Policies displayed on the Platform. Where third-party payment or delivery providers are used, their applicable terms may also apply.

10. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

LawBridgeUp owns or is authorised to use its branding, software, design and original Platform content unless otherwise stated.
Users retain ownership of lawful Content they submit but grant LawBridgeUp a non-exclusive licence to host, display, reproduce and use such Content as reasonably necessary to operate and promote the Platform.
Purchasing a book, publication, template or digital material does not transfer copyright or other intellectual-property rights to the purchaser unless expressly stated.

11. PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

LawBridgeUp may collect and process personal information necessary to operate the Platform. Personal data shall be handled in accordance with applicable Nigerian data-protection laws, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and LawBridgeUp’s Privacy Policy. Users must not unlawfully collect, disclose or misuse another person’s personal information.

12. DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

LawBridgeUp does not guarantee: To the extent permitted by law, LawBridgeUp shall not be responsible for professional advice or services provided by Legal Practitioners or Law Firms, disputes between Users, acts of independent Vendors, inaccurate information supplied by Users, or losses resulting from misuse of the Platform. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under Nigerian law.

13. SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION

LawBridgeUp may suspend, restrict or terminate an account where a User breaches these Terms, provides false information, engages in fraudulent or unlawful conduct, compromises Platform security, violates applicable professional obligations or otherwise creates a significant risk to the Platform or other Users.
LawBridgeUp may also remove unlawful or prohibited Content.

14. REPORTING AND COMPLAINTS

Users may report suspected fraud, impersonation, professional misconduct, unlawful Content, privacy violations, intellectual-property infringement or other breaches of these Terms. LawBridgeUp may investigate complaints and, where appropriate, refer matters to relevant professional, regulatory, law-enforcement or judicial authorities.

15. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Users shall first attempt to resolve disputes arising from these Terms amicably and in good faith. Where an amicable resolution cannot be reached, the dispute may be submitted to a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria, subject to any applicable arbitration or alternative dispute-resolution agreement.

16. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

LawBridgeUp may modify its services and update these Terms from time to time. Material changes may be communicated through the Platform or other appropriate means. Continued use of LawBridgeUp after revised Terms become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms, subject to applicable law.