TERMS OF SERVICE

Last updated November 1, 2025

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Mizan platform ("Platform" or "Services"), available at https://www.mizan.it.

By accessing or using our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our Services. Contact us at legal@mizan.it with questions.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. Platform Description and Services
  2. User Eligibility and Accounts
  3. User Responsibilities and Conduct
  4. Fees, Payments, and Refunds
  5. Intellectual Property Rights
  6. Prohibited Activities
  7. Copyright Infringement Claims
  8. Limitation of Liability
  9. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law
  10. Updates to These Terms
  11. Beta Service Disclaimer (Custom)
  12. Legal Services Disclaimer (Custom)
  13. AI-Powered Analysis Disclaimer (Custom)
  14. Lawyer-Client Relationship (Custom)
  15. Escrow Payment System (Custom)
  16. Termination and Suspension
  17. Privacy and Data Protection
  18. Contact Information

1. PLATFORM DESCRIPTION AND SERVICES


Mizan is a legal technology platform that connects individuals and businesses with qualified lawyers in Italy.

Our Services Include:
  • AI-Powered Case Analysis: Preliminary assessment using Anthropic Claude AI
  • Lawyer Matching: Connection with verified, licensed lawyers
  • Case Management: Secure messaging, documents, milestone tracking
  • Escrow Payments: Secure payment processing with milestone-based releases
  • GDPR Compliance: Encrypted storage and secure communications

⚠️ Important: Mizan is a technology platform. We are NOT a law firm and do NOT provide legal advice. Legal services are provided by independent lawyers.


2. USER ELIGIBILITY AND ACCOUNTS


2.1 Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.

2.2 Account Registration: Provide accurate information including:

  • Valid email address and secure password
  • Personal/business information
  • For lawyers: Bar association license proof

2.3 Account Security: You are responsible for:

  • Maintaining credential confidentiality
  • All activities under your account
  • Reporting unauthorized access immediately

3. USER RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT


3.1 Client Responsibilities:

  • Provide truthful case information
  • Respond promptly to lawyer requests
  • Pay agreed fees on schedule
  • Maintain respectful communication

3.2 Lawyer Responsibilities:

  • Maintain valid bar license
  • Provide competent legal services
  • Comply with professional ethics
  • Maintain attorney-client confidentiality
  • Update clients on progress regularly

4. FEES, PAYMENTS, AND REFUNDS


💶 Mizan Pricing Model

Platform Commission: 20% on successful case outcomes only. No upfront platform fees.

Lawyer Fees: Separate from platform commission. Agreed in quote, typically independent of outcome.

4.1 Payment Methods:

  • Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
  • PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay
  • Bank Transfer (SEPA)

4.2 Currency: All payments in Euros (EUR).

4.3 Processing: Via Stripe (1.5% + €0.25 fee may apply).

4.4 Refund Policy:

a) Before Services (14-Day EU Right):

  • Full refund within 14 days (minus processing fees)
  • Email support@mizan.it to cancel
  • Refund processed in 5-7 business days

b) After Services Start:

  • Refund only for services not yet provided
  • Escrow: Refundable for uncompleted milestones
  • Completed milestones are non-refundable

c) Platform Failures:

  • Technical errors: Full refund
  • Unauthorized charges: Immediate refund + investigation

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


All Platform content (design, code, AI algorithms, databases, logos) is owned by Mizan and protected by Italian, EU, and international intellectual property laws.

5.1 License: We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Platform for personal or internal business purposes.

5.2 Restrictions: You may NOT:

  • Copy, modify, or distribute Platform content
  • Reverse engineer or access source code
  • Remove copyright or proprietary notices
  • Use content for commercial purposes without permission

6. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES


You may NOT:

  • Advertise or sell goods/services unrelated to legal matters
  • Sell or transfer your profile to another person
  • Impersonate lawyers or legal professionals without credentials
  • Provide legal advice without license
  • Upload malicious content (viruses, malware, illegal materials)
  • Misuse AI analysis system or attempt reverse engineering
  • Circumvent escrow system or arrange direct payments
  • Share confidential case information without authorization
  • Create multiple accounts for fraud or manipulation
  • Scrape or data mine the Platform using automated tools

Violation may result in account suspension, termination, and legal action.


7. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS


To report copyright infringement, send notice to: legal@mizan.it

Include:

  • Description of copyrighted work
  • Location of infringing material (URL)
  • Your contact information
  • Good faith statement
  • Statement of accuracy and authorization
  • Physical or electronic signature

Response time: 48-72 hours. Counter-notice process available.


8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY


⚖️ Liability Cap

Our total liability is limited to the LESSER of:
a) Amount paid by you in the 12 months prior to the claim, OR
b) €1,000

8.1 Excluded Damages: We are NOT liable for:

  • Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
  • Loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities
  • Loss of data or goodwill
  • Quality of legal services by lawyers
  • Case outcomes or lawyer errors
  • Third-party service failures

8.2 Exceptions: Limitations do NOT apply to:

  • Death or personal injury from our negligence
  • Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
  • Gross negligence or willful misconduct
  • Liabilities that cannot be excluded by Italian/EU law

9. DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND GOVERNING LAW


9.1 Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of Italy.

