Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding contract between you ("User", "you") and L'Avocat, a platform operated by GoSiteMe ("we", "us", "our"), accessible at https://lavocat.ca. By creating an account, joining the class action, using legal research services, communicating with a lawyer on the platform, or using any feature of the Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, DO NOT USE THE SERVICES.

1. Definitions

• "Platform" — The lavocat.ca website and all its tools, APIs, features, and related services.
• "Services" — All features offered: class action, lawyer directory, messaging, document management, legal research, People's Journal, SOS Life packages, testimonies, and any other services added subsequently.
• "Member" — A person registered in the class action registry.
• "Lawyer" — A legal professional registered on the platform with a verified Bar number.
• "Commander" — The platform's principal administrator, identified by client_id 33.
• "User Content" — Any text, document, image, testimony, message, or other material that you create, upload, or transmit through the Services.
• "Alfred" — The AI assistant integrated into the platform.
• "People's Journal" — The platform's public gazette where official acts are published after a 24-hour review period.
• "Class Action" — Case 500-06-001298-245 (Perez v. Attorney General of Quebec).

2. Account Registration

2.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account. By registering, you represent that: (a) the information provided is accurate and complete; (b) you have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms; (c) you are not prohibited from using the Services.

2.2 Account Security

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately at security@lavocat.ca of any unauthorized access.

2.3 One Account Per Person

Each individual may maintain only one account. Multiple accounts created to circumvent limits or disciplinary actions will be deleted without notice.

2.4 Lawyer Accounts

Lawyers must provide a valid Bar number and accept the additional professional obligations described in Section 9. Bar verification may be conducted at any time.

3. Class Action Participation

• Joining the class action through the platform is free of charge.
• By joining, you agree to provide truthful information about your situation.
• Testimonies submitted become part of the court record and cannot be unilaterally withdrawn during the litigation.
• Evidence and documents uploaded are retained securely and may be used in judicial proceedings.
• You consent to relevant data being shared with lead counsel pursuant to the collective mandate.

4. Free and Paid Services

4.1 Free Services

The following features are free:

• Class action membership and case tracking.
• Testimony and evidence submission.
• Browsing the lawyer directory.
• Access to the People's Journal.
• Legal research (limited to 100 searches/day).
• Accessing the FAQ, timeline, public evidence, and complaint pages.

4.2 Paid Services

The following features require a subscription or purchase:

• Lawyer Plans: Subscriptions for lawyers to be listed and receive referrals through the platform.
• SOS Life Continue Packages: Emergency assistance for members in critical situations.
• Unlimited Legal Research: Via a paid plan.

4.3 Payments

• All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD), plus applicable taxes.
• Payments are processed by Stripe. We never store your credit card information.
• Subscriptions are billed in advance, monthly or annually.
• If payment fails, we will retry up to 3 times over 7 days. After that, the service may be suspended.

4.4 Refunds

• Lawyer subscriptions: full refund within 14 days of initial purchase.
• SOS Life packages: non-refundable once services have been rendered.
• No refunds for accounts terminated for Terms of Service violations.

5. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Submit false testimonies, fabricated evidence, or misleading information.
• Impersonate a lawyer or class member.
• Harass, threaten, or intimidate other users, lawyers, or staff.
• Access other users' data without authorization.
• Use the platform for illegal activities other than defending your rights.
• Attempt to compromise platform security (SQL injection, XSS, brute force, etc.).
• Use bots or automated scripts for mass access to the Services.
• Reproduce, resell, or redistribute platform content without authorization.
• Interfere with platform operation or services provided to other users.
• Post hateful, discriminatory, defamatory, or obscene content.

6. User Content

6.1 Ownership

You retain ownership of your User Content. By uploading it to the platform, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

• Store, display, and transmit the content in connection with the Services.
• Share relevant content with lead counsel and assigned lawyers.
• Present content to the court in the context of the class action, if necessary.

6.2 Moderation

We reserve the right to remove, suspend, or flag any content that violates these Terms, constitutes fraud, or is inappropriate. Testimonies undergo a review period before publication.

6.3 People's Journal

Articles published to the People's Journal undergo a 24-hour public review period. After this period, approved articles become permanent official acts and can no longer be modified or deleted. By publishing to the Journal, you accept the permanent and public nature of your publication.

7. Legal Research

• Legal research is provided through the CanLII/Lexum API for informational purposes only.
• Results do not constitute legal advice.
• We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of search results.
• Daily limit of 100 searches for free accounts. Paid plans receive unlimited searches.

8. Artificial Intelligence (Alfred)

• Alfred may make errors. Always verify information with a qualified legal professional.
• Do not use Alfred's responses as the sole basis for legal decisions.
• Alfred is provided "as is" with no guarantee of accuracy.

9. Lawyer Obligations

By registering as a lawyer on the platform, you accept the following obligations:

• Maintain a valid and active Bar membership throughout your registration.
• Comply with the Quebec Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers and all applicable professional obligations.
• Immediately notify the platform of any suspension, disbarment, or limitation of your license to practice.
• Maintain solicitor-client privilege for all client communications.
• Not solicit clients in violation of the Code of Professional Conduct.
• Respond to mandate requests within a reasonable time (72 hours).
• Maintain professional liability insurance.

10. Intellectual Property

• The platform, its design, code, features, the name "L'Avocat", the logo, and all original content are the property of GoSiteMe.
• Public legal data (statutes, case law) comes from CanLII and is in the public domain.
• Class action content (court documents, evidence submitted by members) belongs to the respective parties.
• You do not acquire any intellectual property rights in the platform through your use of the Services.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

• The platform is a technology tool, not a law firm.
• We do not guarantee the outcome of the class action or any legal proceeding.
• We do not guarantee the availability, competence, or performance of listed lawyers.
• Legal research results are provided for informational purposes only.
• The AI assistant Alfred may produce inaccurate or incomplete responses.

12. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

• L'Avocat and GoSiteMe are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Services.
• Our total liability to you shall not exceed the amount you have paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim.
• We are not responsible for the acts, omissions, or conduct of lawyers listed on the platform.
• We are not responsible for data loss resulting from circumstances beyond our control (force majeure, cyberattack, hardware failure).

These limitations do not apply where Quebec or Canadian law prohibits limiting liability (including cases of gross or intentional fault).

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless L'Avocat, GoSiteMe, their officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from: (a) your breach of these Terms; (b) your User Content; (c) your illegal use of the Services; (d) the submission of false testimonies or fabricated evidence.

14. Termination

14.1 By You

You may delete your account at any time through your settings or by contacting support@lavocat.ca. Account deletion does not remove data protected by judicial retention (see our Privacy Policy).

14.2 By Us

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately and without notice for:

• Breach of these Terms.
• Submission of false testimonies or fabricated evidence.
• Attempting to compromise platform security.
• Harassment of other users.
• Non-payment after grace periods.
• Court order.

14.3 Effect of Termination

Termination ends your access to the Services. Provisions that by their nature survive termination (intellectual property, limitation of liability, indemnification, judicial retention) remain in effect.

15. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of Quebec, Canada and applicable federal Canadian law. Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in the judicial district of Montreal, Quebec.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable by a competent court, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that best reflects the original intent.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the use of the Services. They supersede all prior agreements.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. Significant changes will be announced by email or platform notification at least 30 days before taking effect. Your continued use of the Services after the effective date constitutes acceptance. If you do not accept the new terms, you must stop using the Services and delete your account.

19. Sovereign Declaration

20. Contact

For any questions about these Terms:

• Email: legal@lavocat.ca
• Support: support@lavocat.ca
• Address: Quebec, Canada