Lexigogo, one of the newest entries into the “apps for legal services” marketplace, offers users the capacity to create video contracts “to validate simple agreements without the hassle of creating written ones.”
The developers suggest simple two-party agreements, such as assigning contracts, lending money, selling or lending personal items, and confirming delivery, among potential uses for the app.
On its website, Lexigogo sets out a list of conditions necessary for the video contract to be legal (freedom of consent, lawful consideration, certainty of terms, etc.), and provides tips on how to create a viable video. Once the video is created, the agreement is signed electronically and stored in the Lexigogo cloud.
Lexigogo points out that “According to most national and regional laws […], electronic signatures cannot be denied legal effect in court and are therefore legally binding for almost every personal or business transaction.” The Lexigogo website also addresses potential concerns of prospective users about privacy and conflict resolution.
One application of the free app was described in a recent article on the Artificial Lawyer: “An example, which is provided by the founder, Laurens Theunis, is that of a homeowner contracting with a decorator to paint a room. You video the room, explaining verbally what the other party will do. Then you send it to the other party via the Lexigogo platform, electronic signatures are made, and the contract is then stored in the cloud so both parties can access it.”
I am interested in knowing your thoughts about this and similar legal-services apps – or any other issue related to the law – either in the comments section below or directly via email.