User Agreement

1. Introduction & Definitions

1.1 Contract

This User Agreement ("Agreement" or "Terms") constitutes a legally binding contract between you and CounselConnect ("Platform", "we", "us", "our"). By creating an account, accessing, or using any of our Services, you agree to be bound by this Agreement, our Privacy Policy, our Billing & Refund Policy, our Safety & Disclaimer Policy, and our Community Guidelines, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

If you do not agree to this Agreement, do not create an account or use the Services. If you wish to terminate this Agreement at any time, you may do so by closing your account and ceasing all use of the Services.

1.2 Our Mission

CounselConnect is a professional networking platform designed to connect Kenyan advocates and legal professionals, enabling them to collaborate, exchange knowledge, find professional opportunities, and build trusted professional relationships within the legal community.

1.3 Definitions

Throughout this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:

• "Advocate" means a person admitted as an advocate under the Advocates Act (Cap 16, Laws of Kenya) and registered with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
• "Member" means any individual who has registered for an account on the Platform.
• "Visitor" means any individual who accesses the Platform without registering for an account.
• "Services" means the CounselConnect website, mobile applications, and all related features, tools, content, and functionality offered through the Platform, including but not limited to: the social feed, jobs/briefs, mentorship, events, marketplace (Deal Flow), fundraising, condolences, messaging, groups, channels, gazette monitoring, fee calculator, advertising, affiliate programme, and support services.
• "Content" means all user-generated material including but not limited to: text posts, articles, questions, gig listings, condolence posts, fundraiser posts, polls, event listings, milestone announcements, marketplace listings, mentorship posts, comments, messages, images, documents, videos, audio files, profile information, reviews, ratings, endorsements, and any other information submitted to the Platform.
• "Brief" means a job or task posted on the Platform by one advocate seeking the professional services of another advocate, including but not limited to court attendance, case management, applications, drafting, registry services, and land matters.
• "Mentor" means a Member who offers professional mentorship services through the Platform.
• "Mentee" means a Member who engages a Mentor for professional mentorship services through the Platform.
• "Advertiser" means a Member or entity that creates and runs advertising campaigns on the Platform.
• "Affiliate" means a Member enrolled in the CounselConnect Affiliate Programme who promotes the Platform in exchange for commissions.
• "Deal Flow" means the Platform's marketplace feature for listing and discovering property, businesses, vehicles, assets, and other items for sale or wanted.
• "Gazette Monitor" means the Platform's feature for scanning and monitoring the Kenya Gazette for keywords relevant to users.
• "Fee Calculator" means the Platform's tool for computing indicative legal fee estimates based on the Advocates (Remuneration) Order.
• "AI Chat Service" means the AI-powered legal research chatbot available at chat.counselconnect.co.ke that generates responses to legal queries based on Kenyan case law and statutes.
• "Case Briefs Service" means the AI-powered case brief generation tool available at cases.counselconnect.co.ke that produces structured summaries of Kenyan court judgments.
• "Platform Fee" means any fee, commission, or charge collected by CounselConnect for facilitating transactions or providing Services.
• "KES" means Kenya Shillings, the official currency of the Republic of Kenya.

2. Eligibility & Account

2.1 Eligibility

To use the Services, you must:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract under the laws of Kenya;
• Not be a person barred from using the Services under the laws of Kenya or any applicable jurisdiction;
• If registering as an advocate, be duly admitted and registered with the Law Society of Kenya.

2.2 Account Registration

You agree to:

• Register only one (1) account, which must be in your real, legal name;
• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and at all times;
• Not create an account on behalf of another person without their express authorisation;
• Keep your login credentials confidential and not share your account with any other person;
• Immediately notify us of any unauthorised access to or use of your account.

You are solely responsible for all activity that occurs under your account, whether or not you authorised such activity. Creating an account with false information, including accounts registered on behalf of others without authorisation, is a material violation of this Agreement.

2.3 Account Suspension & Termination

We reserve the right to suspend, restrict, or terminate your account at our sole discretion, with or without notice, if we reasonably believe that you have: (a) violated this Agreement or any applicable law; (b) engaged in fraudulent, abusive, or harmful conduct; (c) created multiple accounts; (d) provided false or misleading information; or (e) engaged in any conduct that is detrimental to the Platform, other Members, or third parties. The grounds listed above are not exhaustive.

3. Platform Role & Disclaimers

IMPORTANT: CounselConnect is a technology platform that facilitates connections between legal professionals. We are NOT a law firm, legal services provider, employer, employment agency, event organiser, financial institution, escrow service, or agent of any Member. We do not practise law, provide legal advice, supervise legal work, or guarantee any outcomes.

3.1 Facilitator Only

The Platform provides the technological infrastructure through which Members may connect, communicate, transact, and collaborate. We are not a party to any agreement, engagement, transaction, or relationship formed between Members through the Platform. All such agreements are solely between the relevant Members.

