In short. Fill in the enquiry form with your name, mobile number, the type of matter and a short account of what happened, with any key date. An advocate reads it and usually responds by phone or WhatsApp, generally the same or the next working day. Sending an enquiry does not make us your advocates. For arrests, raids or a hearing tomorrow, call +91 96259 61599.
The form is below. This page explains what to write in it, what happens after you press Send, how quickly you can expect to hear from us, and what we do with the information. If you would rather speak to someone or visit, the contact page has our phone number, both office addresses and a guide to preparing for a first meeting.
Most enquiries are first read by Advocate Sadhna Singh, who decides what needs to happen next and brings in Advocate B.K. Singh where a matter is headed to court or has a short deadline. Nobody outside the firm sees what you write.
- What to include
- Name, mobile number, type of matter, what happened, key dates
- Usual response
- By phone or WhatsApp, generally the same or next working day
- Emergencies
- Call +91 96259 61599; do not rely on the form
- Relationship
- Begins only on written terms, not on sending an enquiry
Send us your enquiry
How does the online legal enquiry work?
The enquiry form asks for five things: your name, a mobile number, an email address if you want to give one, the type of matter from a short list, and a few lines on what has happened. When you press Send, it goes by email to the advocates at the firm. There is no call centre in between and no automated reply dressed up as advice.
An advocate reads the enquiry and decides what is needed. Sometimes that is a phone call to ask three or four questions. Sometimes it is a request to WhatsApp the notice or the order so we can read it. Sometimes the answer is that the matter is outside what we handle, and we tell you so, with a pointer to where you might go instead.
The form is not a chat window, and it is not a way to get a full legal opinion by return email. Its job is to get your problem in front of an advocate quickly, with enough detail for a sensible first response.
What happens after you send an enquiry?
The enquiry reaches the advocates
Your message arrives in the firm's inbox as soon as you press Send. If you gave an email address you may hear from us there later, but the first response is usually a call or WhatsApp message to the mobile number you entered, so check that it is correct.
An advocate reads it and checks the dates
The first thing we look for is a date: a hearing, a notice period, a limitation deadline. A matter with a date this week is dealt with before one with no date at all, whatever order they arrived in.
We run a conflict check
We check that we have not acted for the person or company on the other side. If we have, we tell you at once that we cannot help in this matter, so you can go elsewhere without losing time.
We call or message you
We ask whatever we need to understand the problem and, where useful, ask you to send the papers. Often we can tell you on this call what the immediate next step should be, such as not replying to a notice yet, or applying for a certified copy of an order.
A meeting or video call, if needed
If the matter needs a proper look, we fix a meeting at our Dwarka or Vaishali office, or a video call. Fees are discussed at that meeting once we know what the work involves.
Written terms before work begins
If you decide to go ahead, the fee and scope of work are agreed in writing and, for court work, you sign a vakalatnama. Only then do we act as your advocates.
What should I write in the enquiry?
Write what happened, in plain words, in the order it happened. You do not need legal terms or section numbers. If you have them from a notice or an FIR, include them, but a clear account of the facts is more useful than a guess at the law. Five to ten lines is usually enough for a first message.
Three details matter more than any others. First, the most recent date: when a notice was received, when the next hearing is, when the cheque was returned, when the bank took possession. Second, who the other side is: a person, a company, a bank, a builder or a government department. Third, what you want: to stop something, to recover money, to defend a case, or simply to understand your position. With these three, we can usually tell how urgent the matter is and who should look at it.
Keep the first message short and send the documents when we ask. A long message covering every detail of a family history can bury the one date that matters.
What to write for common legal problems
These are the questions we would ask you on the phone. Answering them in the enquiry saves a round of back and forth.
