Frequently Asked Questions 

Cleardocs are dramatically different from both standard document template providers, and even so-called 'online' document providers. We are:

• the only on-line dynamic document provider where you pay per use.

• the only place where you can update existing (or create new) your legal employment documents electronically, and manage the ongoing maintenance of those documents online - no more expensive legal reviews required.

• the only online legal document service that is backed by one of the UK's leading full service law firms, Ashfords.

• the only legal document service that allows you to change your answers to your documents online, even after you have paid for them, until they are signed and executed as legal documents. No more costly issues with 'changing your mind' or typos.

• significantly better value than other providers: employment contracts, senior/executive contracts and staff handbooks. Plus a range of other great quality products on the way.

What documents are available?

Cleardocs are constantly developing new documents, currently we provide employment terms & conditions, contracts and company handbooks.

Are the documents legal in England & Wales?

Yes, the documentation is legal in England & Wales. The documents are prepared by Ashfords, who are one of the UK's leading full service law firms.

Are the documents in plain language?

All Cleardocs documents are in plain language. Cleardocs is absolutely committed to the hallmarks of its brand: clarity | simplicity | ease of use.

The founder of Cleardocs, Christopher Balmford, is an internationally recognised plain language expert. His clients include the United Nations and the European Central Bank. He is a lawyer by training and practised as a solicitor from 1988-1999.

Christopher is a regular speaker at international plain language events and in 2001 helped deliver a one week intensive legal drafting course in the Law Faculty at the University of Cape Town (with Professor Halton Cheadle from Cape Town and Phil Knight, a plain language consultant in Canada).

Many of our professional customers tell us that their clients comment that our documents are refreshingly clear.

International developments

In the United Kingdom the government has recently enacted legislation replacing many old 'legalese' words with plain language replacements.

In the USA the Securities Exchange Commission requires certain parts of prospectuses to be in plain language.

In Australia major law firms are increasingly committed to plain language. Some of them even market plain language services and use their commitment to plain language to distinguish themselves from their competitors.

Who do I contact about legal questions?

If you have any legal questions in relation to the Cleardocs documents, then you can use the FREE legal helpline that the law firm Ashfords provide to Cleardocs users. Ashfords are our lawyers. They sign-off the Cleardocs master documents and the question interface before we put the documents on our site.

The first thing to do is ring the Cleardocs helpline. We will arrange for you to speak with the relevant lawyer at Ashfords. If you require other legal advice in relation to your particular circumstances, then this will be charged for.

Our number is 01256 338414

How do I pay?

You pay for the documents either by regular invoice (if you are a professional firm creating documents regularly) or by credit card. Let us know which you prefer. You can change at any time. If you pay by credit card, the WorldPay Secure Internet Payment Service handles the payment. Your records are not seen or stored on our site. All the payment pages are on the Bank's site.

Cards accepted:

Visa

Mastercard

Meastro/Switch

We send you a Tax Invoice, which means that if you are a professional customer creating documents on behalf of a client, then you can simply bill the cost as a disbursement.

How secure is the Cleardocs site?

We use WorldPay as our credit and dedit card payment gateway. WorldPay are one of the most secure and widely used gateways.

In what file format will I receive my Cleardocs documentation?

We send you the documents in a print-ready Rich Text Format file, otherwise known as an 'rtf' file.

To open and print the document you'll need Microsoft Word or an equivalent word processing package.