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SEO & Civil Law:
Protecting Yourself from Unfortunate Client Disputes
Steve Morgan

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Disclaimers
• I am an SEO professional, not a legal professional
• Not legal advice: just my own experiences – if you
take it on-board then I am not responsible for
whatever happens
• Applicable to England & Wales civil law (i.e. may be
different for Scotland, NI, Ireland, Europe, etc.)

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Introduction bit.ly/1kHQCPA

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
The story
2009-2013
2014
2015
My contract
Bad work (from previous SEO)
The dispute…
Start
Disavow Redesign End
ResultCourtStart Resubmitted
Notice
Set aside

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
All that matters…
“It’s not what you know,
it’s what you can prove.”
– Alonzo Harris
(Denzel Washington),
Training Day

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Protecting yourself pre-dispute
1) Go with your gut

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Protecting yourself pre-dispute
2) Lay strong foundations

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Protecting yourself pre-dispute
3) Get a good contract

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Protecting yourself pre-dispute
4) Get everything in writing

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Protecting yourself pre-dispute
5) Screenshot everything you can

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
If a dispute happens…
1) Show your hand

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
If a dispute happens…
2) Compile all the evidence

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
If a dispute happens…
3) Compile all the witness statements
http://www.johnantell.co.uk/how-to-write-a-witness-statement

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
If a dispute happens…
4) Consider an unbiased expert

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
If a dispute happens…
5) Consider legal help (even just a one-off)

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
If a dispute happens…
6) Stay organised

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
The showdown day in court…
1) Prepare for cross-examination

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
The showdown day in court…
2) Use analogies

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
The showdown day in court…
3) Get help from the Personal Support Unit (PSU)
thepsu.org

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Final considerations…
• Consider: the size of the debt

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Final considerations…
• Consider: the risk of not fighting it

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@steviephil #brightonSEO
Thanks for listening
Freelance
morganonlinemarketing.co.uk
Blog
SEOno.co.uk
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