In the age of instant access and online convenience, seeking quick and seemingly cost-effective solutions, especially regarding legal matters, might be tempting.
Recent years have seen an increase in websites that sell legal documents in Kenya, where the users typically search from readily available templates, pay a fee of roughly KES 1,000, and download a copy of the mass-produced legal files ranging from contracts to agreements and even demand letters.
Our firm, Kraido, has been approached on multiple occasions by individuals and businesses for advice on the usability and benefits of legal documents purchased online.
In Kenya’s legal landscape, the allure of buying legal documents online can be a risky endeavor with little to no savings on your part.
The idea of cutting costs and saving time may seem appealing; however, the potential risks, consequences, and the time and money you will spend in the long run far outweigh the perceived benefits.
We have had dozens of clients come to us with documents downloaded from sources on the internet, and the majority of the time, one of our team members has to redraft and amend the documents.
In this article, Kraido’s legal experts explore why buying legal documents online in Kenya is a questionable choice that can lead to significant pitfalls.
Stick around as we delve into why engaging an attorney to create legal documents is prudent and crucial for safeguarding your interests and investments.
For help in your specific case, email or call us today for a personalized and professional touch that ensures peace of mind.
Reasons Why You Should Avoid Buying Legal Documents Online
Buying legal documents online in Kenya is a bad idea for the following reasons:
1. Inaccuracies in the Documents
Many legal document-selling services online employ mass document replication techniques with a touch of Artificial Intelligence which can be highly inaccurate.
We live in a time when AI is rapidly becoming part of our everyday lives, but it’s crucial to understand how AI works and its limitations.
Artificial intelligence related to text generation leverages large language models (LLM) and predictive models trained on large data sets to understand your input and generate an output based on probability.
As with anything that involves prediction, there is always room for error, and the error margins widen when you factor in the bias in the data sets used to train the models. For example, an AI model trained on American Laws is highly likely to give inaccurate information related to the Kenyan jurisdiction.
For this reason, we don’t recommend buying legal documents online, as errors in the legal profession can be incredibly costly.
2. Insignificant Cost Savings
A key consideration for people choosing to take the DIY (Do It Yourself) approach to legal matters is the cost implications. So, saving money by buying a document online will often seem like an excellent idea.
The allure and marketing around getting legal services at a fraction of the cost fails to consider how to use the document once you have it.
We recommend working with a law firm or advocate you trust since you have the benefit of legalized documents and professional drafting tailored to your case, and most law firms, including Kraido, have court clerks on the team who will handle all the filing processes for you so you don’t have to deal with the long queues and waste more time.
3. Hidden Costs and Fees
Many online legal document services in Kenya advertise low upfront costs but fail to communicate the follow-up costs you will incur.
For example, when you buy a demand letter online, the sellers rarely tell you what it will take to make the letters valid.
Under Kenyan Laws, legal documents are not enforceable without the backing of a practicing advocate. Therefore, with the printed copy, you will still need to visit a proper lawyer to have your document reviewed and pay to get a seal that makes it usable.
Failure to disclose all information is a sketchy marketing tactic because if you had all the information upfront, you would not need to buy a random document online.
4. Subpar Document Quality
As lawyers, we have an understated duty to be keen and precise communicators with details and even how we express facts and ideas.
A legal practitioner who fails to adhere to the unspoken rules of the profession risks losing their clients’ money, investments, and even freedom.
What we have seen with many of the online-bought legal documents we have analyzed from our clients is that there tends to be ambiguity and unclear statements that any advocate would know not to include in a legal document.
5. Lack of Personalization
Sites that sell legal documents online typically distribute documents generated at scale using a cookie-cutter template approach. While this method works in many industries, the legal profession can be much more complex than replicating pre-existing files.
Our law firm offers free case evaluations to determine the way forward for clients and assess their best solution before scheduling a meeting or virtual appointment with one of our lawyers to proceed with the case.
From the decades our law firm has been around, we have greatly appreciated that the situations and nature of cases differ, and rarely do clients have exactly similar needs and circumstances.
Failure to tailor the documents to suit your interests often leads to leaving out key details that can help your case.
6. Real Advocates Factor In All Your Rights and Options
Professionally drafted legal documents come with years of experience from the attorney and a consideration of all your rights and options.
A random website selling you a copy of the same is likely using what document someone else used, but that may only consider some of the elements of your situation.
7. Changes in Legal Regulations
Kenyan Laws and regulations are subject to change. Still, the online templates may only sometimes reflect the most up-to-date legal standards, potentially leading to non-compliance with current laws and regulations, which can be costly.
8. Limited Recourse in Case of Issues or Omissions
Whenever you buy a legal document online, your options for resolving issues or seeking additional legal remedies may be limited.
Let’s take the example of a sales agreement—you might accidentally leave out crucial information or, worse, face a breach of contract. Engaging a law firm offers a distinct advantage, providing ongoing support as a structured follow-up avenue in case complications arise.
Consider a scenario where a breach of contract occurs. A lawyer who was involved in drafting the initial agreement is better equipped to handle the situation effectively. They understand the nuances, making the process smoother for you.
Another potential pitfall of unprofessional legal documents is that they often omit critical details. The repercussions can be substantial, potentially leading to avoidable losses in your case.
Legal matters extend beyond acquiring a document; it’s about developing the proper document, fortified by the appropriate support.
Case Study Example
We share this example with the permission of our former client.
Sophia (not her real name), a start-up founder in tech and climate based in Lavington, Nairobi, wanted to formalize her team.
She purchased an employment contract online after opting for convenience and lowering initial set-up costs.
This document, marketed as a time-saving solution by the vendor’s website, overlooked crucial details like confidentiality and non-compete clauses relevant to her industry.
Soon after, one of her employees departed, taking sensitive information and business secrets to start a rival venture.
After engaging Kraido to handle the matter, we uncovered that the online-bought contracts lacked the preciseness needed to prove a breach of confidentiality.
This mistake caused a significant loss in her market share and unforeseen financial setbacks through legal expenses, highlighting how seemingly minor oversights in unprofessional documents can lead to substantial consequences.
The initial allure of saving costs ended up costing more as the best solution for her case was a legal approach against the former employee.
A case like that of Sophia is one we see relatively often these days, and we hope that it will serve as a cautionary tale about the risks of buying legal documents online.
Overview
While websites selling legal documents online might seem convenient, they come with risks that often outweigh the benefits, especially in legal situations.
These platforms typically attempt to offer a one-size-fits-all solution, which doesn’t match the unique details of individual cases — something any experienced attorney would tell you.
Beyond the lack of personal attention, these sites sell the idea of cost savings and a DIY approach to legal services. However, that may only partially be accurate, given the complexities of making legal documents valid and enforceable in Kenya.
Additionally, there’s a risk of mistakes, using outdated laws, unclear information, hidden costs, and no ongoing support for updates or legal action.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to carefully weigh the risks and rewards before choosing online legal documents.
Legal matters typically need a personal touch, precision, and customization only a legal expert can provide. If you need more clarification or legal help, contact our team for a free case evaluation. Your peace of mind and legal protection matter to us.
