The main purpose of these terms is to protect both the law firm and the client by clearly defining how cross-border legal services are provided, and under what conditions. This helps prevent misunderstandings, legal risks, and compliance issues that commonly arise when legal work crosses international boundaries. 

All cross-border legal services, consultations, or representations provided by LawCite Advocates ("the Firm") shall only be deemed binding and enforceable if memorialized in a formal written agreement executed by both the Firm and the Client. This agreement must explicitly define the jurisdictional scope of the services, which shall be limited exclusively to Indian law unless otherwise expressly stated. The Firm does not provide legal opinions on foreign law. Any collaboration involving foreign legal counsel requires a separate addendum approved by the Client. The Firm disclaims any liability for outcomes influenced by foreign regulatory changes, conflicting judgments, or rulings that are unenforceable in overseas jurisdictions.

Preliminary discussions conducted via virtual platforms such as Zoom, WhatsApp, or email do not constitute legal engagement or representation. To mitigate risks of misinterpretation, all electronic communications include automated disclaimers stating that such exchanges do not establish an attorney-client relationship and that formal representation requires a signed retainer agreement. Clients are made aware that unsolicited transmission of sensitive documents, such as passports or contracts, prior to formal engagement is not protected under confidentiality obligations, and clients assume full liability for any data breaches.

The Firm invalidates any client referrals originating from unauthorized online platforms including, but not limited to, freelance marketplaces such as Upwork and Justdial. Clients sourced through such aggregators must undergo identity verification and confirm their engagement via dual-signature retainer authentication. The Firm maintains transparency by publishing quarterly updates on its website listing all authorized referral partners.

In matters of data privacy and cross-border compliance, the Firm aligns with GDPR as well as the Indian Information Technology Act. Data transfers to jurisdictions outside the EU require clients to execute Model Contractual Clauses compliant with ASEAN and EU standards. Clients who have not formally engaged with the Firm forfeit any rights to claim damages arising from intercepted or mishandled data. Once a retainer is accepted, client data is stored securely with encryption protocols meeting ISO 27001 standards. The Client agrees that any data shared prior to formal engagement is outside the scope of confidentiality obligations. Post-retainer, cross-border data transfers comply with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and relevant ASEAN Model Contractual Clauses.

Payments for legal services must be made in Indian Rupees (INR) through channels approved by the Reserve Bank of India. Payments made in foreign currencies will be subject to automatic refund after deduction of a 15% processing fee. For retainers exceeding ₹10 lakhs, the Firm conducts Anti-Money Laundering (AML) source verification in compliance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) guidelines.

Any disputes arising from cross-border engagements shall be subject exclusively to the jurisdiction of courts in Delhi, India, and governed by Indian law. If arbitration is chosen, it will be conducted under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) with the seat located in Mumbai. Clients expressly waive any rights to challenge or seek enforcement of Indian court judgments in foreign courts, regardless of whether their assets are held overseas. For clarity, the Firm’s advice regarding matters such as U.S. tax structuring applies solely to implications under Indian residency and law; clients must independently seek U.S. counsel for compliance with IRS regulations.

Cross-border litigation requires formal authority documentation including a notarized vakalatnama and power of attorney. The Firm does not accept digital signatures for court filings. Legal notices or summons sent by email or courier are considered invalid unless physically delivered to the Firm’s registered office address in Delhi with an acknowledgment receipt.

The Firm maintains a policy of dynamic updates to these terms in accordance with regulatory and Bar Council advisories. Updates occur quarterly, with notifications issued via email and prominently displayed banners on the Firm’s website. Clients with ongoing engagements must re-consent by signing revised agreements within 30 days of notification to continue receiving services uninterrupted.

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