Terms & Conditions

Acceptance of Terms

These Terms and Conditions constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Hartley Chambers regarding your use of our website and legal services. By accessing our website or engaging our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms.

If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, you must not access or use our website or services. Your continued use constitutes ongoing acceptance of these terms and any future modifications.

1. User Obligations and Conduct

1.1 Legal Compliance

You agree to use our website and services in compliance with:

• • All applicable laws and regulations of England, Wales, and the United Kingdom
• • These Terms and Conditions and any additional terms applicable to specific services
• • Professional conduct requirements and regulatory standards governing solicitors
• • Any instructions or requirements we communicate to you

1.2 Prohibited Activities

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

• • Providing false, inaccurate, or misleading information to us
• • Using our services to facilitate illegal activities, fraud, or money laundering
• • Attempting to bypass security measures or gain unauthorised access to our systems
• • Interfering with the proper functioning of our website or services
• • Harassing, threatening, or abusing our staff or other users
• • Violating intellectual property rights or any third-party rights

1.3 Content Guidelines

When communicating with us or submitting information through our website, you must ensure that content is:

• • Accurate, truthful, and not misleading
• • Respectful and professional in tone
• • Free from offensive, abusive, or inappropriate material
• • Compliant with applicable privacy and data protection laws

1.4 Age Restrictions

You must be at least 18 years of age to engage our legal services. By using our services, you represent that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.

2. Client Responsibilities

2.1 Information and Documentation

When engaging our services, you agree to:

• • Provide complete, accurate, and timely information relevant to your legal matter
• • Disclose all material facts, even if you believe they may be unfavourable
• • Provide all requested documentation in a timely manner
• • Update us promptly of any changes in circumstances affecting your matter

2.2 Communication

You are responsible for:

• • Maintaining current and accurate contact information
• • Responding promptly to our communications and requests
• • Notifying us of preferred communication methods and any restrictions
• • Reading and acknowledging important communications we send

2.3 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Hartley Chambers, our solicitors, and staff from any claims, losses, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your breach of these Terms and Conditions, your use of our services, or your violation of any law or third-party rights.

3. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

3.1 Website Disclaimer

Our website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we make no warranties or representations regarding:

• • The accuracy, completeness, or currency of website content
• • The availability, reliability, or security of the website
• • The suitability of website content for any particular purpose
• • Freedom from viruses, malware, or other harmful components

3.2 No Legal Advice Disclaimer

General information provided on our website does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice can only be provided after we have:

• • Established a formal solicitor-client relationship
• • Reviewed the specific facts and circumstances of your matter
• • Conducted appropriate legal research and analysis

You should not rely on website content as a substitute for professional legal advice tailored to your situation.

3.3 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Hartley Chambers shall not be liable for:

• • Any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
• • Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• • Damages arising from your use or inability to use our website
• • Reliance on information obtained through our website

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law. For matters where we have been formally engaged, our liability is governed by our terms of engagement and professional indemnity insurance.

3.4 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, war, terrorism, civil disturbance, government actions, pandemics, technical failures, or industrial disputes.

4. Legal and Regulatory Information

4.1 Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. You agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising from these terms.

4.2 Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute:

• • We encourage you to contact us first to seek an informal resolution
• • If you have a complaint about our legal services, you may use our internal complaints procedure
• • You may have the right to refer complaints to the Legal Ombudsman or Solicitors Regulation Authority

4.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court:

• • That provision shall be deemed severed from these terms
• • All remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect
• • The invalid provision shall be replaced with a valid provision that most closely achieves the intended effect

4.4 Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Hartley Chambers regarding your use of our website. For specific legal matters, our terms of engagement will govern the provision of legal services.

5. Modification of Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. When we make changes:

• • We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
• • Significant changes may be communicated through website notices or email
• • Continued use of our website after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms

We encourage you to review these Terms and Conditions periodically to stay informed of any updates.

6. Professional Standards and Regulation

Hartley Chambers is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). We are bound by the SRA Standards and Regulations, which set professional and ethical standards for solicitors in England and Wales.

Our services are provided in accordance with these professional standards, which may in some circumstances override provisions in these Terms and Conditions. In the event of any conflict, our professional obligations take precedence.

Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us: