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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

EBook Frequently asked questions

 

How do I pay for books ordered on the online bookshop?

Payment is by credit or debit card. No cheques are accepted.

I have received a book purchased on the Law Society's online bookshop and no longer require it. Can I return it?

You can return books within 28 days after purchase providing that the book is in mint, saleable condition. For further information, please see our Terms and Conditions.

We have a trade account as a bookshop and would like to return a book(s). What is the procedure?

Trade customers (e.g. bookshops and library suppliers) may contact our distributor CBL Distribution Ltd at thelawsociety@cbldistributionltd.co.uk​. Returns will not be accepted without original invoice numbers and proof of purchase.

The book I ordered came with a free CD-ROM but it is missing/damaged. Can I get another one?

Contact the Marketing Team at marketing@lawsociety.org.uk and we will send a replacement or, if this is unavailable, email the relevant files to you.

Where can I obtain copies of the free customer client care guides?

The Law Society produces a range of customer client care guides on legal issues ranging from buying a home through to preparing for a divorce. These are available free of charge through the Law Society website.

Do you sell Law Society branded gifts or certificate frames?

No, we no longer sell gifts or certificate frames, only books.

Are books subject to VAT?

No, books are not subject to VAT.

What is Law Society Publishing?

Law Society Publishing is the commercial publishing arm of the Law Society. We are committed to producing high-quality, practical books to support your professional practice and keep you abreast of the latest legal developments.

I have a book proposal. How do I contact Law Society Publishing?

We are always delighted to hear from subject matter experts and every proposal we receive will be given serious consideration. If you have an idea for a new book, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we shall work with you to explore its commercial potential. 

You can submit a book proposal by sending an email to:
publishing@lawsociety.org.uk

How do I make a complaint?

If your complaint is related to an order for a book, please contact our distributor at thelawsociety@cbldistributionltd.co.uk​ in the first instance, providing as much detail as possible.

For feedback related to other Law Society services, please visit the Law Society's main website at https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-visit-us, providing details of the issue.

I have paid for an eBook. When do I receive a link?

Orders are currently processed manually and we arrange for links to be supplied by email within two working days. We also accept payment for pre-orders of forthcoming titles. Please check the product page for the title you have ordered to see if it has been published yet.

How do I read eBooks on my PC or laptop?

You need to first download Adobe Digital Editions in order to read EPUB files or PDFs that are protected by Adobe Digital Rights Management (DRM). If you activate your computer with Digital Editions anonymously, all the purchased or borrowed books afterwards belong to that computer and cannot be transferred to another device. If you authorise your version of Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID before you download the content, all the purchased books afterwards belong to that ID which may allow content portability. For technical help with Adobe Digital Editions please go to https://www.adobe.com/uk/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/faq.html. 

What is Adobe Digital Editions?

Adobe Digital Editions is a free download (http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/digital-editions/download.html) which allows you to view and manage eBooks and other digital publications protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM). They are assigned to you through an ID, and can be viewed on any compatible device you own that you activate with that ID. For more help with authorising Adobe Digital Editions, please see Adobe's FAQs at https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/digital-editions/using/faq.html

What is the EPUB format?

EPUB is the file extension of an XML format for reflowable digital books and publications. It consists of three open standards: Open Publication Structure (OPS), Open Packaging Format (OPF), and Open Container Format (OCF). EPUB is produced by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF).

What is Digital Rights Management?

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is copyright protection for electronic products. It is also used to prevent some work from being copied, distributed or printed according to the copyright agreement. Some distributors such as Amazon or Apple have their own proprietary form of DRM. Adobe DRM allows publishers to use the EPUB format and distribute content through a wide number of different channels.

Can I read eBooks on my smartphone or tablet?

Yes, but you will first need to download a free app (e.g. Bluefire Reader or Aldiko) from the app store on your device. To access the content on more than one device or computer you will need to authorise each app with an Adobe ID for which you may be prompted during installation. You can then go back to the link and your tablet or smartphone will automatically give you the option to download and open this file using the reader software. Compatible devices and apps are listed here (http://blogs.adobe.com/digitalpublishing/supported-devices). The eBook will NOT work on a Kindle.

How do I create an Adobe ID?

Please go to http://www.adobe.com/go/digital-editions-createID to create an Adobe ID. Alternatively, when you download Adobe Digital Editions or compatible reader app it will redirect you to the Adobe website as part of the installation process.

How do I open my eBook?

Before you download your eBook from the link provided, please download Adobe Digital Editions (see http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/digital-editions/download.html) and/or a compatible app for smartphone or tablet from the app store depending on how you want to read the eBook. Before or when prompted during installation, to enable content portability ensure that you have created an Adobe ID via their website and that you have authorised your reader software with that Adobe ID. You can then go back to the link and your computer, tablet or phone will automatically give you the option to download and open this file with the reader software. If you activate your computer with Adobe Digital Editions without an Adobe ID, all the purchased or borrowed books afterwards belong to that computer and cannot be transferred. 

I have downloaded the file onto my PC to read with Adobe Digital Editions but where has my download been saved?

For Windows users your download will have been saved on your computers hard drive in My Documents\My Digital Editions and will have the file extension .epub. (Mac users: Documents\My Digital Editions).

I downloaded a file named 'urllink.acsm' but where is the eBook?

You must download Adobe Digital Editions BEFORE you download the file. Once opened in an authorised copy of Adobe Digital Editions, it is saved with the file extension .epub.

Can I network this eBook?

No, Adobe Digital Editions is downloaded directly to the hard drive of your computer. While eBooks are intended for individual use, Adobe allows some content portability for DRM-protected eBooks when compatible software is authorised using Adobe ID. 

Can I transfer eBooks that I have already purchased or downloaded to another computer?

If you activate your computer with Adobe Digital Editions anonymously, all the purchased or borrowed books afterwards belong to that computer and cannot be transferred. If Adobe Digital Editions (or compatible app) is activated in advance of downloading the eBook on two devices using the same ID, purchased books can be opened on the other device. If the other device is not activated or if it is activated with another ID, a pop up window will appear to ask for ID when opening the purchased books. The books downloaded before activation will not be converted. Neither Law Society Publishing nor its book distributor is able to provide technical support for Adobe software or registration. For further information please see https://www.adobe.com/uk/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/faq.html.

What is the maximum number of computers and devices that I can activate with the same Adobe ID?

Adobe permits users to activate up to six computers and devices with the same Adobe ID when using Adobe Digital Editions. Neither Law Society Publishing nor its book distributor is able to provide technical support for Adobe software or registration. For further information please see https://www.adobe.com/uk/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/faq.html

Can I print out the eBook?

No, this is not permitted according to our copyright policy and it is protected by Digital Rights Management.

Can I get a refund for an eBook I have purchased?

All ebooks are non-refundable. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions.