TERMS OF USE FOR USERS

1. INTRODUCTION

These Terms of Use (hereinafter the “Terms of Use”) set out the rules and conditions governing your access to and use of the website avocatscriminels.ca (hereinafter the “Platform”) as a user (hereinafter the “User” or the “Justiciable”). The Platform aims to facilitate connecting Justiciables with legal professionals.

By submitting a request (hereinafter the “Request”) through the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. For any questions or technical issues, please feel free to contact us by email.

2. DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise indicated by the context, the following words and expressions have the meanings set out below:

• Terms of Use: This document, including our Privacy Policy, along with any amendments that may be made to it.
• Request: Any request submitted by a Justiciable via the Platform in order to be put in contact with a Partner or Professional.
• Justiciable, User or You: Any person accessing the Platform in order to obtain a referral to one or more legal Professionals.
• We: The avocatscriminels.ca team.
• Platform: The avocatscriminels.ca website, as well as all of its related pages and features.
• Privacy Policy: The document that forms an integral part of these Terms of Use, including any amendments made to it.
• Professional: Any person duly authorized to practice a legal profession (lawyer, notary, or otherwise) who can be referred to a Justiciable.
• Reference, Refer, or Referral: The process of putting a Justiciable in contact with a Professional by exchanging contact information or other pertinent details.

3. ABOUT US AND OUR PLATFORM

We firmly believe that modern technology can optimize access to justice for Justiciables and contribute to the growth of legal Professionals’ practices.

The avocatscriminels.ca Platform facilitates connections between Justiciables and the right Professionals, simplifying their legal search to quickly find the necessary resources.

3.1. NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

We do not provide any legal services. We are not a law firm, and our role is limited exclusively to introducing Justiciables to Professionals. Consequently, we disclaim any liability related to the services (or lack of services) provided by these Professionals, and we offer no guarantee or endorsement regarding their work.

For operational and optimization purposes, the Platform uses cookies. For more information about our use of cookies, please consult our Privacy Policy.

4. UNDERSTANDING, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, AND REPRESENTATIONS

By submitting a Request on the Platform, you confirm your understanding and acceptance that:

1. You are the person you claim to be and are acting in your capacity as a Justiciable.
2. The Professionals referred to you will depend on the information you provide (including in your Request). You are therefore responsible for providing accurate, truthful, and non-misleading information.
3. It is possible that no Professional will be available to take on your Request.
4. You remain responsible for the urgency of your situation (e.g., legal deadlines or prescription periods).
5. Being put in contact via the Platform does not constitute a formal offer of legal services by the Professional and does not create any obligation for them to open a file on your behalf.
6. You are under no obligation to retain the services of the referred Professional.
7. During your first contact with a Professional, you must quickly clarify fees to avoid any misunderstandings.
8. You will treat the referred Professional with respect and courtesy.
9. avocatscriminels.ca does not provide legal services and is not a law firm.
10. Your relationship with any referred Professional is independent of the Platform and concerns solely you and that Professional.

You acknowledge that you are solely responsible for deciding whether to hire a Professional, as well as for any costs and expenses that may arise, and you release avocatscriminels.ca from any responsibility in this regard.

5. LEGAL REFERRAL AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

When you submit a Request, we forward it to Professionals meeting your criteria to the best of our ability. Our obligation to you is one of means, not of result. We simply undertake to:

• Send your Request to Professionals who seem to meet your needs, based on the information you provided and the details Professionals have given us.

However, we cannot be held liable in the following situations:

• No Professional responds to your Request.
• Any delay by a Professional in processing your Request that results in the loss of a right.
• A Professional’s failure to attend a scheduled appointment.
• The absence of a mandate agreement with a Professional despite the referral.
• The services provided by a Professional not meeting your needs or expectations.
• Any mistake or negligence committed by a Professional during the provision of legal services.
• The legal ineligibility or actual lack of qualifications of a Professional to practice their profession.
• Any unfavorable judgment or outcome in your case.

By using the Platform, you agree that none of these situations shall engage the liability of avocatscriminels.ca. We further disclaim any responsibility for direct or indirect damages arising from your Request or the referral process, whether successful or not.

6. RELEASE FROM LIABILITY

You agree to indemnify and hold avocatscriminels.ca harmless from any damages, costs, claims, or lawsuits arising from the services provided by a Professional, including in cases of property damage and/or bodily injury, unless such damage or injury results from our gross negligence or willful misconduct, or that of a person under our supervision.

You also release avocatscriminels.ca from any claim or demand related to a dispute with a third party, notably in connection with the sale or production of a document from which you may have benefited.

7. APPLICABLE LAWS AND CHOICE OF JURISDICTION

These Terms of Use are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws in force in the province of Québec. Any claim or dispute relating to their interpretation, validity, or enforcement is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the judicial district of Québec, and this district shall be deemed to be the place where the cause of action arises.

8. CHANGES

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time. The changes will be posted on the Platform and will take effect sixty (60) days after being posted online. If you continue to use the Platform beyond that period, you will be deemed to have accepted the revised Terms of Use. It is your responsibility to review the Terms of Use regularly to stay informed of any modifications.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

• Each provision of these Terms of Use constitutes a separate clause. If one of them is declared null or unenforceable by a competent court, the others shall remain in full force and effect.
• Our failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms of Use does not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
• The Terms of Use, the Privacy Policy, and any contract entered into between you and us represent the entirety of the agreement regarding your use of the Platform. They supersede any other agreement or communication not expressly included herein.
• You may not assign or otherwise transfer any of your rights or obligations set out in these Terms of Use without our prior written consent.

10. PRIVACY POLICY

Your information is collected and used in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which forms an integral part of these Terms of Use. If you do not wish your personal information to be used in the manner described in our Privacy Policy, please do not use the Platform.

11. TRANSLATION

In the event of any discrepancy in interpretation or meaning between the French version of these Terms of Use and a translated version, the French version shall prevail.

For any additional information, please feel free to contact us.