Fair AI matching is ready. Search or select filters to get local recommendations.
Verified advocates, free consultation booking and smart case matching. Finding and consulting advocates on Mara Vakil is free for clients.
Marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, before the Marriage Officer. Open to couples of any religion.
Vedic marriage ceremony at an Arya Samaj Mandir with a marriage certificate, usually arranged within days.
Divorce by mutual consent under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, handled by an independent advocate.
Change your name officially through publication in the Gazette of India, with affidavit and newspaper ads.
Publish your name change notice in English and Hindi or regional newspapers, with the paper copy delivered.
Any general affidavit drafted, printed on stamp paper and notarised: address, gap year, single status and more.
Rent agreement drafted for landlord and tenant, notarised or registered as needed.
Legal notice drafted and sent by an independent advocate for money recovery, property, consumer or employment issues.
Find advocates, understand your rights and track your case in one place.
Find verified local advocates, compare courts and practice areas, read legal guides, estimate fees, and start without forced signup.
Join free. Receive client requests in your practice area, plus client booking, a hearing calendar and the Advocate Digital Diary.
Type your question the way you would ask a friend. The assistant works out the fee, deadline or eligibility for your state and tells you the steps, the documents and where to go.
General information, not legal advice. Fees change by government notification, so confirm the final figure with the office concerned or an advocate. Mara Vakil is not a law firm.
No-login previews and guided tools that give visitors value immediately.
Common drafts for notice, rent agreement, affidavit, and complaint formats.
Clear flows for common Indian legal processes before booking a consultation.
Official government fees and legal deadlines, worked out for your case. Based on the law and government notifications.
Choose your legal need and get matched instantly
Describe your legal issue in 2 mins. Set budget and urgency.
Your request goes to enrolment-checked advocates who handle such matters in your city.
Advocate accepts and confirms a time. Mara Vakil charges clients nothing to find or consult advocates.
Check the status any time with your request ID and mobile number.
Write what happened in your own words. Your request goes straight to the dashboards of Bar Council enrolled advocates who handle such matters. One of them accepts, sees your number and calls you to fix a consultation.
Bar Council enrolled advocates by practice area and city. Open a profile, or send your matter to one advocate directly.
Five simple steps. Nothing is payable to send a request.
Choosing the right area is the most common reason a request reaches the right advocate quickly.
| Practice area | What it usually covers |
|---|
How to work out which lawyer you need, check that they are genuinely enrolled, understand fees, prepare for the first meeting, get free legal aid if you qualify, and avoid touts and false promises. Written for people who have never hired a lawyer before.
Most people look for a lawyer in a hurry: a notice has arrived, a relative has been arrested, a builder has stopped answering calls. The temptation is to call the first number a neighbour suggests. Taking an hour to follow these steps usually saves months later.
Not sure which lawyer you need? Describe your problem once and an enrolment-verified advocate who handles it can call you back, free.
Indian advocates are not formally certified as specialists, but most build their practice around a few kinds of work. Matching your problem to the right area is the single most useful thing you can do.
| Your problem | Advocate who usually handles it | Where it is usually heard |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce, mutual consent or contested, alimony | Divorce lawyer | Family Court, or district court where there is none |
| Maintenance, custody, domestic violence, guardianship | Family lawyer | Family Court, Magistrate's court for domestic violence cases |
| FIR, police complaint, trial, criminal appeal | Criminal lawyer | Magistrate's court, Sessions Court, High Court |
| Arrest, regular or anticipatory bail | Bail lawyer | Magistrate, Sessions Court, High Court |
| Title, partition, possession, builder delay, tenant disputes | Property lawyer | Civil court, RERA, rent authorities |
| Money recovery, contracts, injunctions, defamation | Civil lawyer | Civil court, commercial court for larger commercial disputes |
| Defective product, bad service, insurance claim rejected, builder | Consumer lawyer | District, State or National Consumer Commission |
| Company formation, shareholder disputes, contracts, insolvency | Corporate lawyer | NCLT, commercial courts, arbitration |
| Online fraud, hacked accounts, morphed photos, cyber stalking | Cyber lawyer | Cyber police, Magistrate's court, adjudicating officer |
| Termination, unpaid salary, gratuity, PF, harassment at work | Labour lawyer | Labour court, industrial tribunal, authorities under labour laws |
| Income tax notice, GST demand, appeal | Tax lawyer | Tax authorities, tribunals, High Court |
| Writing a will, probate, succession, inheritance disputes | Will lawyer | District Judge or High Court for probate; civil court for disputes |
| Cheque returned unpaid | Criminal or civil lawyer; start with a cheque bounce notice | Magistrate's court under Section 138 |
| Court marriage or marriage registration | Family lawyer or our court marriage service | Marriage officer, sub-registrar |
| Road accident compensation | Civil or accident claims lawyer | Motor Accident Claims Tribunal |
| Bank loan recovery against you, SARFAESI notice | Banking or civil lawyer | Debts Recovery Tribunal |
| Service matters of government employees | Service lawyer | Administrative tribunals, High Court |
| Fundamental rights, government action, police inaction | Constitutional or writ lawyer | High Court, Supreme Court |
If your problem touches more than one area, such as a property dispute with a criminal complaint, or a divorce with a domestic violence case, you may need advice on both sides. Many advocates work with colleagues in other areas, so say so at the start.