3.2 No Verification of Quality

While we may offer identity verification features (such as LSK number verification), such verification confirms only that a Member's LSK registration number was valid at the time of verification. We do not verify, endorse, guarantee, or warrant the quality, competence, accuracy, reliability, integrity, or legality of any services offered or performed by any Member, nor do we verify the accuracy of any Content posted on the Platform.

3.3 No Responsibility for Member Conduct

We are not responsible for the conduct, whether online or offline, of any Member. We do not screen Members for suitability, competence, or reliability, except to the limited extent described in our verification features. You interact with other Members at your own risk.

3.4 Independent Professionals

Members who offer services through the Platform (including Mentors, advocates accepting Briefs, event organisers, marketplace sellers, and Affiliates) are independent professionals or entities. They are not employees, agents, contractors, or representatives of CounselConnect. No joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship is created between CounselConnect and any Member.

4. Jobs & Briefs

4.1 Nature of the Service

The Platform enables advocates to post and accept Briefs for professional legal services, including but not limited to: court attendance, case management, applications and motions, legal drafting, registry services, land matters, and other legal work. The Platform merely facilitates the posting and discovery of Briefs; it does not assign work, supervise performance, or mediate disputes except as expressly stated herein.

4.2 No Employment Relationship

The posting and acceptance of a Brief does not create an employment relationship, partnership, joint venture, or agency between the posting advocate, the accepting advocate, and/or CounselConnect. Each advocate acts as an independent professional responsible for their own work.

4.3 Platform Liability Exclusions

CounselConnect is not liable for and makes no representations or warranties regarding:

• The quality, timeliness, accuracy, completeness, or legality of any work performed under a Brief;
• Missed court dates, filing deadlines, or other time-sensitive obligations;
• Any breach of client confidentiality or privilege between parties;
• Professional misconduct, malpractice, or negligence by any advocate;
• Court outcomes, rulings, or judgments resulting from work performed;
• Payment disputes between the posting and accepting advocates;
• The accuracy of fee suggestions provided by the Platform.

4.4 Public Nature of Brief Postings & Privileged Information

Brief postings are public. Once you post a Brief, its contents (including the title, description, jurisdiction, document type, deadline, and fee) are visible to all Members of the Platform who may view or apply for the Brief, and may be indexed by search engines or cached by third parties.

You must not include in a public Brief posting any information that is subject to advocate-client privilege or a duty of confidentiality, including but not limited to: client names, national ID numbers, or other identifying details; specific communications between you and your client; legal advice given, litigation strategy, or settlement positions; case file numbers, unfiled pleadings, or sealed matters; financial information, account numbers, or commercially sensitive terms; and any other matter covered by privilege or a duty of confidentiality under the Advocates Act (Cap 16), the LSK Code of Conduct, the Evidence Act, or any other applicable law, rule, or professional obligation.

You may share privileged or confidential information with an accepting advocate privately, after you have selected them and subject to your own obligations under the Advocates Act, the LSK Code of Conduct, and any applicable privilege or confidentiality rules. You are solely responsible for determining whether, when, and how to share such information and for obtaining any client authorisations required before doing so.

CounselConnect is not liable for, and makes no representations or warranties regarding, any loss, damage, claim, professional sanction, disciplinary action, or breach of privilege or confidentiality arising from: (a) your decision to include privileged or confidential information in a public Brief posting; (b) any subsequent viewing, copying, screenshotting, indexing, or redistribution of such information by any person; (c) your sharing of information with an accepting advocate or any other Member; or (d) your failure to comply with your own professional, ethical, or legal obligations. You agree to indemnify CounselConnect in accordance with Section 28 against any such claims.

4.5 User Obligations

When posting or accepting Briefs, you agree to:

• Independently verify the credentials and current practising certificate status of any advocate you engage;
• Execute a written engagement letter or brief instruction outside the Platform for all substantive matters;
• Comply with all obligations under the Advocates Act (Cap 16), the Law Society of Kenya Act, and the LSK Code of Conduct;
• Maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance;
• Handle all confidential and privileged information in accordance with applicable legal and ethical obligations, including the rule that privileged information must not be included in a public Brief posting (see Section 4.4);
• Obtain any client authorisations required before sharing privileged or confidential information with an accepting advocate;
• Report any professional misconduct to the appropriate authorities, including the LSK Disciplinary Committee.

4.6 Payments for Briefs

Payment for Briefs is facilitated through the Platform via Paystack (M-Pesa or card). The Platform Fee for facilitation is non-refundable. Payment disputes between parties should be raised via the Platform's dispute mechanism within thirty (30) days of the transaction. See our Billing & Refund Policy for details.

5. Mentorship

5.1 Nature of the Service

The Platform enables Members to offer and book professional mentorship sessions. Mentorship is professional guidance and knowledge-sharing between legal professionals. Mentorship does not constitute legal advice, legal representation, or the establishment of an advocate-client relationship.

5.2 Mentor Independence

Mentors are independent professionals, not employees, agents, or representatives of CounselConnect. The Platform does not certify, endorse, or warrant the qualifications, expertise, or suitability of any Mentor. Mentees should independently assess whether a Mentor's qualifications meet their needs.

