Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Sunshine Expanse ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") regarding your use of the Sunshine Expanse freelancer platform website (sunshine-expanse.com) and related services (collectively, the "Service").

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these terms, then you may not access the Service.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using our Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Service.

3. Description of Service

Sunshine Expanse is an online platform that connects businesses and individuals ("Clients") with freelance professionals ("Freelancers") in the United Kingdom. Our Service includes:

• Project posting and bidding functionality
• Communication tools between Clients and Freelancers
• Payment processing and escrow services
• User verification and rating systems
• Dispute resolution mechanisms

4. User Accounts and Registration

4.1 Account Creation

To use certain features of our Service, you must register for an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain and update your account information
• Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
• Be responsible for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use

4.2 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into binding contracts to use our Service. By using our Service, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements.

4.3 Account Types

• Client Accounts: For businesses and individuals seeking freelance services
• Freelancer Accounts: For professionals offering their services
• Dual Accounts: Users may act as both Clients and Freelancers

5. User Conduct and Responsibilities

5.1 Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or illegal activity
• Violate any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights
• Post false, misleading, or deceptive information
• Harass, abuse, or discriminate against other users
• Attempt to circumvent our fees or payment systems
• Use automated systems to access or interact with the Service
• Reverse engineer or attempt to extract source code
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code

5.2 Content Standards

All content you submit must be:

• Accurate and truthful
• Not infringing on intellectual property rights
• Free from offensive, discriminatory, or harmful material
• Compliant with applicable laws and regulations

6. Client Terms

6.1 Project Posting

Clients may post projects specifying requirements, budget, and timeline. Clients agree to:

• Provide clear and accurate project descriptions
• Set reasonable budgets and timelines
• Respond to Freelancer proposals in a timely manner
• Provide necessary materials and information for project completion

6.2 Freelancer Selection

Clients are responsible for selecting appropriate Freelancers and may consider:

• Freelancer profiles, portfolios, and ratings
• Proposal quality and pricing
• Communication and professionalism
• Relevant experience and skills

7. Freelancer Terms

7.1 Service Provision

Freelancers agree to:

• Accurately represent their skills and experience
• Provide high-quality work within agreed timelines
• Communicate professionally with Clients
• Respect Client confidentiality and intellectual property
• Complete projects according to specifications

7.2 Professional Standards

Freelancers must:

• Maintain professional conduct at all times
• Meet deadlines and deliverable requirements
• Provide regular project updates when requested
• Be available for reasonable communication during projects

8. Payment Terms

8.1 Platform Fees

Sunshine Expanse charges fees for using our platform:

• Service fees on completed transactions
• Payment processing fees
• Premium account features (if applicable)

Current fee structures are available in your account settings and may be updated with notice.

8.2 Payment Processing

All payments are processed through our secure payment system. We may use third-party payment processors and escrow services to facilitate transactions.

8.3 Escrow Services

For eligible projects, we offer escrow services where Client payments are held securely until project milestones are completed to mutual satisfaction.

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 Platform Rights

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by Sunshine Expanse and are protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

9.2 User Content

Users retain ownership of content they create and submit. By posting content, you grant us a license to use, modify, and display such content in connection with providing the Service.

9.3 Project Work

Intellectual property rights in completed work are typically transferred to the Client upon full payment, unless otherwise agreed between the parties.

10. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information. By using our Service, you consent to our data practices as described in our Privacy Policy.

11. Dispute Resolution

11.1 Platform Mediation

We provide mediation services for disputes between Clients and Freelancers. Our team will review evidence and make fair determinations to resolve conflicts.

11.2 Escalation Process

If platform mediation fails to resolve a dispute, parties may pursue other legal remedies under applicable UK law.

12. Termination

12.1 Termination by Users

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting our support team. Upon termination, you remain liable for any outstanding obligations.

12.2 Termination by Sunshine Expanse

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or pose risks to our platform or users.

13. Disclaimers and Limitations

13.1 Service Availability

We strive to provide reliable service but cannot guarantee uninterrupted availability. The Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind.

13.2 User Interactions

We are not responsible for the quality, safety, or legality of user-generated content, interactions between users, or the performance of services provided by Freelancers.

13.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Sunshine Expanse shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Service.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Sunshine Expanse and its affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, and expenses arising from your use of the Service or violation of these Terms.

15. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

16. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes via email or platform notifications. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Sunshine Expanse regarding the Service.

19. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

20. Effective Date

These Terms of Service are effective as of July 22, 2025, and will remain in effect until updated or terminated in accordance with these Terms.