Online Consultation Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction and Definitions

1.1 These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern the provision of online legal consultation services (“Services”) by ME Consult (“ME Consult”, “we”, “us”, or “our”).

1.2 In these Terms, unless the context otherwise requires:

• “Client” or “you” means any person who accesses or uses the Services;
• “Consultation” means any scheduled legal consultation conducted via the Platform;
• “Platform” means any website, application, or third-party system through which the Services are delivered;
• “Services” means the online legal consultation services provided by ME Consult.

1.3 By booking or participating in a Consultation, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

2. Nature and Scope of Services

2.1 The booking of, or participation in, any consultation shall not, of itself, give rise to a continuing solicitor-client relationship between the Client and ME Consult.

2.2 A formal and ongoing solicitor-client relationship shall arise only where expressly agreed in writing by ME Consult following the consultation, and subject to the execution of a separate engagement letter or retainer agreement.

3. Capacity and Eligibility

3.1 By accessing or using our Service, the Client represents and warrants that they are at least eighteen (18) years of age and possess the requisite legal capacity to enter into a binding contract.

3.2 ME Consult reserves the right to refuse or terminate access to the Services where it reasonably believes that a person does not meet these requirements.

4. Booking, Fees, and Payments

4.1 All consultations must be pre-booked through our official website or designated communication channels.

4.2 Consultation fees are exclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT), which will be applied at the prevailing rate (currently 7.5%) at checkout, in compliance with Nigerian tax law.

4.3 Booking is confirmed only upon full payment of the consultation fee. ME Consult reserves the right to refuse service where payment has not been confirmed or has been reversed.

4.4 Consultation Fee Structure

This fee structure aligns with the lawyer category and band as prescribed under Scale 1 of the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order, 2023.

4.5 Selection of a Lawyer

Clients may select from available counsel based on experience and availability during the booking process. Preferences indicated will be accommodated subject to availability.

5. Client Responsibilities

5.1 Clients are expected to, and shall:

• ensure all information provided during the relevant session is accurate, authentic, up-to-date and lawfully obtained;
• attend sessions promptly. Sessions will begin and end at the scheduled times, regardless of the client’s arrival time;
• use a secure device and network for virtual consultations;
• treat all ME Consult’s personnel respectfully;
• comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

5.2 ME Consult shall not be responsible for any consequences arising from the Client’s failure to comply with this clause.

Note: Clients who are more than 10 (ten) minutes late may forfeit their session without refund or reschedule rights. For further details, see the section on Cancellations and Refund Policy.

6. Confidentiality and Disclosure

6.1 ME Consult undertakes not to disclose any information shared during the consultation without the Client’s prior written consent, except where disclosure is required by law, the courts, governmental agencies, and/or regulatory authorities. Clients are advised to refrain from sharing sensitive information via unsecured networks. ME Consult will not be held liable for data breaches caused by the client’s use of insecure communication channels.

6.2 It is our policy to take your initial instructions to us in any matter as your authority for us to disclose that you are a client of the firm, and that we have acted for you on any matter where information about that matter is in the public domain. Where a matter is not in the public domain, we will only disclose that you are a client of the firm if you consent to such disclosure. By retaining and using our Services, you acknowledge and agree that you have given your consent to ME Consult’s disclosure that you are a client of the firm, for matters in the public domain.

7. Data Protection and Privacy

ME Consult complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019. By using our Services, you consent to the collection, processing, storage, and transfer of your data strictly for the purpose of the delivery of the Services.

Your rights include:

• Accessing, correcting, or requesting the deletion of your data.
• Objecting to processing in specific cases.
• Lodging complaints with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

All data is securely stored, and not shared with third parties without lawful basis or your explicit consent.

8. Technology and Platform Disclaimer

8.1 ME Consult shall not be liable for any delay, interruption, or failure in the provision of the Services arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• internet connectivity issues;
• hardware or software failures;
• outages or disruptions of third-party platforms or service providers; or
• any other technological limitations or failures.

8.2 The Client acknowledges that the service is delivered over the internet and may be subject to inherent limitations and risks associated with digital communications.

9. Intellectual Property and Use of Consultation Materials

9.1 Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, all content provided by ME Consult in connection with the Services, including but not limited to documents, reports, templates, training materials, presentation slides, written or oral advice, legal opinions, and any related or supporting materials (collectively, the “Consultation Materials”), shall remain the sole and exclusive intellectual property of ME Consult.