| If your problem is | Tell us | Date to mention |
|---|---|---|
| A criminal case or FIR | Police station, FIR number and sections if known, whether anyone is in custody | Date of the FIR, arrest or police notice; next court date |
| Bail | Who is in custody, where, under which sections, whether bail has been refused before | Date of arrest and of any earlier bail order |
| Cheque bounce | Amount, which side you are on (payee or drawer), whether a notice has gone out | Date of the bank return memo, or of receiving the notice |
| Property or tenancy dispute | Where the property is, who is in possession, what title documents exist | Date of any notice, order or threatened action |
| Divorce, maintenance or custody | Date of marriage, whether you live apart, children, any case already filed | Date of separation; next court date, if any |
| Bank loan, SARFAESI or DRT | Lender, loan amount, notices received, whether possession has been taken | Date of the s.13(2) or s.13(4) notice |
| Company, partnership or contract dispute | Your role, the contract or arrangement, the amount involved | Date of breach, termination or demand notice |
| Consumer complaint | What you bought or paid for, from whom, what went wrong, amount paid | Date of purchase, of the defect and of any refusal |
| Government job or service matter | Department, post, the order you want to challenge, any representation made | Date of the order and of your representation |
How long will you take to reply to my enquiry?
We try to respond on the same working day, and most enquiries get a reply by the next working day. On a heavy court day that can mean an evening call rather than an afternoon one. Enquiries sent on a Sunday or a holiday are picked up the next working morning. We cannot promise a fixed response time, which is exactly why the form should not be used for emergencies.
The order in which we respond depends on urgency, not on arrival. A message saying the hearing is tomorrow, or that a SARFAESI possession notice has been pasted on the door, is handled before a general question about drafting a will. If you have not heard back within a working day and something is due soon, call or WhatsApp +91 96259 61599 and mention that you sent the form.
Someone has been arrested: what should I do?
Call +91 96259 61599 directly. Do not fill in the form and wait. While you call, try to find out the name of the police station, the FIR number and sections, the time of arrest, and whether an arrest memo was prepared. Under Article 22 of the Constitution and the BNSS, an arrested person must be told the grounds of arrest and produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, excluding travel time, and the police must inform a relative or friend.
The BNSS also gives an arrested person the right to meet an advocate of their choice during interrogation, though not throughout it (section 38, which replaced section 41D of the old CrPC). The first production before the magistrate is usually where police custody is sought and where bail can first be argued. Our bail lawyer page explains regular, anticipatory and default bail under BNSS sections 480 to 483 and section 187.
If the arrest has not happened yet, but someone has received a notice of appearance under BNSS section 35 or fears arrest after an FIR, there is usually time to consider anticipatory bail under section 482. Send us the notice or the FIR and we will try to look at it the same day.
There is a raid or search at my home or office: what now?
Call us, stay calm and do not obstruct the officers. Ask politely which agency they are from (local police, EOW, cyber police, ED, CBI, income tax or GST officers) and ask to see the search warrant or written authorisation. Note the names and designations of the officers in charge. You are entitled to a copy of the list of things seized, and searches are generally carried out in the presence of independent witnesses who sign the panchnama or seizure memo.
Do not destroy, hide or delete anything, including messages on your phone. That can become a separate offence, and it is usually discovered. Do not sign a statement you have not read; if a statement is recorded, ask that it be read back and corrected where it is wrong. If you are handed a summons, for example under section 50 of the PMLA, note the date and time you must appear and send it to us the same day.
The detail depends heavily on the agency and the law involved. Our pages on ED cases and CBI cases explain the procedure each agency follows, including arrest and bail.
My hearing is tomorrow and I have no lawyer
Call us today, as early as you can, and WhatsApp the last order sheet, the cause list entry if you have it, and the main papers of the case. With these we can tell you whether we can appear, what the hearing is likely to be about, and what the court will expect. Late in the evening there may not be time to read a large file properly, and we will say so honestly.
To appear for you, an advocate files a vakalatnama signed by you. If you are changing lawyers, the court will usually expect a no-objection from your earlier advocate, or an application explaining why one is not available. Where the file cannot be prepared in time, we may ask the court for a short date to take instructions. Courts often allow this once, but an adjournment is never certain. The forms and formats page explains what a vakalatnama and a memo of appearance are.
If you are the one who must appear, for example as an accused on a summons date, go to court even if you have not found a lawyer yet. Non-appearance can lead to a bailable or non-bailable warrant. Tell the court you are arranging a lawyer and ask for time.
Other matters that should not wait for an email reply
- A SARFAESI possession notice. Once the bank acts under section 13(4), the borrower has 45 days to apply to the DRT under section 17. Delay narrows the options quickly. Our DRT lawyer page explains the process.
