Legal Notice and Terms of Service

1. Provider details

The Gens Historia website is operated, and research services are provided, by:

Gens Historia, Mikša in družbenik, rodoslovne in zgodovinske raziskave, d.n.o.
Babna Gora 8, 1355 Polhov Gradec, Slovenia
Company registration number: 3528715000
Slovenian tax number: 81885610

Telephone: +386 70 721 612

In these terms, the company is referred to as the “Provider” and the person ordering a service as the “Client”. A consumer is an individual who orders a service for purposes outside their trade, business or profession.

These terms govern the use of the website and the ordering and provision of genealogical, historical and related research services. For orders involving printed publications, artworks or other additional products, the Provider will specify their characteristics, price, delivery arrangements and any special terms, including withdrawal rights, before the contract is concluded.

2. Enquiries and formation of the contract

Submitting an enquiry does not oblige the Client to order or pay for a service.

Using the information received, the Provider assesses the research possibilities and prepares a quotation. The quotation specifies the subject and scope of the research, the charging method, the total price or the basis for calculating it, any additional costs, the expected start and completion dates, and the format and language of the final report. Where the total price cannot be determined in advance, the parties agree on a budget or an amount of work.

The contract is concluded when the Provider receives the Client’s unequivocal acceptance of the quotation by email within its validity period, unless the quotation expressly specifies a different procedure. By accepting the quotation, the Client undertakes to pay for the agreed service. If the Client proposes changes, the parties agree on the final terms of the order before work begins.

Before the Client accepts the quotation, the Provider emails these terms to the Client, including the withdrawal information and form. After the contract is concluded and before work begins, the Provider sends an order confirmation. The Provider retains the quotation, acceptance and applicable terms electronically and supplies the Client with a copy on request.

Contracts may be concluded in Slovenian or English. The Client may correct the information supplied by email before accepting the quotation.

3. Conduct of the research

The Provider carries out the research with professional care, within the agreed scope and in accordance with the rules governing access to archival and other materials.

The Client supplies the information and documents available to them that are relevant to the research and informs the Provider of any known uncertainties or inconsistencies. The Client must have an appropriate legal basis for providing materials and personal data relating to other individuals.

Research possibilities and results depend on the preservation, accessibility, legibility and reliability of the sources. The Provider therefore cannot guarantee in advance that a particular person or document will be found, that a family relationship will be established, that a particular number of generations will be identified, or that a complete family or other history can be reconstructed.

Findings are based on the sources examined. Where the evidence does not support a firm conclusion, the Provider explains this in the report and distinguishes documented findings from hypotheses.

Payment is due for professionally performed work within the agreed scope. If properly conducted research does not produce the discovery the Client hoped for, this does not in itself mean that the service has been performed incorrectly. This provision does not limit the Client’s rights in the event of non-performance or a defective service.

The Provider keeps the Client informed of progress in the agreed manner. The Client’s express prior consent is required to extend the research, exceed the agreed budget or undertake additional chargeable services.

4. Prices and payment

Prices are stated in euros. Each order is subject to the price or charging method disclosed to and accepted by the Client before the contract is concluded.

The Provider is exempt from charging VAT under Article 94(1) of the Slovenian Value Added Tax Act (ZDDV-1).

Any charges for archival reproductions, fees, travel, translations, printing, postage or other external services must be included in the quotation or separately agreed before they are incurred. The Client is not liable for additional payments to which they have not expressly agreed.

Payment must be made to the bank account shown on the invoice within seven days of receiving the invoice, unless the parties agree otherwise before the contract is concluded. Any advance payment or payment by stages must be specified in the quotation.

Changes to the price list do not affect contracts already concluded.

5. Completion and delivery of results

The completion deadline is specified in the quotation, taking into account the scope of the research and the expected availability of sources. Unless a different deadline is agreed, the Provider completes the service within 30 days of the conclusion of the contract.

If circumstances arise that may prevent completion on time, the Provider informs the Client of the reasons without undue delay and proposes how to proceed. An extension of the agreed deadline requires the Client’s consent. The Client’s statutory rights in the event of delay or non-performance remain unaffected.

Results are delivered as an electronic report by email, unless otherwise agreed. The report describes the work undertaken, presents the findings and identifies the sources used. Family trees, transcriptions, translations and document reproductions are included to the extent agreed, subject to the availability of the materials and third-party rights.

6. Consumer’s right of withdrawal

A consumer may withdraw from a distance contract for services without giving a reason within 14 days of the conclusion of the contract.

or by post to the Provider’s address in section 1. The withdrawal form at the end of these terms may be used, but its use is not mandatory. It is sufficient to send the withdrawal notice before the withdrawal period expires.

