Terms of use

Terms of Use for Legal Service Providers (Lawyers)

1. General Provisions

The web platform HUGO.legal is administered by OÜ HUGO, registry code 12821618, address Endla tn 15, 10122 Tallinn (hereinafter “HUGO“).

The HUGO.legal platform is an online service that mediates legal services to providers of legal aid (“Lawyer“). The platform allows the Lawyer to manage cases, store files related to the provision of legal services, and process payments for legal aid.

Important: HUGO is a provider of information society services and does not provide legal services itself. HUGO acts solely as an intermediary between the Lawyer and the customer (“Customer” or “Client“). The Lawyer provides legal services to the Customer in conformity with an authorization agreement and acts independently in their economic or professional activities. The Lawyer determines the conditions for providing legal services. HUGO does not dictate the time, place, or specific methods of the legal service provision.

There is no employment relationship between the Customer and HUGO, nor do HUGO and the Lawyer establish a legal partnership. HUGO acts as a limited economic agent for both the Lawyer and the Client:

  • The Lawyer authorizes HUGO to act as an agent to collect fees from the Customer for the provision of legal services.
  • Payment for legal services from the Customer to the Lawyer is made exclusively through the HUGO.legal platform.
  • HUGO submits invoices for legal services to Customers on behalf of the Lawyer.

2. Requirements for the Lawyer

To provide legal services via the platform, the Lawyer must register a HUGO.legal account. If the legal service is provided through a legal entity, a separate account must be registered for each Lawyer.

  • Legal Entities: When providing services through a legal entity, the service must be provided personally by the Lawyer appointed through the platform. Assignment to another lawyer within the entity requires Customer consent.
  • Qualification Requirements: A legal service may be provided by a natural person who has acquired at least a nationally recognized Master’s degree in the field of Law, a corresponding qualification within the meaning of the Republic of Estonia Education Act, or a corresponding foreign qualification. The person must possess the skills and knowledge required to provide legal services.
  • Registration Process: The Lawyer must complete the registration application and submit a copy of the document certifying higher education. If the education was acquired at a foreign university, an evaluation by the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre is required.
  • Vetting: After filing the application, the candidate will be interviewed to assess experience and specialization. HUGO shall conduct a background survey using publicly available databases.

If the candidate is deemed suitable, they will receive a confirmation, and their profile will be disclosed on the HUGO.legal platform. Services may be provided as a natural person, a sole proprietor (FIE), or through a private limited company (OÜ) via an enterprise account.

3. Obligations of the Lawyer

When using the HUGO.legal platform, the Lawyer undertakes to:

  • Disclose honest and thorough information about their previous work experience and skills to enable Customers to receive the best quality service.
  • Disclose true personal and business data.
  • Provide legal services to the Customer in accordance with the terms of the authorization agreement.
  • Keep their HUGO.legal account credentials (username and password) secure and confidential.
  • Refrain from disturbing or damaging the HUGO.legal platform, software, or services provided on it.
  • Refrain from activities that circumvent the platform, such as providing services to HUGO-mediated Clients outside of the platform to avoid commission fees.

Conflict of Interest: The Lawyer may not represent two or more clients in the same matter or provide them with services if their interests conflict. If a conflict arises, the Lawyer must reject the order.

Relationship Status: The Lawyer may not act as an employee, agent, or representative of HUGO or enter into contracts on behalf of HUGO. If, due to applicable laws, the Lawyer is deemed an employee, the Lawyer waives any claims against HUGO arising from such a relationship.

4. Mediation of Legal Service (Formation of Contract)

The HUGO.legal platform selects the legal service provider for the Customer based on the legal area, experience, and hourly rate. The legal service is provided under the terms set forth in the authorization agreement and the platform terms.

  • Acceptance of Orders: A Lawyer who has joined the platform must monitor order notifications and accept orders placed through HUGO.legal. If a Lawyer does not wish to provide services, they must set their status to “Inactive.” If the status is active, the Lawyer is deemed available to receive orders.
  • Standard Terms: The platform mediates standard terms for the authorization agreement. The Lawyer and Customer may not agree on terms that conflict with these standard terms.
  • Conclusion of Agreement: The authorization agreement is concluded in a format reproducible in writing.
    • The Customer’s offer is deemed given the moment the platform offers the Client a Lawyer.
    • The Lawyer’s acceptance is deemed given the moment the order is forwarded to the Lawyer by the platform.
    • No additional actions are required to conclude the agency agreement.
  • Cancellation: If the Lawyer is unable to perform the task, they may cancel the agreement extraordinarily within three (3) calendar days by notifying HUGO. The Lawyer cannot demand a fee for services performed prior to such extraordinary cancellation.
  • Tax Liability: The Lawyer is solely responsible for the withholding and payment of labor taxes or other applicable taxes. The Lawyer must choose a form of enterprise where neither the Client nor HUGO is required to withhold labor taxes. HUGO may suspend accounts if national tax obligations are not met.