- Stopped at the airport under a Look Out Circular. Note who stopped you and what you were told, keep your boarding pass and passport details, and call. The remedies lie with the trial court or the High Court, as the LOC cancellation page explains.
- A cheque bounce return memo or notice. The payee has 30 days from receiving the return memo to send notice; the drawer has 15 days from receiving the notice to pay. Both clocks are short.
- An IBC demand notice. A company that receives a demand notice from an operational creditor under section 8 has 10 days to point out a pre-existing dispute. Missing that window can cost the company its defence.
- A bank account frozen after a cyber complaint. Freezes often follow a complaint on the 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in. Note the bank's reference and the police station named, and contact us; the cyber crime page covers both victims and account holders.
- An ex parte decree or order. Time to apply to set it aside or to appeal is limited, generally 30 days for an application to set aside an ex parte decree. Apply for the certified copy and get in touch.
- A demolition, sealing or eviction notice. These usually give a short period to reply or vacate. Send the notice the day it arrives.
Is my online enquiry confidential?
Yes. What you send through the form goes only to the advocates and the staff who assist them, and we do not share it with anyone outside the firm. We treat an enquiry as confidential even before you engage us, because a person asking for legal help is entitled to expect that.
Legal privilege under section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 protects communications made to an advocate in the course of a professional engagement. Whether a first enquiry, sent before any engagement, falls within that protection depends on the facts, so keep the first message to what we need to understand the problem. Our privacy policy explains what data the form collects, why, how long it is kept and what rights you have over it.
Email and WhatsApp are convenient but not perfectly secure, and the service providers hold copies. For highly sensitive material, say so in the enquiry and we will arrange a safer way to share it, or ask you to bring it to the office.
What should I not put in an online enquiry?
Never send passwords, OTPs, PINs, full card numbers or net banking details, to us or to anyone else. We will never ask for them. Your Aadhaar or PAN number is not needed at the enquiry stage either.
If your matter involves intimate images, such as sextortion or a leaked private photo, do not attach the images. Describe what happened, where the material was posted and when; we will tell you how to preserve evidence safely and how the 24-hour removal process under the IT Rules 2021 works. Where a child is involved, do not send any image at all, because possessing or forwarding such material can itself be an offence.
Avoid long written accusations about other people that you cannot support, and avoid detailed admissions in writing before you have spoken to an advocate. Stick to facts and dates. We will ask about the rest in conversation.
Does sending an enquiry make you my lawyer?
No. Sending the form, a WhatsApp message or an email does not create an advocate-client relationship. We act for you only once terms are agreed in writing and, for court work, you have signed a vakalatnama. Until then, please do not assume we are watching any deadline on your behalf.
This matters most where time is running. If you sent an enquiry about a notice with a 15-day deadline and have not heard back, chase us or approach another advocate; the deadline does not pause because an email is sitting in an inbox. The Bar Council of India rules, and why this website gives information but does not solicit work, are explained on our disclaimer page.
Can I ask for a second opinion on a case another lawyer is handling?
Yes. People often write to us when a case has been running for years with little progress, or before an important stage such as final arguments or an appeal. Send the order sheet, the pleadings and the latest orders; the order sheet in particular shows how the case has moved and why. We will tell you what we see, including when we think the present approach is sound.
A second opinion does not mean you must change lawyers, and we do not take over a matter without a proper handover. If you do decide to move the case, your file and papers belong to you, and the change is made by filing a fresh vakalatnama, usually with a no-objection from the earlier advocate. Advocate B.K. Singh's view is that a second opinion helps most before a step that cannot be undone, such as closing evidence or filing an appeal, rather than after it.
How do I send documents after the enquiry?
When we ask for documents, WhatsApp clear photos or email scanned PDFs to advocates@legals365.com. Scan every page, including the backs of pages that carry stamps or endorsements, and keep them in order. Name the files sensibly (FIR, notice dated 3 March, bank statement) rather than leaving them as IMG numbers.
Photos taken at an angle or in poor light cause more trouble than people expect, especially with court orders and old property papers. Lay the page flat in daylight and check that the edges, stamps and signatures are visible. Keep the originals safe at home; we ask for them only when they must be inspected or filed.
