Terms of Service

1. Services Provided

Brfcase provides research support services including:

• Literature search and synthesis
• Evidence matrix compilation
• Draft manuscript frameworks
• Statistical analysis support
• Medicolegal evidence reviews
• Clinical evidence synthesis

1.1 Nature of Services

Our services constitute research infrastructure support. We provide literature searches with documented methodology, evidence extraction and organisation, draft frameworks for client refinement, and data analysis support.

1.2 What We Do Not Provide

• Final manuscripts for direct submission without client review
• Medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment recommendations
• Expert witness opinions on liability or breach of duty
• Guaranteed publication or acceptance by any journal
• Services that would constitute academic dishonesty under your institution's policies

2. Client Responsibilities

2.1 Intellectual Contribution

You are responsible for:

• Reviewing and refining all deliverables before submission
• Ensuring work meets your institution's ethical guidelines
• Maintaining intellectual ownership of your research
• Verifying accuracy of all content before use
• Making clinical decisions based on your professional judgment

2.2 Compliance

You are responsible for ensuring your use of our services complies with your institution's academic integrity policies, professional licensing requirements, research ethics guidelines, and applicable laws.

3. Intellectual Property

Upon full payment, you receive a non-exclusive license to use, modify, and submit deliverables for their intended purpose. You may not resell or redistribute deliverables.

Our research methodologies, processes, and tools remain our intellectual property. Documentation of methodology provided with deliverables may be shared with reviewers, ethics committees, or opposing counsel as needed.

4. Payment Terms

• Standard projects: Full payment before work begins
• Packages over $500 / R5,000: 50% deposit, 50% on completion
• Subscriptions: Monthly in advance
• Retainers: Monthly in advance

4.1 Refunds

• Full refund if project not started
• Partial refund prorated to work completed if cancellation during project
• No refund for completed deliverables
• Subscription cancellations: No refund for current period; no future charges

5. Disclaimers

5.1 No Medical Advice

Clinical Intelligence services provide evidence synthesis only. We do not provide medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment recommendations. All clinical decisions must be made by qualified healthcare providers.

5.2 No Legal Advice

Medicolegal services provide research support only. We do not provide legal opinions, expert testimony, or opinions on liability or breach of duty.

5.3 No Guarantee of Publication

We do not guarantee acceptance by any journal, institution, ethics committee, or review board.

6. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• Our liability is limited to the amount paid for the specific service
• We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
• We are not liable for clinical outcomes, legal outcomes, or academic outcomes
• We are not liable for third-party actions (journal decisions, reviewer comments, etc.)

7. Confidentiality

We treat all client information as confidential. We will not disclose project details, research topics, or deliverables to third parties except with your explicit consent, as required by law, or to subcontractors bound by confidentiality agreements.

8. Termination

Either party may terminate a project with written notice:

• We will deliver all work completed to date
• Refunds will be prorated to work completed
• Confidentiality obligations continue

9. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Disputes will be resolved through arbitration in Cape Town, South Africa, unless otherwise agreed.

10. Contact

For questions about these Terms: legal@brfcase.com