Dispute Resolution Policy

This Policy sets out the dispute process to be followed when a Buyer and Seller who have used the VetGigs’ Payment system and may elect to use to the Dispute Resolution process to resolve a dispute between them. If the dispute process does not resolve your dispute, you may pursue your dispute independently, but you acknowledge and agree that VetGigs will not and is not obligated to provide any dispute assistance beyond what is provided in the terms and agreements.

Either Party of the Dispute case can elect to have their dispute reviewed and decided by the VetGigs’ Dispute Team. The role of the Dispute Team is to provide an impartial and evidentiary non-binding resolution for the Parties. There is no cost for this service. You acknowledge that the verdict of the Dispute Team is non-binding. Either party may pursue the dispute independently, but you acknowledge and agree that VetGigs will not and is not obligated to provide any dispute assistance beyond what is provided in the terms and agreements

User Responsiveness

Buyer

Once a dispute is opened, the Buyer is given 7 days to respond to it. Otherwise, they will automatically lose the dispute and the pending Milestone will be transferred to the Seller's account.

Sellers

Once a dispute is opened, a Seller is given 7 days to respond to it. Otherwise, they will automatically lose the dispute and the pending Milestone will be refunded to the Buyer.

Milestone Dispute Resolution Process

· STAGE 1 - Identifying the issue

The complainant should identify the Project and Milestone(s) to be disputed.

After which, a description of the issue and an explanation of why the dispute is being opened should be given. Users are encouraged to attach any files that could support their claims.

Finally, the complainant is requested to enter the amount they are prepared to pay for the Project (if a Buyer) or wish to get paid for the Project (if a Seller). The amount could be between 0 and the total amount of the Milestone Payment(s) in question.

· STAGE 2 - Negotiations

At this stage, either party can negotiate for partial compensation, or (after a period of time) choose to have VetGigs’ Dispute Team resolve the dispute. Both parties will have the opportunity to tell their side of the story and also negotiate terms to resolve the issue between themselves.

· STAGE 3 - Final Offers and Evidence

Stage 3 is the last stage where both Users can submit their final evidence to support their case. After Stage 3, the involved parties are no longer allowed to submit evidence. The dispute will be resolved based upon the evidence provided through the Dispute System, or that is otherwise available to the Dispute Team, such as the project description and correspondence between the parties.

Once the dispute has proceeded to Stage 4, further evidence will no longer be accepted.

· STAGE 4 – Dispute Resolution

At Stage 4, the Dispute Team will review all evidence and other information provided to reach a decision (usually within 48 hours). Dispute verdicts are non-binding.  If the dispute process does not resolve your dispute, you may pursue your dispute independently, but you acknowledge and agree that VetGigs will not and is not obligated to provide any dispute assistance beyond what is provided in the terms and agreements.

Evidential Requirements for Your Dispute

Should you elect to have the Dispute Team resolve your dispute, you agree to allow the Dispute Team to read all correspondence made on the Site and download or access, and test (if necessary), all uploaded files, programs, and websites related to the dispute for the sole purpose of having your dispute resolved.

You are highly encouraged to submit all the documents that would support your claims on your dispute.

Submit e-mail correspondences as screenshots or as *.eml files. If submitting screenshots, ensure that the "To", "From", and the "Date" bar is visible. E-mail correspondences sent in *.txt or *.doc or any word processing software will not be honored. For proof of external correspondence, users should provide screenshots of their entire unedited conversation.

IM (instant messenger) conversations should be submitted as screenshots of the conversation from the IM software. Correspondences sent in *.txt, *.doc, or any word processing software will not be honored.

Provide the products, contracts, and other files relating to the project and the dispute.

VetGigs will retain the confidentiality of the project and the privacy of the involved users and will not release the collected information to any party unless required by law.