5.3 Platform Liability Exclusions

CounselConnect is not liable for:

• The accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any advice or guidance provided during mentorship sessions;
• Career outcomes, professional development results, or any decisions made based on mentorship;
• Technical issues with virtual sessions (connectivity, recording, etc.);
• Disputes between Mentors and Mentees;
• No-shows by either party.

5.4 Fees & Cancellations

The Platform charges a twenty percent (20%) platform fee on paid mentorship sessions. Mentors set their own rates and availability. Cancellation and refund terms are detailed in our Billing & Refund Policy. Mentors are paid the net amount (gross minus Platform Fee) after session completion.

5.5 Reviews & Ratings

Members may rate and review mentorship sessions. Reviews must be honest, factual, and relate to the mentorship experience. Fraudulent, malicious, or retaliatory reviews are prohibited. CounselConnect reserves the right to remove reviews that violate this Agreement or our Community Guidelines.

6. Events

6.1 Nature of the Service

The Platform enables Members to create, promote, and register for professional events, including conferences, seminars, workshops, networking events, and webinars. The Platform facilitates event discovery and registration only.

6.2 Organiser Responsibility

Event organisers are solely responsible for: the accuracy of event information; venue safety and suitability; speaker credentials and content accuracy; compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including health and safety requirements); insurance; and the fulfilment of all obligations to attendees.

6.3 Attendee Assumption of Risk

By registering for or attending any event listed on the Platform, you acknowledge and agree that:

• You attend at your own risk;
• CounselConnect does not vet, endorse, or guarantee any event, organiser, venue, or speaker;
• CounselConnect is not liable for any injuries, property damage, theft, assault, health risks, traffic incidents, food safety issues, or any other harm arising from your attendance at any event;
• For virtual events, you are responsible for your own technology, connectivity, and data security;
• Health protocols (including COVID-19 or other infectious disease measures) are the organiser's responsibility;
• Event terms and conditions set by the organiser apply in addition to this Agreement.

6.4 Event Payments & Refunds

Event registration fees are processed through the Platform. Refund terms are detailed in our Billing & Refund Policy. The Platform is not responsible for refunding fees for events cancelled or modified by the organiser, except as expressly stated in the Billing Policy.

7. Marketplace & Deal Flow

7.1 Nature of the Service

The Platform's Deal Flow feature enables Members to list and discover property, businesses, vehicles, assets, and other items for sale or wanted. All transactions are peer-to-peer between the listing Member and the interested buyer.

7.2 Platform Disclaimers

CounselConnect:

• Does not take custody of, hold in escrow, or otherwise handle any goods, funds, or property;
• Does not verify the existence, quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of any listing;
• Does not verify that sellers have legal title to listed items;
• Does not guarantee that any transaction will be completed;
• Is not a party to any transaction between Members;
• Provides no warranty, express or implied, on any goods or services listed.

7.3 User Obligations

When using the marketplace, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, truthful descriptions of listed items including condition, features, and price;
• Only list items for which you have legal title or authority to sell;
• Conduct your own due diligence before purchasing any item;
• Inspect goods before making payment;
• Meet in safe, public locations for in-person transactions;
• Not list prohibited items, including items that are illegal, stolen, counterfeit, or infringe third-party intellectual property rights;
• Comply with all applicable Kenyan laws regarding the sale and purchase of goods and services.

8. Fundraising & Condolences

8.1 Fundraising

The Platform enables Members to create fundraiser posts with contribution tracking, target amounts, and payment details (M-Pesa and/or bank transfer). CounselConnect:

• Does not verify the legitimacy, identity, or credibility of any fundraiser organiser or the purpose of any fundraiser;
• Does not audit, track, or guarantee the use of contributed funds;
• Does not guarantee that contributions will reach the intended beneficiary or purpose;
• Is not responsible for incorrect M-Pesa numbers, bank account details, or any other payment information provided by the organiser;
• Is not a financial intermediary or charitable organisation;
• Does not provide tax receipts or guarantee tax-deductibility of contributions.

Contributors donate entirely at their own risk and should independently verify the legitimacy of any fundraiser before contributing. All contributions are non-refundable.

8.2 Condolence Posts

The Platform enables Members to create condolence posts with optional contribution tracking and M-Pesa details. In addition to the fundraising disclaimers above:

• CounselConnect does not verify death, funeral, or memorial details;
• CounselConnect is not responsible for inaccurate obituary or memorial information;
• Users must have the consent of the deceased's family or estate before posting condolence information;
• Contributions to condolences are between the contributor and the organiser, and are non-refundable;
• CounselConnect is not liable for the misuse of condolence funds.

9. Content Types

The Platform supports multiple content types, each subject to specific terms in addition to the general Content and Intellectual Property provisions in Section 15.

9.1 Articles & Long-Form Content

Members may publish articles and long-form content. The author retains copyright and grants the Platform a licence as described in Section 15. The Platform provides no editorial review — the author is solely responsible for the accuracy, legality, and professional compliance of published articles. Articles do not constitute legal advice unless the author explicitly states otherwise and assumes the corresponding professional liability.

