1. TERMS OF USE

1.1 Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the ASSURED by LEDGERS platform (“Platform”), you (“Client”) acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and any policies or guidelines incorporated by reference. If you do not agree with these Terms, or if you lack the legal capacity to agree, you must discontinue use of the Platform immediately.

1.2 Platform Purpose and Role of LEDGERS

• Marketplace Intermediary: The Platform is a marketplace that connects Clients with independent Service Partners for the provision of various IT or other professional services.
• No Direct Service Provision: LEDGERS is not the provider of the services but rather acts as an intermediary, facilitating payment, project tracking, and dispute resolution.

1.3 User Accounts

• Account Creation: You must create an account to place orders. All information provided must be accurate and up-to-date.
• Security: You are responsible for safeguarding your login credentials. Any actions taken under your account are considered to be authorized by you.

1.4 Orders and Payment

• Order Placement: By placing an order, you make an offer to purchase services from a Service Partner under the scope and price shown on the Platform.
• Nodal Payments: LEDGERS holds funds in Nodal until services are completed or otherwise resolved. Payment is only released to the Service Partner upon your confirmation (or via the dispute resolution process if disagreements arise).

1.5 Modifications to Terms of Use

LEDGERS reserves the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time. Any significant changes will be communicated through Platform notifications or email. Continued use after modifications constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. TERMS & CONDITIONS

2.1 Scope

These Terms & Conditions apply specifically to Clients who purchase services on the ASSURED by LEDGERS Platform. They supplement any primary marketplace agreement, service-level agreements (SLAs), and any direct agreements you enter into with Service Partners.

2.2 Order Process

• Confirmation: Placing an order and paying into Nodal constitutes your acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
• Service Engagement: The Service Partner is fully responsible for delivering services in accordance with the scope, pricing, and timelines outlined on the Platform.

2.3 Payment and Nodal

• Nodal Mechanism: The funds for each order are held securely until service completion.
• Payment Release: Upon confirmation that the service is complete (or via resolution of any dispute), the Nodaled amount is released to the Service Partner.
• Refund Eligibility: If the service is not delivered or fails to meet agreed specifications, partial or full refunds may be granted according to our Refund and Dispute Resolution policies.

2.4 Service Quality and Obligations

• Client Obligations: You must provide clear and accurate project requirements, respond to service updates, and cooperate with Service Partners’ reasonable requests.
• Service Partner Obligations: The Service Partner must deliver the agreed-upon services on time and at the agreed quality level. LEDGERS is not liable for a Service Partner’s failure to perform but will facilitate dispute resolution.

2.5 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless LEDGERS, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or losses arising out of your misuse of the Platform, violation of these Terms & Conditions, or infringement of any third-party rights.

2.6 Liability Limitations

• Cap on Damages: Where permissible by law, LEDGERS’ liability for any claim is limited to the amount paid for the specific service in question or a full refund, whichever is lower.
• Exclusion of Indirect Damages: LEDGERS is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including loss of profits or reputational harm.

2.7 Non-Solicitation and Circumvention

Clients agree not to circumvent the Platform by directly engaging Service Partners introduced via the Platform for a period of two (2) years following termination or completion of the transaction, unless explicitly permitted by LEDGERS.

2.8 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of India, and any disputes shall be subject to the courts in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India, or resolved through arbitration as described in the Dispute Resolution & Arbitration clause.

2.9 Changes and Termination

LEDGERS reserves the right to update or revise these Terms & Conditions at any time. Material changes will be notified on the Platform or via email. You may terminate your use of the Platform by providing written notice to LEDGERS, subject to settling any ongoing orders or disputes.

3. PRIVACY POLICY

3.1 Introduction

This Privacy Policy outlines how LEDGERS collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information when you use the ASSURED by LEDGERS Platform. By using the Platform, you consent to the practices described here.

3.2 Information We Collect

• Account Information: Includes name, email address, phone number, payment details, and business information.
• Transaction Data: Records of services ordered, amounts paid, Nodal details, and communications with Service Partners.
• Device & Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and Platform usage patterns to improve service delivery and user experience.

3.3 How We Use Your Information

• Service Delivery: To facilitate order placement, Nodal payments, and service tracking.
• Communication: We may use your contact details to provide updates, send invoices, or notify you of changes in policies or services.
• Improvement & Analytics: LEDGERS may aggregate usage data to enhance Platform features, troubleshoot issues, and tailor the user experience.

3.4 Information Sharing

• Service Partners: We share relevant order details with Service Partners so they can deliver the requested service.
• Legal Compliance: We may disclose personal information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user data may be transferred, subject to continued protection under equivalent terms.

3.5 Data Security

We employ commercially reasonable measures, including encryption and secure servers, to protect your personal data. Despite these efforts, no method of electronic storage is entirely foolproof. By using our Platform, you acknowledge the inherent risks in transmitting data online.

3.6 Data Retention

Your information is retained for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy and comply with legal obligations. Afterward, it may be securely deleted or anonymized.

3.7 User Rights

• Access & Correction: You may request details of the personal information we hold, and ask for corrections if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Data Portability & Erasure: You may request a copy of your data or the deletion of your account under certain circumstances, subject to our legal obligations to retain specific information.

3.8 Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of any third-party services you engage with.

3.9 Updates to this Policy

We may periodically update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. Material changes will be communicated via the Platform or email.

4. DISPUTE RESOLUTION & ARBITRATION

4.1 Informal Resolution

Parties agree to make reasonable efforts to settle any disagreement related to orders, payments, or service quality through direct communication or LEDGERS’ dispute resolution process before escalating to arbitration.

4.2 Arbitration

If a dispute cannot be resolved amicably, it shall be referred to binding arbitration, conducted in English in accordance with the laws of India. The seat of arbitration will be Chennai, India. The decision of the arbitrator(s) will be final and binding on all parties, and may be entered and enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

4.3 Governing Law

These provisions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, and all disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement.

5. GRIEVANCE OFFICER AND CONTACT INFORMATION

5.1 Appointment of Grievance Officer

In accordance with applicable regulations, LEDGERS appoints a Grievance Officer who is responsible for addressing any user grievances relating to Platform usage, data privacy concerns, or disputes.

5.2 Reporting Concerns

• User Complaints: If you have any complaints or grievances about the Platform, its operations, or your interactions with Service Partners, you can contact the Grievance Officer via email or phone.
• Response Time: The Grievance Officer will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 3 days and strive to resolve it promptly, subject to the complexity of the issue.

5.3 Escalation

If you are not satisfied with the response from the Grievance Officer, you may escalate your complaint through the Dispute Resolution & Arbitration process outlined above.