For long chats or email threads, export the conversation rather than sending dozens of screenshots, and keep the device. If the material is later relied on in court, it may need a certificate under section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, and the original device can matter.
Two enquiries about the same problem
Here's a made-up example. Two people write to us on the same evening about a builder in Noida who has not handed over their flats.
The first message reads: "Builder cheating us, need strong action, please call urgently." We call, and spend the first ten minutes finding out which builder, which project, when the flat was due and how much has been paid.
The second reads: "Flat in a Noida project, agreement signed 2019, possession promised December 2022, not given. Paid about 85% of the price. Builder now asking for more money. Have agreement and receipts. Want refund or possession." From this we know at once that both the UP RERA authority and the consumer commission are open to this buyer, that the amount paid will decide which consumer commission has jurisdiction, and which papers we need. Our real estate page compares the two routes. The call is about choices, not basics.
Neither enquiry was wrong, and both got a call. The second person simply reached useful advice a day earlier. That is all a good enquiry does.
Before you press Send
- Your mobile number is correct and you can take calls on it
- You have mentioned the most recent date: notice, order, hearing or deadline
- You have named the other side: person, company, bank, builder or department
- You have said what you want to achieve
- You have chosen the closest matter type from the list
- You have left out passwords, OTPs and intimate images
- If someone is in custody or a search is under way, you are calling instead
When might you not take up my enquiry?
We decline some enquiries, and we would rather say so quickly than leave you waiting. The usual reasons are a conflict of interest, a matter outside the areas we handle, or a case in a place where we cannot serve you properly even with associate counsel. Sometimes the problem is not a legal one at all, or the cost of litigation would clearly exceed what is at stake, and we say that plainly.
Where we decline, we try to point you somewhere useful: the right forum, a government grievance portal or a legal services authority. We do not refer people to other lawyers in return for a fee or a favour.
Can I get free legal aid if I cannot afford a lawyer?
Yes, if you are eligible. Under section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987, free legal services are available to women and children, members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, persons in custody, victims of trafficking, persons with disabilities, industrial workmen, victims of mass disasters, and people whose annual income is below the limit notified by the state, among others. Legal aid covers a panel lawyer and costs such as court fees and the preparation of documents.
In Delhi, you can apply to the District Legal Services Authority at the district court complexes, including Tis Hazari, Saket, Karkardooma, Rohini, Dwarka and Patiala House, or to the Delhi State Legal Services Authority. In Noida and Ghaziabad, the District Legal Services Authority sits at the district court. A person in custody can ask the magistrate for a legal aid lawyer at the first production.
We mention this because it is the honest answer for some people who write to us. If you qualify for legal aid and cannot afford private fees, the legal services authority is the right place to begin.
Enquiries from outside Delhi NCR or abroad
The form works from anywhere. If you are abroad, mention your country, your time zone and the best hours to call, and give a WhatsApp number with the country code. Many NRI matters, such as property in Delhi or Noida, matrimonial cases and recovery of money, can be started on documents sent by email and a power of attorney executed abroad with the formalities the court or registering office requires.
Where the case belongs to a court in another state, we tell you whether we can handle it through associate counsel or whether a local advocate would serve you better. For Supreme Court filings, which only an Advocate-on-Record can make, we work with an AOR and remain your point of contact.
Prefer to call or visit?
The form is one of several ways to reach us. You can call or WhatsApp +91 96259 61599, email advocates@legals365.com, or fix a meeting at our Dwarka or Vaishali office, Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm. The contact page has the addresses, directions and a list of what to bring to a first meeting, and the areas of practice overview shows the kinds of matters we handle.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask a lawyer a question online?
Fill in the enquiry form on this page with your name, mobile number, the type of matter and a few lines on what happened, including the most recent date on any notice or order. An advocate reads it and usually calls or sends a WhatsApp message to take it forward.
How quickly will a lawyer reply to my online enquiry?
We try to respond the same working day, and most enquiries get a reply by the next working day. Urgent matters are handled first. If something is due within a day or two and you have not heard from us, call +91 96259 61599 rather than waiting.
Can I get legal advice online without meeting the lawyer?
For many matters, yes. After your enquiry we can speak by phone or video call and read the documents you send. Some steps still need you in person, such as signing a vakalatnama or swearing an affidavit, and we tell you in advance when that is the case.