9.2 ME Consult grants the Client a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to use the Consultation Materials strictly and solely for the client’s personal or organisational legal use. This licence does not permit the client to copy, reproduce, adapt, modify, publish, distribute, sub-license, sell, exploit commercially, or create derivative works based on the Consultation Materials, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of ME Consult.

9.3 Any unauthorised use, disclosure, or distribution of the Consultation Materials, whether for commercial gain or otherwise, is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.

10. Indemnity

10.1 The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ME Consult, its partners, employees, agents, and representatives from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees) arising out of or in connection with:

• any breach by the Client of these Terms;
• any misuse or improper use of the Services by the Client; or
• any information or materials provided by the Client that are inaccurate, misleading, or unlawful.

10.2 This indemnity shall survive the termination or expiry of these Terms.

11. Limitation of Liability

11.1 Nothing in these Terms shall exclude or limit ME Consult’s liability for:

• (a) death or personal injury resulting from its negligence;
• (b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
• (c) any liability which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable Nigerian law or the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners.

11.2 Subject to Clause 11.1, ME Consult shall not be liable to the Client, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, for any:

• (a) indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential loss or damage;
• (b) loss of profits, revenue, business, contracts, data, anticipated savings, or opportunity;
• (c) loss of goodwill or damage to reputation; or
• (d) any losses arising from third-party claims.

11.3 Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 11.2, ME Consult shall have no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with:

• (a) reliance on any advice, opinion, or information provided during a consultation where no formal solicitor-client relationship has been established;
• (b) the limited, preliminary, or time-constrained nature of the Services;
• (c) any act or omission taken by the Client based on such consultation;
• (d) any inaccuracies, omissions, or misrepresentations in the information supplied by the Client; or
• (e) any failure by the Client to obtain further legal advice or clarification.

11.4 To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and notwithstanding any other provision of these Terms, ME Consult’s total aggregate liability to the Client for all claims arising out of or in connection with the Services shall be strictly limited to the lesser of:

• (a) the fees actually paid by the Client for the specific consultation giving rise to the claim; or
• (b) the sum of ₦100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira).

11.5 Where no fee has been paid by the Client for the relevant consultation (including promotional or complimentary consultations), ME Consult shall have no liability whatsoever to the Client.

11.6 The Client agrees that ME Consult shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from:

• (a) any delay, interruption, or failure in the provision of the Services caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including those described in the Force Majeure clause;
• (b) any failure or disruption of internet services, electronic communications, or third-party platforms; or
• (c) any unauthorised access to or alteration of transmissions or data not attributable to ME Consult’s wilful default.

11.7 Any claim arising out of or in connection with the Services must be notified to ME Consult in writing within thirty (30) days of the Client becoming aware (or reasonably ought to have become aware) of the circumstances giving rise to the claim, and in any event commenced within six (6) months of such date, failing which such claim shall be deemed irrevocably waived, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

11.8 The Client acknowledges and agrees that:

• (a) the Services are provided on a strictly limited and preliminary basis;
• (b) the fees charged reflect the allocation of risk under these Terms; and
• (c) the Client has had the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice before accepting these Terms.

12. Conflict of Interest

12.1 ME Consult is bound by the professional obligations imposed under the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners in Nigeria, including the duty to avoid conflicts of interest.

12.2 Prior to accepting any engagement beyond an initial consultation, ME Consult shall conduct a conflict-of-interest check based on the information provided by the Client.

12.3 The Client acknowledges and agrees that:

• (a) ME Consult may be unable to act where a conflict of interest exists or may arise;
• (b) the provision of incomplete or inaccurate information by the Client may affect the outcome of such conflict checks; and
• (c) ME Consult reserves the right to decline or cease acting for the Client where required to do so in compliance with professional obligations.

12.4 Where a conflict of interest is identified, ME Consult shall not be obliged to disclose confidential information relating to any existing or former client.

13. Scope of Advice and No Guarantee of Outcome

13.1 Any advice provided during the consultation is based solely on the information made available by the Client at the time and is intended for general guidance purposes only.

13.2 The Client acknowledges that:

• (a) legal advice provided during a preliminary consultation may be limited in scope and may not constitute a full review of all relevant facts or documents;
• (b) further investigation or formal engagement may be required before definitive legal advice can be given; and
• (c) legal outcomes are inherently uncertain and dependent on various factors beyond ME Consult’s control.

13.3 ME Consult makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee as to the outcome of any matter discussed during the consultation.

