Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Common Law Services platform (“the Platform”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform. These Terms apply to all users, including visitors, registered users, and subscribers.

2. Service Description

Common Law Services provides document generation tools, template-based document services, Official Information Act (OIA) and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) request management, infringement challenge tools, mail forwarding services, and community resources. The Platform is operated by the Common Law Services Foundation (“CLS” or “we”).

The Platform provides tools and templates only. CLS does not provide legal advice, legal representation, or professional legal services of any kind. Nothing on this Platform constitutes legal advice or should be relied upon as such.

3. No Lawyer-Client Relationship

Using the Platform does not create a lawyer-client, attorney-client, solicitor-client, or any other professional relationship between you and CLS, its trustees, officers, volunteers, agents, or representatives.

All documents, templates, and tools are provided as self-service resources. You are solely responsible for determining whether the documents generated are appropriate for your circumstances and for seeking independent professional advice where necessary.

4. Use at Your Own Risk

You use the Platform and all documents, tools, and services entirely at your own risk. All documents are generated from templates and are provided on an “as-is” basis. You are responsible for:

• Reviewing and verifying the accuracy and completeness of all documents before use
• Ensuring that any document generated is appropriate for your specific circumstances
• Seeking independent professional advice where appropriate, including from qualified lawyers, accountants, or other professionals
• Understanding the lawful implications of any document you generate, sign, or send
• Complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and court rules

5. No Warranty

The Platform, its content, tools, and generated documents are provided without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

CLS does not warrant that:

• The Platform will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
• The results obtained from the use of the Platform will be accurate or reliable
• The quality of any documents, tools, or services will meet your expectations
• Any errors in the Platform will be corrected

6. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, CLS, its trustees, officers, volunteers, agents, employees, and representatives shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data, or other intangible losses, arising from:

• Your use of or inability to use the Platform, documents, tools, or services
• Any documents generated through the Platform, including any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies therein
• Any action or inaction taken by you or any third party based on documents or information obtained through the Platform
• Any unauthorised access to or alteration of your transmissions or data
• Any other matter relating to the Platform or these Terms

This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory under which such liability is asserted, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or otherwise, and even if CLS has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

7. Volunteer Protection

CLS is supported by volunteers who contribute their time and skills in good faith. No volunteer, trustee, or officer of CLS shall be held personally liable for any action taken or omission made in good faith in the course of their volunteer duties for CLS.

Volunteers act in their capacity as representatives of CLS and not in any individual professional capacity. Nothing done by a volunteer in their capacity as a CLS volunteer shall be construed as personal professional advice or the creation of any professional duty of care to any user of the Platform.

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CLS, its trustees, officers, volunteers, agents, employees, and representatives from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from or related to:

• Your use of the Platform, documents, tools, or services
• Any documents you generate, distribute, or rely upon through the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any applicable law, regulation, or third-party right
• Any misrepresentation made by you in connection with documents or services provided through the Platform

9. Document Accuracy and Responsibility

Documents generated through the Platform are created from templates using information you provide. You are solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and lawfulness of all information you provide and all documents you generate.

CLS does not verify, review, or endorse the content of any document you generate. The inclusion of any template on the Platform does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of its use in any particular situation.

10. Foundation Protection

The Common Law Services Foundation is a separate entity from the Platform. Documents generated through the Platform do not constitute endorsement, certification, or verification by the Foundation. The Foundation provides the Platform as a public resource and is not responsible for the actions or outcomes of individual users.

Any reference to the Foundation in documents generated through the Platform is provided as template content only and does not imply Foundation involvement in any individual matter.

11. User Conduct

By using the Platform, you agree not to:

• Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable law
• Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information in any document or form
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your identity
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform or servers connected to the Platform
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform or any user accounts
• Use the Platform to harass, threaten, or intimidate any person

12. Intellectual Property

The Platform and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by CLS and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Template content may be used by registered users to generate personal documents but may not be resold, redistributed, or commercially exploited without written permission.

13. Privacy

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in the Privacy Policy.

14. Termination

CLS reserves the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. Upon termination, your right to use the Platform will immediately cease.

15. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New Zealand.

16. Changes to Terms

CLS reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

17. Severability

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

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and CLS regarding your use of the Platform, and supersede any prior agreements or understandings.

19. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

Common Law Services
Email: support@commonlawservices.co.nz
Platform: commonlawservices.co.nz