Lexis Nexis unfair contract terms

Lexis Nexis unfair contract terms

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After many years as a satisfied user of the Tolley's Sole Tax Practitioner Online service, I found I was no longer able to justify the cost, and cancelled the subscription upon receipt of the renewal invoice.  Imagine my surprise when almost a year later I received a solicitors letter claiming the year's subscription with interest, on the grounds that I had not given the requisite 90 days' notice.

And where was reference to this 90 days' notice period to be found?  Not on the renewal invoice (which was in any case sent out 30 days before renewal thus ensuring that cancellation would not be prompted by the invoice). Nor was it mentioned by my account manager, with whom I had several conversations.  It was buried, in tiny font, at the end of the terms and conditions under the heading "Miscellaneous".

I find this unfair and intend, if necessary, to challenge it in a Court of Law.  Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Replies (10)

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By Tonykelly
25th Nov 2011 15:04

I wouldn't worry about it

There won't be any need to go to any court of law.

Basically, tell them you don't owe any money, as you have cancelled the services in advance and didn't use it for the period they are now invoicing you for.

If they pursue this case, they will lose.

 

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By Andolan
02nd Feb 2012 11:02

Do worry....

We experienced similar problems and I would be worried.  They even served documents on an address that was not mine and obtained a default judgement. I am now unpicking the mess and threatened with personal bankruptcy, I signed as a director.  Be very careful and if you want to contact me I will work out how. Three years after they agree they had accepted notice they are still sending invoices for a service we cannot and do not want to access.  They say this is a mistake but not the one year. They even tried to use data from another company to increase our bill for a service we didn't have.  They will pursue you and you need to be ahead of them.  

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By DMGbus
25th Nov 2011 20:25

Increasingly common...

...there seems to a virus running through software-related suppliers known as "hidden terms con-merchantry made legal by mug customers unknowingly agreeing to small print".   I don't know which software company started it, but the virus is spreading it seems.

It's is most obnoxious, but I think you will find that several software suppliers are at it too.

As for the legality of it all, let's see if any one reading this post has taken it to court and won (or lost).

"Unfair contract terms..." comes to mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Euan's picture
By Euan MacLennan
26th Nov 2011 10:40

It didn't start with software companies

It started with utility providers - particularly electricity.

We renewed our electricity contract a month ago and we returned the signed contract with a letter giving written notice of cancellation at the end of the year.

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By The Minion
28th Nov 2011 10:14

I'm with Euan on this one

We've had software contracts (sage) and also HR contracts with 3 month (sage) and six month (HR) notice periods.

The HR one automatically renewed for the same period again - fortunately we had only signed up for 12 months, we could have signed up for 3 or even five years!

Immediate cancellation does avoid the irritating missed notice period.

We have considered the legal route but have better things to do so we now have a diary of all notice periods, so we have time to review/cancel.

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By thisistibi
28th Nov 2011 10:53

Lexisnexis

I've had this exact experience with Lexisnexis.  They do have some great products, but the 3 month notice period seems an unreasonable contract term.  In my case they did accept a cancellation within the notice period, but only because we take other products from them.

I'm not sure whether you really do have a case against Lexisnexis if you agreed a contract with a 3 month notice clause.  In my case I couldn't actually find any contract because we subscribed so long ago.

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By daveforbes
28th Nov 2011 15:26

@dmgbus - I thought the unfair contract terms act was all about business to consumer contracts, and really does not have much oomph for business to business. Kicking up a stink in the public domain generally works well !

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By Andolan
02nd Feb 2012 11:03

Which law firm are you dealing with?

Maybe can join together to deal with this.?

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By stan.turner
26th Jan 2013 00:09

LEXIS NEXIS 90 Day notice
I have similar situation having telephoned on receipt of the invoice was told I need to give 90 days notice and it was confirmed this was hidden away on terms and conditions which they can change whenever required I am now into two days of a seven day notice.
Do I pay up or fight as I have told them on a number of occasions that I am reviewing the need to renew and that I have not utilised the service in the current period. Or will they be prepared to court regardless of the cost. I have no other contracts with them.Suggestions please

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Nichola Ross Martin
By Nichola Ross Martin
10th May 2019 20:25

We have just fallen foul of their extraordinary terms. It seems hard to believe that a company of the size of Lexis Nexis is still trying this on after all this time. Page 51 of this government handout has an example of an unfair contract term. My advice would to defend any claim via the court if needed and use another supplier. I would recommend www.rossmartin.co.uk I am of course biased in my recommendation and this is the service I use every day: ). We found that we were not using Lexis stuff at all. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

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