1. About these Terms
1.1 These Terms apply to your use of our website. They also apply to any content, features, or functionality we make available through it.
1.2 We may update these Terms from time to time. The current version is always available on our website with the effective date shown at the top. If we make a material change, we'll flag it on the site or notify you where reasonably possible. By continuing to use our website after an update takes effect, you accept the updated Terms.
1.3 These Terms should be read together with:
- our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle personal information; and
- our Cookies Policy, which explains what cookies we use and why.
By using our website, you agree that we may process your information as described in our Privacy Policy and place cookies on your device in line with our Cookies Policy (subject to any cookie preferences you set).
2. About us
2.1 Our website is operated by Plain English Finance Limited (also referred to in these Terms as "Plain English Finance", "we", "our", or "us"). We are a limited company registered in England and Wales.
2.2 Our registered office is: Stag Gates House, 63/64 The Avenue, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1XS.
2.3 Our company registration number is 07503422 and our VAT registration number is GB207040653.
2.4 We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our Firm Reference Number is 564876.
2.5 You can contact us at [email protected] or in writing at the registered office address above.
3. Which websites these Terms cover
3.1 These Terms apply to:
- https://www.plainenglishfinance.co.uk;
- https://plainenglishfinance.com;
- any subdomain of either of the above (for example, go.plainenglishfinance.com); and
- any other website operated by Plain English Finance that links to these Terms.
3.2 We refer to all of the above collectively as our "website" or "our site" throughout these Terms.
4. Using our website
4.1 You may use our website for lawful, personal, non-commercial purposes only.
4.2 You may:
- view, read, and enjoy the content we publish (for example, articles, videos, opinion pieces, and educational material);
- print or download extracts of our content for your own personal reference; and
- share links to our website, provided you do so fairly and lawfully and don't misrepresent us or damage our reputation.
4.3 You may not:
- copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, sell, or exploit any content from our website for commercial purposes without our prior written permission;
- use our website in any way that breaches any applicable law or regulation, whether in the UK or elsewhere;
- transmit any harmful software, virus, malware, or malicious code through or via our website;
- attempt to gain unauthorised access to our website, servers, systems, or the accounts of other users;
- use automated tools, robots, scrapers, or spiders to extract content or data from our site without our prior written permission;
- use our website to send unsolicited communications or "spam" to anyone; or
- impersonate any person or misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person or organisation.
4.4 If you breach these rules, we may suspend or block your access to our website. We may also take further action, including reporting the matter to the relevant authorities where appropriate.
5. Our content and intellectual property
5.1 All content on our website - including text, articles, videos, images, graphics, logos, book covers, and design - is owned by Plain English Finance or licensed to us by third parties. All intellectual property rights are reserved.
5.2 Your use of our website does not give you any ownership rights in our content. Except as permitted in section 4, you may not use, copy, or distribute our content without our written permission.
5.3 "Plain English Finance", our logo, and any related brand marks are trade marks of Plain English Finance Limited. You may not use them without our prior written permission.
5.4 Third-party names, logos, or trade marks appearing on our website (for example, on book covers, or where we credit contributors and publishers) belong to their respective owners.
6. Important: information is not advice
6.1 All of the content on our website is provided for general information and financial education purposes only. It is not personal financial advice.
6.2 Nothing on our website is a personal recommendation, an invitation to invest, or advice on the suitability of any investment or financial product for your specific circumstances.
6.3 The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may not get back what you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
6.4 Before making any financial decision, we strongly recommend you take advice from a suitably qualified independent financial adviser who understands your individual circumstances, financial position, and objectives.
6.5 While we take reasonable care in preparing the content on our website, we make no representations or warranties that the information is accurate, complete, or up to date. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any decision or action taken by you (or on your behalf) based on information available on our website.
6.6 Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes any duty or liability we owe to you under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), the rules of the FCA, or any other applicable regulation. Where the law prevents us from limiting or excluding a duty or liability, we do not attempt to do so.
7. Third-party links
7.1 Our website may contain links to third-party websites - for example, links to books available on Amazon, links to fund documentation hosted by third parties, or links to external articles and videos. These links are provided for your convenience only.
7.2 We do not control the content of third-party websites and are not responsible for them. Linking to a third-party site does not imply we endorse it or the products, services, or content available on it.
7.3 If you follow a link to a third-party website, please review that site's own terms and privacy policy before using it.
8. Availability of our website
8.1 We aim to keep our website available at all times, but we cannot guarantee this. Availability may be affected by maintenance, updates, technical issues, or matters outside our control.
8.2 We may suspend, withdraw, restrict, or amend all or any part of our website at any time and for any reason. We will try to give reasonable notice of any planned interruption where practicable.
8.3 Our website is intended for users based in the United Kingdom. We make no representation that the content on our website is appropriate for, or complies with the laws of, any country other than the UK. If you access our website from outside the UK, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with local laws.
9. Age restriction
9.1 Our website is intended for use by people aged 18 or over.
9.2 If you are under 18, please do not use our website or submit any information to us. We do not knowingly collect information from people under 18.
10. Limitation of liability
10.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for:
- death or personal injury caused by our negligence;
- fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
- any breach of duty or liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law, including any duties or liabilities under FSMA or the FCA's rules; or
- any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
10.2 Subject to clause 10.1, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, our website is provided "as is" and "as available" without any warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. In particular, we do not warrant or represent that:
- the content on our website is accurate, complete, or up to date;
- our website will be available at any particular time or without interruption; or
- our website is free from viruses or other harmful components.
10.3 Subject to clause 10.1, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable to you for any loss or damage - whether direct, indirect, or consequential - arising from or in connection with:
- your use of, or inability to use, our website;
- any reliance you place on any content available on our website;
- any loss of profits, savings, income, opportunity, business, goodwill, reputation, or data; or
- any corruption or loss of information from your device.
10.4 If, despite the above, we are held liable to you for any loss or damage arising from your use of our website, our total liability will not exceed £100 or the amount (if any) you paid to us in the 12 months before the event giving rise to the liability, whichever is higher.
10.5 This section 10 does not apply to any purchase you make through our website. Any such purchase is covered by our separate Terms of Sale.
11. Indemnity
11.1 You agree to indemnify us, and to keep us indemnified, against any losses, damages, costs, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) that we suffer or incur as a result of:
- your breach of these Terms;
- your unlawful or negligent use of our website; or
- your infringement of any third party's rights, including intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or rights under data protection law.
12. Termination
12.1 We may suspend or terminate your access to our website at any time, without notice, if we reasonably believe you have breached these Terms.
12.2 Termination does not affect any rights or obligations that have accrued before the date of termination.
13. Governing law and jurisdiction
13.1 These Terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them (including non-contractual disputes or claims), are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
13.2 The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms.
14. General
14.1 If any part of these Terms is found by a court to be unenforceable, the remaining parts will continue to apply.
14.2 A failure or delay by us in enforcing any part of these Terms is not a waiver of our right to enforce it in the future.
14.3 You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights under these Terms to any successor or purchaser of our business.
14.4 These Terms are the entire agreement between you and us in relation to your use of our website and supersede any earlier agreements or understandings on the same subject.
14.5 No third party has any rights to enforce these Terms under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
15. Contact us
15.1 If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at [email protected] or write to us at Plain English Finance Limited, Stag Gates House, 63/64 The Avenue, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1XS.