Every advocate on Mara Vakil has had their Bar Council enrolment checked before being listed.
Because advocates cannot advertise, clients often have little to go on except word of mouth. These are the qualities that actually make a difference, and how to judge them in a first meeting.
Ask how often they appear in the court or tribunal where your case will be heard, and what kinds of matters they handle there. Daily familiarity with a court is worth more than a long list of degrees.
A good advocate tells you what could go wrong, not only what you want to hear. Be wary of anyone who finds no risk at all in your case.
You should leave the meeting understanding the next steps, the likely timeline and the costs. If you do not, ask again. If you still do not, consider someone else.
Did they read your documents before giving an opinion? Did they ask questions that showed they understood your facts? Preparation in the first meeting usually predicts preparation in court.
Ask who will appear on routine dates, how you can reach them, and how quickly they respond. Many good advocates are busy; what matters is that someone in the chamber keeps you informed.
Most disputes end in settlement. An advocate who explores mediation, Lok Adalat or negotiation where sensible is protecting your time and money.
Experience in years is only one signal. A newer advocate with a focused practice in your kind of matter, who has time for your case, can be a better fit than a busy senior who will rarely see your file. Many cases are handled by a team, with a junior attending routine dates and a more experienced advocate arguing important hearings.
| Route | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation from family or friends | Someone you trust has seen the advocate's work | The advocate may not handle your kind of matter or practise in the right court |
| Bar association at your district court | Local advocates who appear in that court daily | You may be approached by touts near the court; go to the association's office directly |
| Legal services authority | Free advocate for eligible people, accountable to the authority | Eligibility conditions; ask for updates regularly |
| Law school legal aid clinics | Free basic guidance and help with documents | Students cannot appear in court; they can refer you onward |
| Online search and directories | Wide choice, quick contact | Ratings and "top lawyer" labels are not reliable; verify enrolment yourself |
| Mara Vakil | Free for clients; your matter reaches enrolled advocates who handle such cases; your number goes only to the one who accepts | You still meet the advocate and decide; check enrolment and agree the fee in writing |
In everyday speech, "lawyer" and "vakil" mean anyone with a law degree. In law, only a person enrolled with a State Bar Council under the Advocates Act, 1961 is an advocate and can appear in court for you. The distinction matters, because the people who hang around court gates offering help are not always advocates.
| Who | What they can do | When you need them |
|---|---|---|
| Advocate | Enrolled with a State Bar Council; can advise, draft and appear in courts and tribunals across India | Almost every legal matter |
| Senior Advocate | An advocate designated as senior by a High Court or the Supreme Court; usually argues cases instructed by another advocate and does not draft or file papers directly | Important hearings in higher courts, where a junior advocate also works on the matter |
| Advocate-on-Record | An advocate who has passed the Supreme Court's own examination and is the only person entitled to file cases there | Any case in the Supreme Court |
| Law graduate who is not enrolled | Can work as legal advisor, in-house counsel or researcher, but cannot appear in court for you | General advice in companies; not for court cases |
| Notary | Attests signatures, administers oaths and certifies copies under the Notaries Act | Affidavits and attestations; not for legal advice or court cases |
| Chartered accountant or company secretary | Accounts, tax compliance, company filings; can appear before some tax authorities and tribunals | Tax returns, compliance; work with an advocate in disputes |
| Document writer or typist | Typing and drafting of simple documents outside court premises | Not a substitute for an advocate when the matter is legal |
| Tout | A person who procures clients for lawyers for a commission; touting is prohibited | Never |
Law graduates of the 2009-10 batch onwards must also pass the All India Bar Examination, conducted by the Bar Council of India, before they can practise. Bar Councils periodically verify that advocates on their rolls are actually practising, and have published lists of advocates whose details could not be verified. These checks exist because people pretending to be advocates have been a real problem in many courts.