9.2 Questions & Answers

Members may post questions and provide answers. Answers are peer opinions and do not constitute legal advice. No advocate-client relationship is created through Q&A interactions. The Platform does not verify the accuracy of any answer. Users rely on answers at their own risk and should seek independent professional advice for legal matters.

9.3 Polls

Members may create polls for the community. Poll results are informal, non-binding, and non-scientific. The Platform does not guarantee poll integrity or prevent manipulation. Poll data may be used for Platform analytics. Users should not rely on poll results for professional or business decisions.

9.4 Milestones

Members may post milestone announcements (e.g., years of practice, appointments, achievements). The Member is solely responsible for the accuracy of milestone claims. The Platform does not verify milestone achievements, and the display of a milestone does not constitute Platform endorsement or verification.

9.5 Gig Posts

Gig posts are peer-to-peer service offerings with indicative budget ranges. The terms applicable to Jobs & Briefs (Section 4) apply to gig posts. The Platform is not a party to any gig agreement, and arrangements regarding remote or in-person work are solely between the parties.

10. Feed & Content Discovery

10.1 Algorithmic Feed

The Platform uses algorithms to curate and order content in your feed based on engagement signals, recency, your connections, topics you follow, and other factors. The Platform does not guarantee that any particular Content will appear in any Member's feed, nor does it guarantee any particular level of visibility or reach for your Content.

10.2 Trending Content

Trending content is determined by automated Platform algorithms based on engagement metrics. Trending status does not constitute Platform endorsement.

10.3 Saved Posts & Bookmarks

You may save posts for later viewing. Saved posts may become unavailable if the original content is deleted by the author or removed by the Platform. The Platform is not a storage service and has no obligation to maintain access to saved content.

10.4 Organic vs. Paid Content

Organic feed placement cannot be purchased. Paid advertising placements are separate from the organic feed and are governed by Section 18 (Advertising). Sponsored or promoted content will be labelled as such.

10.5 Search

Search results are ranked by relevance algorithms. The Platform does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of search results. Profile visibility in search respects your privacy settings.

11. Messaging

11.1 Direct Messaging

The Platform provides direct messaging, job-related conversations, and post-related discussion threads. You are solely responsible for the content of your messages.

11.2 No Encryption Guarantee

IMPORTANT: Messages on CounselConnect are NOT end-to-end encrypted. Messages are stored on Platform servers and may be accessed by Platform administrators for safety, compliance, and enforcement purposes as disclosed in our Privacy Policy. Do not share confidential client information, privileged communications, or sensitive case details via Platform messaging without appropriate independent safeguards.

11.3 Message Retention & Deletion

Messages are retained in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Message deletions are subject to audit logging. The Platform does not guarantee message delivery and is not liable for messages that fail to be delivered or are delayed.

11.4 Prohibited Messaging Conduct

You must not use messaging to:

• Harass, threaten, intimidate, or abuse other Members;
• Send unsolicited commercial messages or spam;
• Solicit illegal activity;
• Share malicious links or malware;
• Impersonate another person or entity.

12. Connections & Networking

12.1 Connections & Following

The Platform enables Members to follow other Members, send connection requests, and build professional networks. Connections and follows are voluntary. You may block or unfollow any Member at any time.

12.2 Skill Endorsements

Members may endorse other Members' skills. Endorsements are peer opinions and do not constitute Platform verification or professional certification. The Platform does not verify the validity of endorsements.

12.3 Contact Management & Vouching

Members may manage contacts and provide vouches/ratings for other Members. Vouches and contact ratings are peer opinions. They do not constitute Platform endorsement, professional certification, or character reference.

12.4 Profile Views & Analytics

Depending on your subscription tier, you may see who has viewed your profile and engagement analytics. Analytics data is approximate and the Platform does not guarantee its accuracy.

12.5 Suggested Connections

The Platform may suggest connections based on algorithmic analysis. Suggestions do not constitute Platform endorsement or vetting of suggested Members.

13. Groups & Channels

13.1 Groups

Members may create and join groups (open, closed, or secret). Group owners and administrators set group rules and are responsible for group moderation. CounselConnect is not responsible for content posted in groups. Group moderator actions are group-level decisions, not Platform endorsements.

13.2 Channels

The Platform offers channels (official, community, and topic-based). Channel moderators manage content and membership. Channel bans are at moderator discretion, subject to Platform policies. CounselConnect reserves the right to dissolve groups or channels that violate this Agreement.

13.3 Confidentiality Warning

Do not share confidential client information in groups or channels, including "secret" or "closed" groups. The Platform cannot guarantee the confidentiality of group discussions. Members in groups may screenshot, copy, or share content.

14. LSK Verification & Badges

14.1 Verification Process

The Platform verifies advocate credentials by checking LSK registration numbers against the Law Society of Kenya registry via a third-party API. A "Verified" badge indicates that the Member's LSK number was valid at the time of verification.