The Provider will begin work before this period expires only if the consumer expressly requests this and agrees that the right of withdrawal will be lost once the service has been fully performed. This statement is obtained separately from the general acceptance of the quotation.

If the consumer withdraws after making such a request but before the service has been fully performed, the consumer must pay a proportionate amount for the service provided up to the time the Provider is informed of the withdrawal. This amount is calculated using the agreed total price or, if that price is excessive, the market value of the work performed. The consumer does not bear these costs if they did not expressly request that work begin during the withdrawal period or did not receive the legally required information about withdrawal and proportionate payment.

The right of withdrawal is lost once the service has been fully performed, provided that the express request and agreement described above were obtained before work began. Starting the research does not, by itself, remove the right of withdrawal.

Following withdrawal, the Provider reimburses payments received without undue delay and no later than 14 days after receiving the withdrawal notice. Any legally payable proportionate charge for services already provided is accounted for separately. Reimbursement is made using the same means of payment, unless the consumer expressly agrees to another method that incurs no cost to them.

If the consumer has not been properly informed of the right of withdrawal, the extended periods prescribed by the Slovenian Consumer Protection Act (ZVPot-1) apply. This section does not limit other statutory rights arising from a defective service or non-performance.

7. Complaints and dispute resolution

or to the Provider’s postal address. The message should describe the problem and provide information sufficient to identify the order.

Where a service has been performed incorrectly, a consumer may, in accordance with ZVPot-1, request that the defect be remedied free of charge, that the service be performed again, or that a proportionate refund be made, or may withdraw from the contract and request reimbursement.

If the defect is not disputed, the Provider fulfils the consumer’s request as soon as possible and no later than eight days. If the defect is disputed, the Provider responds in writing within eight days of receiving the request.

The Provider seeks to resolve disputes amicably. In accordance with the Slovenian Act on Out-of-Court Resolution of Consumer Disputes (ZIsRPS), the Provider does not recognise any alternative dispute resolution entity as competent to resolve disputes between the Provider and consumers. This does not affect the consumer’s right to seek judicial or other protection available by law.

8. Copyright and use of materials

Texts, photographs, graphics and other website content are protected by copyright where they meet the legal requirements for protection. The rights belong to the Provider or to the other identified rights holders.

Unless otherwise stated for a particular item, the Provider permits the reproduction of its own website texts for non-commercial purposes, provided that the author, where identified, and Gens Historia as the source are acknowledged. Rights notices must be retained, and the content must not be presented misleadingly. Photographs, reproductions of archival records and other third-party content remain subject to their respective rights holders’ rights and the terms governing the individual materials.

The Client may use the research report for the purpose agreed when placing the order. A family history report may be used for personal purposes and shared with family members. Rights to publish, issue or commercially use copyright-protected parts of the report are agreed separately, except where such use is already permitted by law.

Supplying a copy of a document does not in itself transfer copyright or grant permission to publish it. The Provider informs the Client of any usage restrictions known to the Provider. These provisions do not create exclusive rights over historical facts or materials that are not protected by copyright.

9. Confidentiality and personal data

The Provider treats non-public documents and information received in connection with an order as confidential. Access is restricted to persons who require it to prepare the quotation, carry out the order or fulfil legal obligations.

Personal data are processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Slovenian Personal Data Protection Act (ZVOP-2) and other applicable legislation. Ordering research does not in itself constitute consent to the public disclosure of personal data or private family materials.

.

10. Website information and application of these terms

The Provider takes reasonable care to keep the website information accurate and up to date. General descriptions of services are provided for information; the details of each order are established in the quotation and contract.

The Provider may update website content and these terms. Updates do not affect contracts already concluded, which remain subject to the version of the terms supplied to the Client when the contract was concluded.

The contractual relationship is governed by Slovenian law. This choice does not deprive a consumer of the protection afforded by mandatory provisions of the law that would apply in the absence of that choice. Court jurisdiction is determined by the applicable rules.

Nothing in these terms excludes or restricts any Client rights or Provider liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

Version date: 1 September 2026.
These terms apply to contracts concluded after their publication.

 

How to notify us of withdrawal

. You may copy the text below into an email and complete it with your details:

Subject: Withdrawal from contract

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hereby give notice that I withdraw from my contract for the following service: [describe the service ordered].

Date of order: [insert date]
Client’s full name: [insert full name]
Client’s address: [insert address]

Kind regards,
[full name]

You do not have to use this template. Any other unequivocal statement clearly expressing your decision to withdraw and identifying the relevant order is sufficient. You may also send your notice by post to: Gens Historia, Mikša in družbenik, rodoslovne in zgodovinske raziskave, d.n.o., Babna Gora 8, 1355 Polhov Gradec, Slovenia. If submitting your notice on paper, add the date and your signature.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient to send your notice before the withdrawal period expires.