3. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution 

These Terms of Service, and any dispute arising out of or related to them or your use of our website or services, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Where applicable law requires the application of the laws of another jurisdiction (including the mandatory consumer protection laws of your country of residence), such laws will apply solely to the extent required. 

Agreement to Arbitrate 
You and [TLZ Built Lighting] agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms of Service, your use of our website or services, or any products or services purchased through our site (each, a "Dispute") shall be resolved through binding, individual arbitration, rather than in court, except that either party may bring an individual action in small claims court. 

This agreement to arbitrate is intended to be broadly interpreted and includes, without limitation:

• Arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules then in effect.

• The arbitration will be conducted by a single, neutral arbitrator.

• Unless you and we agree otherwise, the arbitration will be conducted in [insert county, e.g., Los Angeles County], California, or, at your election, remotely via videoconference or based on written submissions.

• The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding, and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

• Each party will be responsible for its own attorneys' fees and costs, except as otherwise provided by the AAA rules or applicable law.
   

Arbitration Procedure 

• Arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules then in effect.

• The arbitration will be conducted by a single, neutral arbitrator.

• Unless you and we agree otherwise, the arbitration will be conducted in [insert county, e.g., Los Angeles County], California, or, at your election, remotely via videoconference or based on written submissions.

• The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding, and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

• Each party will be responsible for its own attorneys' fees and costs, except as otherwise provided by the AAA rules or applicable law.
   

Class Action Waiver 
You and we each agree that any Dispute will be brought on an individual basis only, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, consolidated, or representative proceeding. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. If this Class Action Waiver is found to be unenforceable as to a particular Dispute or a particular form of relief, then that Dispute or that request for relief (and only that Dispute or request for relief) shall be severed from the arbitration and may be brought in court, while the remainder of the Dispute proceeds in arbitration. 

Opt-Out Right You may opt out of this arbitration agreement within 30 days of first accepting these Terms by sending written notice to [tlzbuilt@gmail.com], including your name, address, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of arbitration. If you opt out, disputes will be resolved in the courts identified below. 

Exceptions to Arbitration Notwithstanding the above, either party may bring a lawsuit solely for injunctive relief to stop unauthorized use or abuse of the site, or intellectual property infringement, without first engaging in arbitration. 

Venue for Non-Arbitable Disputes For any dispute not subject to arbitration (including opted-out disputes or claims properly brought in small claims court), you and we agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California. 

Severability  If any provision of this Governing Law and Dispute Resolution section is found unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.​
 

4. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution — European Buyers

This section applies to buyers located in the European Economic Area ("EEA"), the United Kingdom, or Switzerland ("European Buyers"), and supersedes the general "Governing Law and Dispute Resolution" section of these Terms of Service where the two conflict. 

Your Right to Bring Claims in Your Home Courts
Nothing in these Terms deprives you, as a consumer, of the protection afforded by mandatory provisions of the law of your country of residence. In particular, you retain the right to bring any dispute before the courts of the EU/UK member state in which you are domiciled, and we may only bring proceedings against you in the courts of the member state in which you are domiciled.

No Mandatory Arbitration for European Buyers
The mandatory, binding arbitration and class action waiver provisions set out elsewhere in these Terms do not apply to European Buyers. Instead, European Buyers may pursue disputes through the courts as described above, or through the alternative dispute resolution options described below. 

Online Dispute Resolution (EU Buyers)
If you are a consumer resident in the EU, you may access the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution ("ODR") platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr, which allows consumers to submit complaints for out-of-court resolution. Our contact email for ODR purposes is [tlzbuilt@gmail.com]. 

Alternative Dispute Resolution (UK Buyers)
If you are a consumer resident in the UK, you may be entitled to refer a dispute to an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") provider. We are [not currently signed up to] an ADR scheme; you may also bring a claim through the UK courts at any time.

Statutory Rights Unaffected
Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer under the laws of your country of residence, including any rights relating to the quality, fitness for purpose, or conformity of goods purchased, which cannot be excluded or limited by agreement. 

Severability
If any provision of this section is found unenforceable under the law of your country of residence, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted, and the remainder of this section will remain in effect.