14.2 Limitations of Verification

IMPORTANT: A "Verified" badge does NOT guarantee that an advocate's practising certificate is currently valid, that they are in good standing with the LSK, that they have not been suspended or struck off, or that they are competent in any particular area of law. Users must independently verify the current status and credentials of any advocate before engaging their services. CounselConnect is not responsible for any reliance on verification badges.

14.3 KYC Status

Members have a Know Your Customer (KYC) status (Unverified, Active, Inactive, Suspended). KYC status reflects the Platform's internal verification processes and may affect access to certain features. KYC status does not constitute a professional certification or character reference.

15. Content & Intellectual Property

15.1 Your Content

As between you and CounselConnect, you own your original Content that you submit, post, upload, or otherwise provide to the Services. This applies to all eleven (11) post types: text, article, question, gig, condolence, fundraiser, poll, event, milestone, marketplace listing, and mentorship post.

15.2 Licence to CounselConnect

By submitting Content to the Platform, you grant CounselConnect a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, and sublicensable licence to use, copy, modify, distribute, publicly display, publicly perform, host, store, and process your Content in connection with the operation, promotion, and improvement of the Services. This licence continues until you delete your Content or close your account, except:

• Where your Content has been shared with or copied by other Members;
• Where we have sublicensed your Content to third parties prior to deletion;
• Where we are required by law to retain it;
• For the reasonable time needed to remove Content from backup and archival systems.

15.3 Content Removal

CounselConnect reserves the right to remove or restrict access to any Content that, in our sole judgment, violates this Agreement, our Community Guidelines, or applicable law, or that we believe is reasonably necessary to prevent harm to the Platform, Members, or third parties. We may do so without prior notice.

15.4 Your Warranties

You represent and warrant that:

• You have the right to submit your Content and grant the licences described herein;
• Your Content does not infringe the intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other rights of any third party;
• Your Content does not violate any applicable law;
• Your Content is accurate and not misleading;
• Your profile information is truthful.

15.5 Platform Intellectual Property

CounselConnect and its licensors retain all rights, title, and interest in the Platform, including all intellectual property rights in the Services, software, design, branding, trademarks, logos, and proprietary content. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, lease, or create derivative works of any Platform intellectual property without our express written consent.

15.6 Feedback

If you provide suggestions, feedback, or ideas regarding the Services, you agree that CounselConnect may use and share such feedback for any purpose without compensation or attribution to you.

15.7 Copyright Complaints

If you believe that Content on the Platform infringes your copyright or other intellectual property rights, please contact us at the address provided in Section 33 with: (a) identification of the copyrighted work; (b) identification of the infringing material with its URL; (c) your contact information; (d) a statement of good faith belief that the use is not authorised; and (e) a statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and you are authorised to act on behalf of the rights holder.

16. Payments & Billing

16.1 Payment Processing

All payments on the Platform are processed through Paystack, a third-party payment processor. The Platform accepts M-Pesa and Visa/Mastercard. All prices and transactions are denominated in Kenya Shillings (KES) unless otherwise stated. By making a payment, you also agree to Paystack's terms of service.

16.2 Platform Fees

CounselConnect charges Platform Fees for certain Services, including but not limited to: mentorship bookings (20% platform fee), advertising (CPM/CPC rates), subscription plans, and other paid features. Platform Fees are disclosed at the time of transaction and are non-refundable unless expressly stated in our Billing & Refund Policy.

16.3 Taxes

You are solely responsible for determining and paying all taxes (including VAT, income tax, and withholding taxes) applicable to your transactions on the Platform. CounselConnect may withhold amounts as required by Kenyan law. CounselConnect does not provide tax advice.

16.4 Refunds

Refund eligibility varies by feature and is detailed in our Billing & Refund Policy. In general, Platform Fees are non-refundable.

16.5 Payment Security

CounselConnect does not store credit card numbers or M-Pesa PINs. Payment credentials are tokenised and handled by Paystack in compliance with PCI-DSS standards. You are responsible for the security of your payment methods and must report unauthorised transactions immediately.

17. Subscriptions

17.1 Subscription Plans

The Platform offers three subscription tiers: Free, Pro, and Enterprise. Each tier provides access to different features as described on our pricing page. Feature availability is subject to change.

17.2 Auto-Renewal

Paid subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle (monthly or annual) unless you cancel before the renewal date. Your payment method will be charged at the start of each renewal period. You authorise us to store and charge your payment method for recurring payments.

17.3 Price Changes

We may modify subscription prices upon at least thirty (30) days' prior notice. Modified prices apply prospectively from the start of your next billing cycle after the notice period.

17.4 Cancellation

You may cancel your subscription at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you retain access to paid features until then. No pro-rata refunds are provided for unused portions of the current billing period, except within seven (7) days of a charge as detailed in our Billing Policy.

17.5 Downgrades & Upgrades

Upgrades take effect immediately with pro-rata charges. Downgrades take effect at the start of your next billing cycle.

17.6 Free Trials

Free trials, where offered, convert to paid subscriptions at the end of the trial period unless cancelled. Trial eligibility is limited to one trial per Member.

