Terms of Service | Lumotalk

Effective Date: 08-12-2025

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") form a legally binding agreement between:

Lumotalk Ltd, incorporated in England and Wales with company number 16883472 and registered office at 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ ("Lumotalk", "we", "us", "our"), and

Any person accessing or using the Lumotalk platform, whether as a User or an Expert ("you", "your").

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Definitions

Platform – The Lumotalk website, mobile applications, and related services.
User – Any individual booking or receiving services through the Platform.
Expert – Any individual providing services through the Platform, including financial guidance or coaching, career guidance, or other expert services. Experts are independent contractors and must not provide regulated financial advice on Lumotalk.
Session – Any consultation, meeting, or interaction arranged via the Platform.
Content – All materials, information, or communications transmitted via the Platform, including text, video, documents, profiles, reviews, and feedback.
Service Fee – The commission retained by Lumotalk from each payment made for a Session.
Financial Guidance – Helps you explore possible financial actions but does not tell you what you should do or recommend specific products tailored to your personal circumstances. You remain responsible for any decisions you make based on the information discussed.
Financial Advice – Involves a personal recommendation based on an authorised adviser assessing your individual situation and needs. Financial advice is regulated and can only be given by advisers authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Since Lumotalk is not FCA authorised, no regulated financial advice will be provided on the platform.
Tax Advice – Professional tax advice, explanations, interpretations, and opinions provided by an Expert based on the information shared by the User. Tax Advice may include recommendations on appropriate tax treatment or actions. Tax Advice does not include preparing, submitting, amending, or signing tax returns, making filings, handling payments to HMRC, or representing the User before HMRC or any other tax authority, unless Lumotalk expressly enables this under a separate agreement and policy.
Tax Services – Tax related services provided by an Expert, which may include Tax Advice and, where expressly enabled by Lumotalk under a separate agreement and policy, tax return preparation, submission, or representation services.
Professional Bodies – Recognised professional bodies relevant to an Expert's services (for example ACCA, ICAEW, CIOT, AAT, CIMA), where applicable.
Representation – Any communication or interaction with HMRC or another tax authority on a User's behalf, including responding to enquiries, negotiating liabilities, or handling disputes.

2. Eligibility

2.1 You must be at least 18 years old.
2.2 You must have capacity to enter into legally binding agreements.
2.3 You must provide accurate and complete registration information.
2.4 You must not be prohibited by law from using the Platform.
2.5 You may only use the Platform in jurisdictions where such use is legal.

3. Platform Role & Limitations

Lumotalk operates as a neutral marketplace connecting Users and Experts. Sessions may include financial guidance or tax advice provided by independent Experts, but are not a substitute for regulated financial advice, tax-agent services, or legal representation unless expressly enabled by Lumotalk under a separate agreement and policy.
Experts on Lumotalk provide financial guidance, tax advice, education, and coaching services. Lumotalk does not permit regulated financial advice on the Platform. Lumotalk does not provide legal advice. Any Tax Advice is provided solely by the Expert in their own professional capacity, and Lumotalk does not provide, endorse, or assume responsibility for such advice.
Experts are independent contractors. Nothing in these Terms creates employment, agency, partnership, or a fiduciary relationship between Lumotalk and any Expert, or between Lumotalk and any User.
Lumotalk does not store, pool, or invest user funds. Lumotalk only facilitates payments between Users and Experts and deducts a platform service fee.
Lumotalk is not responsible for the guidance, actions, omissions, or representations of Experts. Users remain responsible for any decisions, actions, filings, or outcomes arising from a Session.
Lumotalk may make reasonable efforts to vet Experts and verify certain information, but does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, legality, suitability, or outcomes of any guidance or services provided by an Expert.
Experts may provide Tax Advice via the Platform but must not provide Tax Services involving preparation, submission, amendment or signing of tax returns, or Representation, unless Lumotalk has expressly enabled such Tax Services under a separate agreement and policy.

