This Advocate Platform Agreement (“Agreement”) is between [Registered company name] Private Limited (“LexBar”) and the advocate who accepts it during the application (“you”). You accept it electronically by ticking the box on the application form. The date, time and IP address of acceptance are recorded.
1. Independent professional
- You are an independent professional, not an employee, partner or agent of LexBar.
- The advocate–client relationship is solely between you and the user. LexBar only provides technology to connect you and to process payments.
- You decide independently whether to accept a matter and what advice to give.
2. Eligibility and verification
- You must be enrolled as an advocate with a State Bar Council under the Advocates Act, 1961, entitled to practise, and not under suspension.
- You must hold a Certificate of Practice issued by the Bar Council of India after passing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). If you were enrolled before the 2009–10 batch and exempt from AIBE, you must provide your Certificate of Practice or verification certificate from your State Bar Council.
- You must upload your State Bar Council enrolment certificate, Bar Council ID card, AIBE Certificate of Practice (or the exempt-category proof) and a government photo ID. Your profile stays hidden until we verify them.
- You must tell us within 7 days if your enrolment or Certificate of Practice is suspended, cancelled or expires.
3. Professional conduct
- You remain bound by the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Bar Council of India Rules, including the rules on professional conduct, conflicts of interest and the bar on advertising and solicitation (Rule 36).
- Your profile will contain only factual information. You must not guarantee outcomes or make claims about success rates.
- You must not pay or offer anything to any person for referring or procuring work.
4. Client confidentiality
- You must keep all client information confidential and use it only to advise that client, consistent with your professional duties and privilege under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
- You must not download, share or keep client data outside the platform except as needed to advise the client, and you must follow our data protection instructions.
5. Fees and commercial terms
- You set your own per-minute rates for chat, call and video.
- LexBar charges a fee for its technology, payment processing and support services. The commercial terms, including fees and payout schedule, are sent to you privately by email after your profile is verified, and form part of this Agreement once you confirm them.
- LexBar’s fee is charged for its technology, payment processing and support services. It is not a payment for referring or procuring work, and LexBar does not pay anyone to refer clients to you.
- You confirm that your acceptance of these commercial terms is consistent with your obligations under the Bar Council of India Rules, including the rules on sharing of fees. If either party is advised that any term is inconsistent with those rules, both parties will amend it in good faith.
- Payouts are subject to TDS and other taxes required by law.
6. Conduct on the platform
- Set yourself Online only when you can take consultations.
- Be courteous and professional. Do not ask users to pay you outside the platform for consultations started on LexBar.
- Do not create or request fake reviews.
7. Suspension and termination
We may suspend or remove your profile for breach of this Agreement, professional misconduct, repeated complaints, or loss of your right to practise. You may leave at any time with [15] days’ notice.
8. Governing law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of India. Courts at [City] have jurisdiction.