17.7 Promo Codes

Promotional codes are subject to specific terms, are typically single-use, cannot be combined with other offers, may be expired by the Platform at any time, and have no cash value.

18. Advertising

18.1 Ad Campaigns

Members and entities may create advertising campaigns on the Platform. Campaigns may be placed in the feed, sidebar, deal flow, jobs, and events sections, using CPM (cost per thousand impressions) or CPC (cost per click) pricing models.

18.2 Advertiser Obligations

Advertisers are solely responsible for:

• The accuracy, truthfulness, and legality of all ad content;
• Compliance with the LSK rules on advertising and touting;
• Compliance with all applicable advertising laws and regulations in Kenya;
• Ensuring ad content does not infringe third-party intellectual property rights;
• All claims, liabilities, and damages arising from their advertisements.

18.3 Platform Rights

CounselConnect reserves the right to reject, remove, or suspend any advertisement at its sole discretion, without liability, for any reason including but not limited to: policy violations, misleading content, low quality, competitor conflicts, or legal concerns. The Platform provides no guarantee of impressions, clicks, conversions, or advertising performance.

18.4 Ad Wallet

Advertisers fund campaigns through a prepaid ad wallet. Wallet funds are used to pay for ad delivery. Unused wallet balances may be refunded upon account closure, minus applicable processing fees. Wallet funds are non-transferable.

18.5 Click Fraud

The Platform implements fraud detection measures. Click fraud (including automated clicking, incentivised clicking, and self-clicking) is prohibited. The Platform reserves the right to void fraudulent activity and suspend advertiser accounts engaged in or benefiting from click fraud.

19. Affiliate Programme

19.1 Enrolment

Members may apply to join the CounselConnect Affiliate Programme. Acceptance is at our sole discretion. Affiliates are independent contractors, not employees, agents, or representatives of CounselConnect.

19.2 Commissions

Affiliates earn commissions on qualifying referrals as described in the Affiliate Programme terms. Commission rates, tiers (Standard, Silver, Gold, Platinum), triggers, and structures are subject to change with notice. Commissions are subject to approval before payout.

19.3 Payouts

Payouts are made via M-Pesa or bank transfer upon reaching the minimum payout threshold. The Platform is not responsible for failed payouts due to incorrect payment details provided by the Affiliate.

19.4 Prohibited Practices

Affiliates must not:

• Engage in spam, unsolicited messaging, or misleading marketing;
• Misrepresent the Platform, its features, or the Affiliate relationship;
• Use the CounselConnect brand in a misleading manner;
• Self-refer or engage in fraudulent referral activity;
• Use cookie stuffing, click fraud, or other deceptive techniques.

19.5 Clawbacks & Termination

Commissions may be clawed back for chargebacks, refunds, or fraudulent activity. CounselConnect may terminate any Affiliate's participation at any time. Upon termination, pending approved commissions above the minimum threshold will be paid out; unapproved commissions are forfeited.

19.6 Tax Obligations

Affiliates are solely responsible for all tax obligations arising from commission income. CounselConnect may require tax identification information and may withhold amounts as required by law.

19.7 Tracking & Cookies

Affiliate referrals are tracked using cookies and link parameters. By clicking an affiliate link, the referred user consents to the placement of a tracking cookie as described in our Privacy Policy.

20. Gazette Monitor

20.1 Nature of the Service

The Gazette Monitor scans published Kenya Gazette content for keywords specified by Members. Results include gazette hits with confidence scoring and notice type classification.

20.2 Disclaimers

CounselConnect:

• Does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or currency of gazette data;
• Does not guarantee that all relevant gazette notices will be detected;
• Is not responsible for false positives, missed notices, or incorrect confidence scores;
• Provides this feature for informational and educational purposes only;
• Does not replace direct consultation of the official Kenya Gazette;
• Is not liable for any loss, damage, or missed opportunity arising from reliance on Gazette Monitor results.

Users must independently verify all gazette information against official sources before taking any professional or legal action.

21. Fee Calculator

21.1 Nature of the Service

The Fee Calculator provides indicative legal fee estimates based on the Advocates (Remuneration) Order (L.N. 64/1962 and subsequent amendments) for nine categories: conveyancing, mortgage, lease, high court, subordinate court, company, probate, trademark, and general legal services.

21.2 Disclaimers

IMPORTANT: Fee Calculator results are indicative guidance only and do NOT constitute legal advice, a fee quotation, or a binding fee estimate. Results do not replace professional judgment. Actual fees may vary based on case complexity, court discretion, agreement between parties, and other factors. CounselConnect is not liable for any disputes, losses, or damages arising from reliance on Fee Calculator results.

22. AI Chat Service

22.1 Nature of the Service

The AI Chat Service at chat.counselconnect.co.ke provides AI-generated responses to legal queries based on Kenyan case law and statutes. Responses are generated by artificial intelligence and are NOT legal advice.

22.2 Disclaimers & Limitations

• CounselConnect does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of AI-generated responses;
• Users must independently verify all citations, case references, and legal principles before relying on them;
• The AI Chat Service is subject to monthly usage limits based on your subscription tier;
• Do not input confidential client information or privileged communications into the AI Chat.

23. Case Briefs Service

23.1 Nature of the Service

The Case Briefs Service at cases.counselconnect.co.ke provides AI-generated structured summaries of Kenyan court judgments. Case briefs are derivative works based on judgments sourced from Kenya Law (new.kenyalaw.org) and are provided under Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0.

23.2 Disclaimers & Limitations

• AI-generated briefs may not capture all nuances of the original judgment;
• Always consult the original judgment before relying on a brief in court proceedings;
• The Case Briefs Service is subject to monthly usage limits based on your subscription tier.

24. Support & Integrations

24.1 Support Services

CounselConnect provides support through an in-app ticket system. Support is provided on a best-effort basis with no guaranteed response or resolution time unless otherwise specified in your subscription tier. Support data (tickets, attachments, communications) is retained in accordance with our Privacy Policy. The Platform may use anonymised support data to improve the Services.

24.2 File Uploads

Members may upload files (images, documents) to the Platform. You are solely responsible for the content of uploaded files. The Platform may scan uploads for malware. Storage limits may apply based on your subscription tier. Files may be deleted upon account termination in accordance with our data retention policy.

24.3 Notifications & External Communications

The Platform sends notifications via email, SMS, WhatsApp, and in-app channels. By providing your contact information, you consent to receiving communications through these channels. You may manage notification preferences in your account settings. Third-party terms (including WhatsApp/Meta terms) apply to communications delivered via third-party platforms. CounselConnect is not liable for missed notifications due to delivery failures, spam filters, or incorrect contact information.

24.4 Link Previews

The Platform generates previews of shared links for informational convenience. CounselConnect is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of linked external resources. Link preview data may be cached on our servers.

24.5 Topics & Interests

Members may follow topics that affect their feed algorithm and content recommendations. Topic data may be used for ad targeting as disclosed in our Privacy Policy.

25. Prohibited Conduct

You agree that you will NOT:

25.1 Professional Misconduct

• Practise law, hold briefs, or appear in court without a valid practising certificate;
• Solicit clients in violation of the Advocates Act or LSK Code of Conduct;
• Share confidential client information or privileged communications without proper authorisation;
• Misrepresent your credentials, experience, qualifications, or LSK status;
• Post fake, fraudulent, or retaliatory reviews or endorsements;
• Undermine ongoing legal proceedings through Platform content.

25.2 Platform Abuse

• Create a false identity, impersonate another person, or create multiple accounts;
• Scrape, crawl, or use automated tools to collect data from the Platform;
• Override security features or bypass access controls;
• Interfere with the operation of the Platform (e.g., DDoS attacks, malware, algorithm manipulation);
• Circumvent Platform Fees by taking transactions off-platform to avoid charges;
• Manipulate ratings, reviews, endorsements, poll results, or engagement metrics;
• Use the Platform for money laundering, terrorism financing, or other financial crimes;
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Platform software;
• Rent, lease, sell, or sublicence access to your account or the Services.

25.3 Harmful Content & Conduct

• Post content that is unlawful, defamatory, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, obscene, or hateful;
• Post content promoting violence, hate speech, racism, xenophobia, or ethnic conflicts;
• Post sexually explicit material;
• Post false or misleading information;
• Send spam, unsolicited commercial communications, or chain messages;
• Distribute viruses, worms, trojans, or other malicious code;
• Harvest other Members' personal information (email, phone, etc.) without consent;
• Misuse the reporting or appeals process (e.g., submitting duplicative or fraudulent reports).

See our Community Guidelines for detailed content and conduct standards.

26. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, COUNSELCONNECT AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, LICENSORS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (A) IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT; (B) ANY WARRANTY THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS; (C) ANY WARRANTY REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, RELIABILITY, TIMELINESS, OR CURRENCY OF ANY CONTENT, INFORMATION, OR RESULTS OBTAINED THROUGH THE SERVICES; AND (D) ANY WARRANTY REGARDING THE QUALITY, COMPETENCE, OR RELIABILITY OF ANY MEMBER, SERVICE, OR TRANSACTION FACILITATED THROUGH THE PLATFORM.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE THE SERVICES, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED FROM COUNSELCONNECT OR THROUGH THE SERVICES SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT. YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING THE ACCURACY AND FITNESS OF ANY CONTENT, OUTPUT, OR INFORMATION BEFORE RELYING ON IT FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL OR LEGAL PURPOSES.

27. Limitation of Liability

27.1 Exclusion of Damages

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, COUNSELCONNECT AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LOST PROFITS, LOST REVENUE, LOST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF GOODWILL, REPUTATIONAL DAMAGE (INCLUDING OFFENSIVE OR DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS BY OTHER MEMBERS), PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LIABILITY, MISSED COURT DATES OR FILING DEADLINES, ADVERSE COURT RULINGS, OR ANY OTHER LOSSES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY AND EVEN IF COUNSELCONNECT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

27.2 Liability Cap

THE TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF COUNSELCONNECT TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SERVICES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) THE TOTAL FEES ACTUALLY PAID BY YOU TO COUNSELCONNECT DURING THE SIX (6) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM; OR (B) TEN THOUSAND KENYA SHILLINGS (KES 10,000).