4. User Obligations

Users must provide accurate registration and profile information.
Users must review Expert profiles and exercise independent judgment before booking.
Users must comply with all applicable laws when using the Platform.
Users must treat Experts with respect and must not engage in abusive, fraudulent, or unlawful conduct.
Users must not attempt to circumvent the Platform's payment or commission system.
Users must not use the Platform to interfere with its security or functionality.
Users are responsible for providing complete and accurate information to Experts. Experts may rely on information provided by Users when providing Sessions or guidance.

5. Expert Obligations

Experts must provide accurate qualifications, credentials, memberships, Professional Body status (where applicable), and any licences or authorisations relevant to the services they offer on the Platform.
Experts must only provide services that they are legally permitted to provide.
Experts providing Tax Advice must not prepare, submit, amend, or sign tax returns, and must not provide Representation, through or via the Platform, unless Lumotalk expressly enables such Tax Services under a separate agreement and policy.
Experts must clearly state if they are acting in a personal capacity and must not present themselves as acting on behalf of HMRC or any tax authority.
Experts must not provide regulated financial advice on the platform.
Experts must act professionally, maintain confidentiality, and avoid misrepresentation.
Experts are solely responsible for the guidance and information they provide.
Experts must maintain all applicable taxes and compliance obligations.
Experts must cooperate with any investigations or audits conducted by Lumotalk or regulators.

6. Booking, Payments & Fees

All Sessions must be booked and paid through the Platform.
Payments are processed by a third-party provider (e.g., Stripe), authorised and regulated by the FCA; Lumotalk does not store card details.
Lumotalk deducts its Service Fee and remits the balance to the Expert.
Session prices include Lumotalk's Service Fee.
Unless explicitly stated in the Session description, a Session is limited to the scheduled call time and does not include ongoing work, document drafting, formal written advice, filings, or Representation.
Lumotalk is not responsible for transactions outside the Platform.

7. Refunds & Cancellations

Governed by our Refund and Cancellation Policy (link), incorporated herein by reference.
Users must submit cancellation requests via the Platform; Experts may cancel only for valid reasons.
Refunds for technical failures or Expert no-shows are handled per the Refund Policy.
Lumotalk may refuse refunds in cases of misuse, abuse, chargeback fraud, or repeated cancellations.
Experts may decline, stop, or request rescheduling where the matter is unusually complex, requires in person verification, requires filings or Representation not enabled on the Platform, or falls outside the Expert's scope. Refund outcomes will be handled in line with the Refund and Cancellation Policy.

8. Chargebacks & Dispute Handling

Users may dispute charges with their bank or card issuer (chargeback).
Lumotalk may withhold Expert payments during chargeback investigations.
Users agree not to circumvent the Platform to avoid payment.
Experts acknowledge that chargeback reversals may result in deductions from future payments.
Disputes should be resolved directly between User and Expert before escalation.

9. Prohibited Activities

Fraud, harassment, or abusive conduct toward Users or Experts.
Providing or soliciting unlawful advice.
Uploading defamatory, harmful, or illegal content.
Attempting to bypass Lumotalk’s payment system.
Using the Platform for criminal purposes, including money laundering.
Interfering with Platform security or software functionality.

10. Investigations & Audit Rights

Lumotalk may investigate suspected breaches of these Terms.
Lumotalk may request documentation, evidence, or access to accounts.
Payments may be withheld pending investigation.
Misconduct may be reported to regulators, law enforcement, or professional bodies.
Users and Experts must cooperate with investigations.
Lumotalk may suspend or remove Experts who provide misleading, inappropriate, or non-compliant guidance.