Is there a charge for sending an online legal enquiry?
No. Sending the form costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Fees arise only if you decide to engage us; they are discussed at the first meeting once we know what the work involves, and agreed in writing before work begins.
What should I do immediately if a family member is arrested?
Call an advocate at once and find out the police station, FIR number, sections and time of arrest. Ask for the arrest memo. The person must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, and that first hearing is usually where custody is decided and bail can be sought.
Can the police arrest without notice in an offence punishable up to seven years?
In such offences the police are generally expected to issue a notice of appearance under BNSS section 35 instead of arresting, unless arrest is necessary for reasons recorded in writing. The Supreme Court's guidelines in Arnesh Kumar v State of Bihar (2014) require police and magistrates to follow this.
What are my rights during a police or ED search?
You can ask to see the warrant or written authority, ask which agency the officers belong to, and receive a copy of the list of items seized. Searches are generally witnessed by independent persons. Do not obstruct the officers or destroy anything, and call your advocate as soon as you can.
Should I give a statement to the ED or police without a lawyer?
If summoned you must appear, and under PMLA section 50 you are bound to state the truth. An advocate is generally not allowed to sit beside you during questioning, so take advice before you go, read the statement carefully before signing, and ask for corrections where it is wrong.
My hearing is tomorrow and my lawyer is not responding. What can I do?
Collect the last order sheet and case papers and call another advocate today. You will need to sign a new vakalatnama, and the court may expect a no-objection from your earlier lawyer. If nothing can be arranged, attend yourself and ask the court for time.
Can I change my lawyer in the middle of a case?
Yes. You can engage a new advocate at any stage. The new advocate files a fresh vakalatnama, usually with a no-objection from the earlier advocate; where that is refused or unavailable, an application explains the position to the court. Collect your file and papers from the earlier lawyer.
Is what I write in the enquiry form kept confidential?
Yes. It goes only to our advocates and the staff who assist them, and is not shared outside the firm. Avoid sending passwords, OTPs or intimate images, and keep the first message to the facts we need. Our privacy policy explains how the data is stored.
Will you call me back or reply by email?
Usually we call or WhatsApp the mobile number you gave, because a short conversation clears up most questions faster than email. If you prefer email, say so in the message. For documents, we may ask you to email scanned PDFs.
Can I send documents to a lawyer on WhatsApp?
Yes. Clear photos or PDFs of every page, in order, are fine for a first look. Lay the pages flat in good light and check that stamps and signatures are readable. Keep the originals safe; we ask for them only when they must be inspected or filed in court.
Does sending an enquiry mean you are my lawyer?
No. An enquiry does not create an advocate-client relationship. We act for you only after terms are agreed in writing and, for court work, a vakalatnama is signed. Until then, keep track of your own deadlines and chase us if you have not heard back.
What if I don't know which matter type to choose in the form?
Pick the closest option, or choose Something else, and describe the problem in your own words. The category only helps us route the enquiry. An advocate reads every message, and if your matter belongs in a different area, we will work that out on the first call.
Can I make an enquiry on behalf of a relative or friend?
Yes, especially in emergencies such as an arrest. Give your own name and number and explain your relationship to the person concerned. Before we act, we will need instructions from that person, or from someone legally entitled to give them, and a vakalatnama signed by them.
Who is eligible for free legal aid in Delhi?
Under section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987, women, children, SC and ST members, persons in custody, persons with disabilities, industrial workmen and people below the notified income limit, among others, are eligible. Apply to the District Legal Services Authority at your district court complex or to DSLSA.
Can I send an enquiry without giving my name?
We need a name and a mobile number to respond and to check that we have not acted for the other side. You can keep the first message general and give fuller details on the call. What you send is treated as confidential.
What happens if you cannot take my case?
We tell you quickly and, where we can, suggest a better forum or a legal services authority. Common reasons are a conflict of interest, a matter outside our areas or a court we cannot cover properly. If a deadline is close, we mention it so you can act elsewhere in time.
Can NRIs send a legal enquiry from abroad?
Yes. Mention your country, time zone and the best hours to call, and give a WhatsApp number with the country code. Many matters, including property and matrimonial cases in Delhi NCR, can be started on documents sent by email and a power of attorney executed abroad.