27.3 Exceptions

The limitations in this Section 27 do not apply to liability for: (a) death or personal injury caused by negligence; (b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; (c) gross negligence or intentional misconduct; or (d) any liability that cannot be excluded or limited under the laws of Kenya.

25.4 Basis of the Bargain

The limitations of liability in this Section 27 are a fundamental element of the bargain between you and CounselConnect and shall apply to all claims of liability, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, statute, or any other legal theory.

28. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CounselConnect, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and service providers from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your use of the Services;
• Your Content;
• Your violation of this Agreement or any applicable law;
• Your violation of any third-party rights (including intellectual property and privacy rights);
• Any transaction, engagement, or interaction you have with another Member, including but not limited to: Briefs, mentorship sessions, events, marketplace transactions, fundraisers, and condolence contributions;
• Any professional services you provide or receive through the Platform;
• Any misrepresentation by you;
• Any tax liability arising from your activities on the Platform.

CounselConnect reserves the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defence and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you, and you agree to cooperate with our defence of such claims.

29. Dispute Resolution

29.1 Governing Law

This Agreement and all disputes arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Kenya.

29.2 Mandatory Mediation

Before initiating any formal dispute resolution proceedings, you agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting us at the address provided in Section 33. If the dispute is not resolved within thirty (30) days, either party may proceed to arbitration as described below.

29.3 Arbitration

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, or the breach, termination, or invalidity thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA) Arbitration Rules. The seat of arbitration shall be Nairobi, Kenya. The language of the arbitral proceedings shall be English. The arbitral award shall be final and binding.

29.4 Costs

Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses in connection with any mediation or arbitration, unless the arbitrator determines that a claim was frivolous or brought in bad faith, in which case the arbitrator may award reasonable costs and attorneys' fees to the prevailing party.

29.5 Small Claims Exception

Notwithstanding the above, either party may bring an individual action in the small claims court of competent jurisdiction in Kenya for disputes within the jurisdictional limits of such court.

29.6 Class Action Waiver

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted on an individual basis only, and not as a class action, collective action, or representative proceeding.

30. Termination

30.1 By You

You may terminate this Agreement at any time by closing your account through the Platform settings or by contacting us. Upon termination, you lose the right to access or use the Services.

30.2 By CounselConnect

CounselConnect may terminate or suspend your account and this Agreement at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. We will endeavour to provide notice where reasonably practicable.

30.3 Effects of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to access and use the Services ceases immediately;
• Any outstanding amounts owed by you become immediately due and payable;
• Your Content will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and data retention schedule;
• Affiliate balances above the minimum threshold will be paid out; balances below the threshold are forfeited;
• Unused ad wallet funds will be refunded minus processing fees.

30.4 Survival

The following provisions survive termination: Section 15 (Content & IP, subject to 15.2), Section 26 (Disclaimer of Warranties), Section 27 (Limitation of Liability), Section 28 (Indemnification), Section 29 (Dispute Resolution), Section 30.3 (Effects of Termination), and any other provisions that by their nature are intended to survive.

31. Modifications

We may modify this Agreement from time to time. For material changes, we will provide at least thirty (30) days' notice through the Platform, email, or other reasonable means before the changes take effect. Non-material changes (such as correcting typographical errors or clarifying existing provisions) may take effect immediately.

Your continued use of the Services after the effective date of any modification constitutes your acceptance of the modified Agreement. If you do not agree with any modification, your sole remedy is to close your account and discontinue use of the Services before the modification takes effect.

Changes to this Agreement cannot be applied retroactively.

32. General Terms

32.1 Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with the Privacy Policy, Billing & Refund Policy, Safety & Disclaimer Policy, and Community Guidelines, constitutes the entire agreement between you and CounselConnect regarding the Services and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, and communications.

32.2 Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, void, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The court should modify the unenforceable provision to make it enforceable while preserving its intent, or sever it if modification is not possible.

32.3 Waiver

The failure of CounselConnect to enforce any right or provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

32.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer this Agreement or your account without our prior written consent. CounselConnect may assign this Agreement to its affiliates or to a successor entity in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, without your consent.

32.5 No Third-Party Beneficiaries

This Agreement does not create any third-party beneficiary rights.

32.6 Force Majeure

CounselConnect shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under this Agreement due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, pandemics, government actions, power failures, internet disruptions, or telecommunications failures.

32.7 Notices

All legal notices to CounselConnect must be sent to the addresses provided in Section 33. Notices to you will be sent to the email address associated with your account or through the Platform.

33. Contact Information

For questions about this Agreement, contact us at:

For legal notices or service of process, please email legal@counselconnect.co.ke with "Legal Notice" in the subject line.