11. Suspension, Termination & Account Closure

Lumotalk may suspend, restrict, or terminate accounts for breaches, fraud, misconduct, regulatory risk, or by legal requirement.
Lumotalk may also suspend or terminate an account where it reasonably suspects that an Expert has provided regulated financial advice or prohibited Tax Services or Representation via the Platform or has otherwise breached applicable financial‑services or tax‑services laws or regulations.
Access to Sessions may be cancelled upon suspension or termination.
Outstanding payments may be withheld pending investigation.
Experts forfeit payment for non-compliant or cancelled Sessions.
Termination does not affect accrued rights, indemnities, or obligations.
Lumotalk is under no obligation to reinstate accounts.
Users may voluntarily close their accounts at any time.

12. Intellectual Property

Lumotalk owns all rights to the Platform, branding, and software.
Experts retain rights to their content but grant Lumotalk a licence to display profiles and promote services.
Users and Experts grant Lumotalk a licence to use reviews, feedback, and anonymised data for marketing, research, and operations.
Users may only retrieve, display, and view Content for personal, non-commercial use.

13. Content Policy

Users and Experts are responsible for all content they submit.
Content must not infringe third-party rights or be unlawful.
Lumotalk may remove or moderate content at its discretion.
Users and Experts grant Lumotalk a licence to use submitted content for operational purposes.
Users and Experts are liable for any legal claims arising from their content.

14. Data Protection & Privacy

Lumotalk complies with UK GDPR and relevant data protection laws.
Our lawful bases for processing personal data include contract performance, legitimate interests, legal obligations, and, where appropriate, consent.
User data may be shared with payment processors, service partners, and regulators as necessary.
Users have rights to access, correct, or delete personal data.
Personal data may be transferred internationally as described in our Privacy Policy, using appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses or other legally recognised mechanisms.
For more details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

15. Security Obligations

Users and Experts must keep login credentials secure.
Notify Lumotalk immediately of any unauthorised access.
Sharing accounts is prohibited.
Users and Experts must not interfere with Platform security.
Lumotalk may suspend accounts for security breaches.

16. Availability & Disclaimers

Platform services are provided "as-is" and "as available".
Lumotalk makes no guarantees as to fitness for purpose, accuracy, or compatibility.
Lumotalk is not obligated to update content.
Users are responsible for their own devices, security, and personal information.
Lumotalk accepts no liability for disruption, non-availability, viruses, or malware.
Lumotalk does not guarantee the availability, suitability, or outcomes of any Session.
Platform features, products, or services may be altered, suspended, or discontinued without notice.

17. Limitation of Liability

Lumotalk is not liable for indirect, special, or consequential losses.
Total liability is capped at £100 or the Service Fees paid in the prior 12 months, whichever is greater.
Liability for death, personal injury due to negligence, fraud, or statutory consumer rights is not excluded.
Financial guidance and Tax Advice provided by any Expert is solely the responsibility of that Expert, and Lumotalk is not liable for any advice, guidance, statements, or actions of Experts.
Without limiting the above, Lumotalk does not verify tax calculations, tax positions, filing outcomes, or compliance with HMRC requirements, and is not liable for penalties, interest, or other liabilities arising from User actions or filings.

18. Indemnity

Users and Experts agree to indemnify Lumotalk and its directors, officers, employees, and agents against all claims, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable legal and professional fees) arising from:

Breach of these Terms
Misuse of the Platform
Interactions with other Users or Experts
Submission of unlawful or infringing content

19. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

Governed by the laws of England & Wales.
Disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England & Wales.
Lumotalk may mediate disputes between Users and Experts at its discretion.
Arbitration may be used if mutually agreed or required by law.

20. Force Majeure

Lumotalk is not liable for delays, interruptions, or failures caused by events outside reasonable control, including:

Natural disasters
Acts of government or regulators
Strikes or labour disputes
Technical failures, internet outages, or cyberattacks
Other events beyond reasonable commercial control

21. Severability

If any provision is found unenforceable, the remainder of these Terms remains in full force.

Unenforceable provisions will be interpreted to achieve the intended purpose within legal limits.

22. Assignment & Third-Party Rights

Users may not transfer rights under these Terms.
Lumotalk may assign its rights where user rights are not materially affected.
No third party has rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.