Effective Date: 21 April 2025
Issued by: Lawyer-Talk – India’s Trusted LegalTech Facilitator

1. 📘 Platform Classification

Lawyer-Talk is a technology enabler that facilitates virtual access to independent legal professionals. It:

• Does not function as a law firm
• Does not form attorney-client relationships
• Does not validate or verify legal outcomes, advice, or representations made by Firms
• Does not assume liability for the conduct of any listed legal expert

⚠️ Firms onboarded are wholly and independently liable for their services and legal outputs.

2. 👤 Independent Status of Firms

All onboarded Firms affirm that they are:

• Registered entities or individuals acting independently and autonomously
• Not employees, agents, or contractors of Lawyer-Talk
• Fully responsible for their legal services, regulatory compliance, and ethical conduct

This onboarding does not create a joint venture, partnership, fiduciary, or employment relationship in any form.

3. 📜 Mandatory Compliance & Legal Standing

Firms must ensure:

• Full compliance with the Advocates Act, 1961, and Bar Council of India rules
• That all affiliated professionals are duly licensed, certified, and qualified
• Compliance with applicable state and central legal regulations, advertising norms, and data protection obligations

❗ Failure to comply may lead to instant blacklisting, escalation to regulatory authorities, and payout forfeiture.

4. 🔐 Data Security & Confidentiality Obligations

Firms shall:

• Treat all user interactions, files, and disclosures as strictly confidential
• Comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and IT Act, 2000
• Not save, reproduce, or transmit user information outside the platform environment

✅ Lawyer-Talk retains exclusive ownership of all platform-generated user data.
❌ Any unauthorized data use will result in legal and criminal consequences.

5. 💼 Consultation, Conduct & Service Standards

Firms must:

• Be punctual, maintain clear communication, and ensure device readiness
• Avoid informal behavior, discriminatory remarks, or personal judgments during sessions
• Offer advice in a professional manner that aligns with legal ethics

Consequences of deviation:

• Session marked failed
• Payout withheld
• Reputation rating reduced
• Three verified lapses = permanent ban

6. 💳 Fee Collection, Payment & Platform Rights

• Lawyer-Talk handles all billing and user payments
• Firms shall not demand, solicit, or accept any external or offline payments
• Platform commissions and service charges are non-negotiable

Lawyer-Talk reserves the right to:

• Withhold payouts for service failure, user complaints, or breach
• Adjust future earnings in proportion to refund or wallet credit liabilities
• Permanently suspend financial access in case of fraud or manipulation

7. 🚫 Off-Platform Solicitation Is Banned

The following are strictly prohibited:

• Sharing of WhatsApp numbers, personal emails, office addresses, or social media links
• Requesting users to switch to offline legal arrangements
• Redirecting or cross-selling to firm websites or alternate platforms

🚨 Violations will result in immediate delisting, legal action, and bar council reporting.

8. 🛡️ Indemnity & Liability Clause

The Firm shall:

• Unconditionally indemnify Lawyer-Talk and its affiliates against all direct, indirect, consequential, or third-party claims
• Bear full responsibility for:
  • Legal malpractice or misadvice
  • User losses, dissatisfaction, or escalations
  • Regulatory, civil, or criminal actions resulting from their services
• Cover all legal expenses incurred by Lawyer-Talk in its defense due to the Firm’s conduct

🧾 This indemnity obligation shall survive account termination or suspension.

9. 📊 Monitoring, Quality Control & Suspension Rights

Lawyer-Talk may:

• Record, log, and audit consultations for dispute resolution or quality checks
• Remove, hide, or suppress visibility of firms performing below platform standards
• Conduct surprise audits or issue compliance notices

Firms will be rated and evaluated based on:

• Session success rates
• User feedback and complaint history
• Legal clarity, responsiveness, and demeanor

Three (3) verified complaints = permanent blacklisting

10. ⛔ Deactivation, Delisting & Blacklisting

Firms will be immediately removed if they:

• Engage in any form of user harassment, legal malpractice, or fraud
• Breach data obligations or financial policies
• Repeatedly fail to attend or complete scheduled sessions

Blacklisted Firms:

• Forfeit all wallet and pending payouts
• Are permanently banned from the platform
• May be reported to the Bar Council or law enforcement

11. ⚖️ Dispute Resolution & Legal Jurisdiction

All disputes or claims shall:

• Be resolved under arbitration in Hyderabad, per the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996
• Be subject to exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Hyderabad, Telangana
• Be governed by the laws of India

💼 Platform decisions on user disputes, session reviews, or firm discipline are final and binding.

12. 🔄 Policy Revisions & Binding Effect

This policy is subject to change at Lawyer-Talk’s sole discretion. Changes will be:

• Notified via platform updates or email
• Enforced from the effective date mentioned in the update

Continued use of the platform post-update constitutes full and binding acceptance.

13. 📄 Declaration of Acceptance (Mandatory)

By joining Lawyer-Talk, the Firm:

• Accepts full and independent liability for all legal services rendered
• Agrees to indemnify the platform in all legal scenarios
• Commits to platform ethics, data privacy, financial rules, and consultation decorum
• Acknowledges that Lawyer-Talk is a non-liable technology facilitator only

📬 Official Contact for Legal & Compliance Escalations

Email: compliance@barrister24.com
WhatsApp (Text Only): +91 72075 83477
Office Hours: Monday to Friday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM IST
Response Time: Within 48–72 business hours