9.2 Jurisdiction:

  • For Consumers (B2C): Courts of your residence or Milan, Italy (your choice)
  • For Business Users (B2B): Exclusive jurisdiction: Courts of Milan, Italy

9.3 EU Online Dispute Resolution:

EU consumers can use the ODR platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr

9.4 Informal Resolution: Before litigation, contact us at legal@mizan.it for resolution attempts.


10. UPDATES TO THESE TERMS


10.1 Notification Methods: We will notify you via:

  • Email to your registered address (30 days advance for material changes)
  • In-platform banner or modal upon login
  • Website notice on homepage

10.2 Material vs Non-Material Changes:

  • Material: Affecting rights/obligations, pricing, liability (30-day notice, explicit acceptance required)
  • Non-Material: Clarifications, corrections, admin updates (7-14 day notice, continued use = acceptance)

10.3 Your Options: Accept updates and continue, or reject and cease using Services.


11. BETA SERVICE DISCLAIMER


⚠️ BETA STATUS: Mizan is currently operating as a BETA service. By using our platform, you acknowledge:

11.1 Service Availability:

  • Platform may experience downtime or technical issues
  • Features may change, be added, or removed without notice
  • Service availability and uptime not guaranteed during beta
  • Temporary suspension for maintenance may occur

11.2 Data and Security:

  • Industry-standard security implemented, but beta may have undiscovered vulnerabilities
  • Regular backups maintained, but data loss (though unlikely) is possible
  • Exercise caution with highly sensitive documents
  • All data protected per our Privacy Policy

11.3 Feature Evolution:

  • Beta features may change based on testing feedback
  • UI/UX may be modified
  • Some features may not reach production
  • Data migration may be necessary for major updates

11.4 User Responsibilities:

  • Acknowledge experimental nature
  • Maintain backup copies of important documents
  • Verify information independently
  • Accept increased risk inherent in beta software

11.5 Transition to Production:

  • 30-day notice before production launch
  • Updated Terms for review and acceptance
  • Accounts and data will be migrated
  • Option to accept new terms or discontinue

11.6 Beta Support: Contact beta@mizan.it or support@mizan.it (48-72 hour response).


12. LEGAL SERVICES DISCLAIMER


🏛️ PLATFORM ROLE: Mizan is a technology platform facilitating connections. We are NOT a law firm and do NOT:

  • Provide legal services, advice, or representation
  • Create attorney-client relationships with users
  • Guarantee legal service quality or outcomes
  • Supervise or control lawyers' professional judgment

12.1 No Attorney-Client Relationship with Mizan:

Attorney-client relationship exists ONLY between you and the lawyer you engage. Mizan is not party to this relationship.

12.2 Lawyer Independence:

  • All lawyers are independent professionals
  • Lawyers solely responsible for their legal work
  • Lawyers maintain professional liability insurance
  • We verify credentials but don't guarantee competence

12.3 User Due Diligence: You must:

  • Verify lawyer credentials with bar association
  • Make informed decisions about lawyer selection
  • Review and understand all legal advice received
  • Comply with agreements made with your lawyer

12.4 No Outcome Guarantee:

Legal outcomes depend on many factors. We make no representations about case results. Past results don't guarantee future outcomes.

12.5 Professional Complaints:

  • Platform violations: Report to legal@mizan.it
  • Professional ethics: Report to bar association
  • We cooperate with regulatory authorities

12.6 Emergency Situations:

Our platform is NOT for emergencies. For urgent matters, contact a lawyer directly or emergency services.


13. AI-POWERED ANALYSIS DISCLAIMER


🤖 AI TECHNOLOGY: Our platform uses Anthropic Claude AI for preliminary case analysis. This is NOT legal advice.

13.1 AI Limitations:

  • Not Legal Advice: AI cannot replace human legal expertise
  • Accuracy: May contain errors, inaccuracies, or omissions
  • Currency: Trained on historical data; may not reflect current law
  • Context: Cannot account for all nuances of your situation
  • Judgment: Lacks human legal judgment and experience

13.2 No Liability for AI Output:

  • We're not responsible for decisions based on AI analysis
  • AI provided "as is" without warranties
  • Use at your own risk
  • Always verify with qualified lawyer

13.3 Data Processing:

  • Case information anonymized before AI processing
  • Encryption and security measures applied
  • AI provider (Anthropic) doesn't retain your data
  • See Privacy Policy for details

13.4 Human Verification Required:

For ANY legal decision: Consult licensed lawyer, have lawyer review AI analysis, rely on professional judgment (not AI alone).

13.5 Prohibited Uses: You may NOT:

  • Rely solely on AI for legal decisions
  • Share AI analysis as legal advice
  • Use in court without lawyer review
  • Claim AI represents our legal opinion

14. LAWYER-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP


14.1 Relationship Formation:

  • Forms ONLY between you and chosen lawyer (not Mizan)
  • Formed when you both agree (usually by accepting quote)
  • All professional responsibilities with lawyer, not Mizan

14.2 Professional Obligations: Your lawyer has duties including:

  • Confidentiality (attorney-client privilege)
  • Loyalty and avoiding conflicts of interest
  • Competence and diligence
  • Bar association rules compliance
  • Professional liability insurance

14.3 Fee Arrangements:

  • Lawyer fees separate from platform fees
  • Agreed directly between you and lawyer
  • Lawyers set own rates
  • All fees disclosed clearly before services
  • Escrow facilitates payment but doesn't set fees

14.4 Scope of Representation:

  • You and lawyer define service scope
  • Should be documented in writing
  • Mizan not involved in defining scope
  • Changes require mutual agreement

14.5 Confidentiality:

  • Communications with lawyer are confidential
  • Attorney-client privilege applies
  • Platform provides secure messaging but doesn't monitor content
  • Don't share confidential info with Mizan staff

14.6 Professional Conduct Concerns:

  • Platform violations → legal@mizan.it
  • Professional ethics → Bar association
  • Seek independent advice if needed

14.7 Termination of Representation:

  • Either party may terminate (subject to professional rules)
  • Reasonable notice when possible
  • Return of documents and property
  • Payment due for services rendered
  • Escrow handled per Section 15

14.8 Mizan's Limited Role:

We ONLY provide: Platform technology, initial matching, payment processing, security/privacy, platform support.

We DO NOT: Supervise lawyers, guarantee competence/outcomes, provide legal advice, access privileged communications, participate in legal strategy.


15. ESCROW PAYMENT SYSTEM


💰 ESCROW OVERVIEW: Secure payment system with milestone-based fund releases.

15.1 How It Works:

  1. Quote & Agreement: Lawyer provides quote with milestones (each has % of total fee). Client accepts.
  2. Payment & Hold: Client pays upfront via Stripe. Funds held in secure escrow.
  3. Milestone Completion: Lawyer completes work, marks complete. Client notified (7 days to review).
  4. Fund Release: On approval, funds released to lawyer. Auto-release after 7 days if no objection (unless disputed).

15.2 Beta Phase - DEMO Escrow:

⚠️ IMPORTANT: During beta, escrow is in DEMO mode. Real Stripe payments processed, funds held securely, but full banking integration in development. All transactions logged and auditable.

15.3 Fees:

  • Platform Commission: 20% on successful outcomes (separate from lawyer fees)
  • Processing Fees: Stripe ~1.5% + €0.25 (deducted from payment)
  • No Hidden Fees: All fees disclosed before payment

15.4 Refunds & Cancellations:

  • Before Work: Full refund (minus processing) within 14 days
  • After Start: Refund only unreleased escrow. Completed milestones non-refundable.
  • Disputes: Email support@mizan.it. Funds held pending investigation (14 days resolution goal).

15.5 Security:

  • Funds in segregated accounts
  • Not used for Mizan operations
  • Protected if Mizan insolvency
  • Regular audits

15.6 User Obligations:

  • Clients: Pay when due, review milestones promptly, raise concerns in good faith, don't abuse disputes
  • Lawyers: Complete work as agreed, meet quality standards, respond to concerns, provide documentation

15.7 Limitations:

Escrow facilitates payment only. Doesn't guarantee work quality, legal outcomes, or judge legal merit. Subject to liability limitations (Section 8).

15.8 Tax Responsibilities:

  • Lawyers: Report income and pay taxes
  • Clients: May need records for deductions
  • Transaction records available on request
  • Consult tax professional

16. TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION


16.1 We May Suspend/Terminate Your Account If:

  • You violate these Terms
  • You provide false information
  • You use Platform for illegal purposes
  • You fail to pay fees owed
  • You engage in fraud or abuse
  • We're required by law

16.2 You May Terminate: Contact support@mizan.it. Account closed within 30 days. Data deletion per Privacy Policy (30-day retention).

16.3 Effects of Termination:

  • Access to Platform terminated
  • Outstanding payments remain due
  • Ongoing cases handled per agreements with lawyers
  • Escrow funds handled appropriately
  • Provisions surviving termination: Liability, disputes, intellectual property, confidentiality

17. PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION


Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into these Terms.

Key Points:

  • GDPR Compliant: Full compliance with EU data protection
  • Your Rights: Access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection
  • Data Security: Industry-standard encryption
  • Retention: 30 days after account deletion

For GDPR rights: Visit account settings or contact privacy@mizan.it


18. CONTACT INFORMATION


For questions about these Terms:

Company Information:

Mizan S.r.l.

Via Quarto 7

Nerviano, MI 20014

Italy


📄 Legal Document: These Terms of Service were generated on November 1, 2025, based on comprehensive legal research and EU/Italian law compliance requirements. They include 5 custom clauses specific to Mizan's legal tech platform operations.

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