5. Provision of Legal Service

The Lawyer provides services in their area of specialization to the extent ordered by the Client.

  • Volume of Work: HUGO does not guarantee a constant stream of orders. Availability depends on specialization, demand, and customer feedback. HUGO reserves the right to limit orders if the Lawyer’s workload exceeds a reasonable limit.
  • Quality of Service: The Lawyer must follow Customer instructions and provide services at the level of professional skill generally expected of a qualified lawyer in the field.
  • Tools and Costs: The Lawyer must ensure the availability of necessary tools (communication equipment, office space, etc.) and cover their own costs.

6. Legal Service Fee

  • Hourly Rate: Services are provided based on an hourly rate determined during the interview based on the Lawyer’s qualifications and the platform’s price categories.
  • Time Tracking: The Lawyer shall record the time spent and a description of services on the platform. The fee is calculated with 15-minute accuracy.
  • Expenses: The Lawyer may ask for prepayment to cover specific costs (e.g., state fees, transport, translation) if the Customer consents. This consent must be confirmed via the platform.
  • Invoicing: HUGO invoices the Customer for services provided in the previous calendar month. VAT is added if applicable to the Lawyer’s service.
  • Payment Terms: The Customer’s payment obligation is fulfilled upon receipt of the fee into HUGO’s bank account. HUGO transfers the net fee to the Lawyer once per calendar month.
  • Disputes: If a Customer submits a claim regarding fees, HUGO will suspend payment to the Lawyer until the dispute is resolved.

7. Platform Fee

The Lawyer pays a commission for the mediation of the legal service according to the HUGO price list. HUGO deducts this platform fee automatically from the payments collected from Customers before transferring the remaining balance to the Lawyer.

8. Assessment of the Lawyer

Customers may rate and review the Lawyer on the platform. These ratings are public.

  • Usage of Ratings: Ratings are used by the platform to mediate orders. The Lawyer may not use these ratings outside the platform to imply endorsement by HUGO.
  • Low Ratings: HUGO may diminish a Lawyer’s visibility or assessment score in cases of:
    • Failure to provide services;
    • Shortcomings in service quality;
    • Late delivery;
    • Violation of these Terms.

9. Settlement of Disputes

Disputes arising from the provision of legal services are primarily between the Customer and the Lawyer. However, HUGO may intervene to mediate disputes regarding fees and offer compromise solutions.

10. Documents and Data Usage

  • Format: The Lawyer must use the HUGO.legal letterhead when formalizing documents via the platform.
  • File Storage: Documents may be stored on the platform. If the Lawyer cancels the agreement or violates terms, HUGO may grant access to these documents to a new Lawyer with the Client’s consent.
  • Machine Learning: The Customer and Lawyer agree that documents stored on the platform may be used to train the HUGO.legal machine-learning program. All personal data processed for machine learning is strictly anonymized.
  • Database Rights: The HUGO.legal platform constitutes a database protected by the Copyright Act. Exclusive rights belong to HUGO. The Lawyer may use the database only to the extent necessary for providing services via the platform and may not copy it.

11. Liability

HUGO.legal shall not be held liable for:

  • The correctness of data submitted by the Customer;
  • The solvency or payment discipline of the Customer;
  • The execution or quality of the legal services provided by the Lawyer;
  • Compliance with the Lawyer’s occupational health and safety requirements;
  • Technical failures or interruptions of the platform.

The platform is provided “as is.” HUGO is liable to the Customer/Lawyer only for damage caused by gross negligence or intentional acts. The maximum liability cap for HUGO is EUR 500. Claims for damages must be submitted within 12 months of becoming aware of the damage.

12. Suspension and Termination

HUGO may suspend the Lawyer’s right to use the platform if:

  • The Lawyer violates these Terms of Use;
  • The service provided fails to comply with generally recognized professional standards;
  • The Lawyer violates the authorization agreement;
  • The Lawyer acts inappropriately towards a Customer or HUGO staff.

13. Final Provisions

HUGO may amend these Terms of Use without the direct consent of the Lawyer. If the Lawyer does not agree to amendments, they must cease using the platform. Continued use constitutes acceptance.

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Estonia. Disputes that cannot be resolved by negotiation shall be settled in the Harju County Court (Tallinn Courthouse).