14. No Reliance / Limited Legal Advice Disclaimer

14.1 The Client agrees that any information or guidance provided through the Services, in the absence of a formal solicitor-client relationship, shall not be relied upon as a substitute for comprehensive legal advice obtained under a formal retainer.

14.2 To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, ME Consult disclaims liability for any loss arising from reliance on advice provided during a preliminary consultation where no formal engagement has been established.

14.3 Nothing in this clause shall operate to exclude liability for fraud, wilful misconduct, or any liability which cannot be excluded under Nigerian law or the Rules of Professional Conduct.

15. Termination of Agreement

15.1 ME Consult may terminate this agreement with immediate effect if:

• You breach any of these Terms.
• You are involved in fraud, corruption, or illegal activity.
• You engage in abuse, harassment, or misconduct towards our personnel.
• You violate any confidentiality, privacy, or Intellectual Property-related obligations.

15.2 Clients may terminate this agreement by providing written notice prior to the consultation session. No refunds shall apply to sessions already held or late cancellations. See the section on Cancellations and Refund Policy for further details.

15.3 Upon termination, ME Consult shall have no further obligations to the client, and any claims or expectations for future services shall be deemed null and void, unless expressly agreed in writing prior to termination.

15.4 Following termination, the client may request a new consultation session by making a new booking through our official website or designated communication channels, subject to acceptance and availability at ME Consult’s sole discretion. For further details, please see the section on Booking and Fees.

16. Data Retention and Post-Termination Processing

16.1 Upon termination or expiry of this agreement, ME Consult shall retain the Client’s personal data only for such period as is necessary to comply with its legal, regulatory, and professional obligations, including (without limitation) applicable record-keeping requirements under Nigerian law.

16.2 Subject to such obligations, ME Consult shall securely delete or anonymise the Client’s personal data within six (6) years from the date of termination of the Services, in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019.

16.3 The Client may, at any time prior to such deletion, exercise their data protection rights as set out in section 9 (Data Protection and Privacy) of these Terms.

16.4 Following termination, ME Consult shall not process the Client’s personal data for any purpose other than those expressly permitted under these Terms or required by applicable law.

17. Force Majeure

17.1 ME Consult shall not be in breach of these Terms, nor liable for any delay or failure in the performance of its obligations, where such delay or failure results from events beyond its reasonable control. Such events shall include, but not be limited to:

• acts of God, flood, drought, earthquake, or other natural disasters;
• epidemic or pandemic;
• war, civil unrest, terrorism, or riots;
• strikes, lockouts, or other industrial disputes;
• interruption or failure of electricity, telecommunications, or internet services; or
• acts or omissions of third-party service providers.

In such circumstances, ME Consult shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of time to perform its obligations.

17.2 Where the period of delay or non-performance continues for more than thirty (30) days, ME Consult may suspend or terminate the affected Services upon written notice to the Client.

18. Anti-Bribery, Corruption and Money Laundering

18.1 You agree and undertake that neither you, nor your agents, officers, principals, employees, contractors and/or consultants, shall offer, promise, give, request, or accept any bribe nor engage in any activity that contravenes Nigerian laws related to bribery, corruption, or money laundering in connection with the Services. ME Consult maintains strict compliance with:

• Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act
• Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act
• Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022

18.2 Clients must not use the consultation platform for any purpose that violates anti-money laundering laws.

18.3 Suspicious activity will be reported to the relevant authorities, and ME Consult reserves the right to suspend or terminate any consultation, and/or the provision of the Services based on such suspicion.

19. Cancellations and Refund Policy

19.1 Cancellations made less than 12 (twelve) hours before the scheduled session are non-refundable, subject to ME Consult’s discretion.

19.2 Cancellations made more than 12 hours but less than 24 hours before the scheduled session will be entitled to up to 50% (fifty percent) refund, less all applicable charges.

19.3 Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the scheduled session are eligible for a refund (less all applicable charges), or a one-time reschedule without charge.

19.4 If ME Consult cancels a session, a full refund or rescheduling option will be offered. All refund requests must be submitted in writing within 7 (seven) days of the scheduled session.

20. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without regard to any conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from, or in connection with, these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Nigeria.

21. Complaints and Professional Regulation

Any complaints regarding the Services or professional conduct may be directed to ME Consult’s official communication channels or the relevant regulatory body in Nigeria.

22. Amendments

Any variation to these Terms must be agreed in writing and signed by ME Consult.

23. Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between ME Consult and the client regarding the use of the Services. Any variation must be agreed in writing and signed by ME Consult.

24. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

25. Contact Information

Mail: contactus@me-consult.org | Phone: +(234) 702-6839-242