Checking enrolment takes a few minutes and protects you from the most damaging kind of fraud: paying someone who cannot legally represent you, and discovering it only when the case is lost or never filed.
On Mara Vakil, advocates apply with their enrolment number and State Bar Council, and their profile goes live only after our team checks those details. We still encourage you to check for yourself before you engage anyone. Read our advocate listing policy for how this works.
Have a deadline or an arrest? Mark your request urgent and a verified advocate can call you today.
Many people waste time and money by going to the wrong forum. The right forum depends on the type of matter, its value and where it arose.
| Forum | What it hears |
|---|---|
| Civil Judge (junior and senior division) | Civil suits up to the pecuniary limit fixed by the state: money recovery, injunctions, property disputes |
| District Judge | Higher-value civil suits, civil appeals, probate, succession, arbitration matters |
| Commercial Courts | Commercial disputes above the specified value, such as business contracts, partnership, intellectual property |
| Judicial Magistrate | Most criminal trials, bail in many offences, cheque bounce cases, domestic violence applications |
| Sessions Court | Serious offences, anticipatory bail, criminal revisions and appeals |
| Family Court | Divorce, maintenance, custody, guardianship and other matrimonial matters in cities where it exists |
| Consumer Commissions | District Commission for claims up to ₹50 lakh, State Commission from ₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore, National Commission above ₹2 crore |
| Motor Accident Claims Tribunal | Compensation for road accident death and injury |
| Labour Courts and Industrial Tribunals | Industrial disputes, wrongful termination of workmen |
| RERA | Complaints against builders and agents for registered real estate projects |
| NCLT | Company law and insolvency |
| Debts Recovery Tribunal | Bank and financial institution recovery claims above the threshold, and challenges to SARFAESI action |
| Administrative Tribunals | Service matters of central and some state government employees |
| High Court | Appeals, revisions, writ petitions, bail in serious matters, original civil jurisdiction in some cities |
| Supreme Court | Appeals by special leave, writ petitions for fundamental rights, transfer petitions |
Court fees, limitation periods and procedure all depend on the forum. A lawyer's first task is often simply to confirm the right forum and the time left to approach it.
Some situations cannot wait for the usual process of shortlisting and meeting. Here is what to do first.
The arrested person has a right under Article 22(1) of the Constitution to consult and be defended by an advocate of their choice, and under Section 38 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to meet an advocate during interrogation, though not throughout it. The police must inform a relative or friend of the arrest and the place of detention, and the person must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours. Contact a bail lawyer immediately.
If you expect to be named in an FIR, an advocate can apply for anticipatory bail before the Sessions Court or High Court under Section 482 of the BNSS. Do not wait for the police to arrive.
Note the date you received it. Many notices give 15 or 30 days. Cheque bounce notices, for example, give the drawer 15 days to pay. Get advice before replying, and keep proof of when the notice arrived.
Read the date and the court. Missing the first date can lead to the case proceeding without you, or a warrant in a criminal case. An advocate can appear on your behalf in many situations.
For immediate danger, call 112 or the women's helpline 181. A protection officer, service provider or advocate can file an application before the magistrate, who can pass interim protection and residence orders.
Call the cyber crime helpline 1930 at once and report on the national cyber crime portal. Quick reporting can freeze money before it is withdrawn. Then consult a cyber lawyer about recovery.
Mark your request as urgent when you describe your matter on Mara Vakil. Advocates see the urgency and the deadline along with your matter.
Clients never pay Mara Vakil. Booking a call back from an advocate costs nothing.
There is no fixed fee schedule for advocates in India. What you pay turns on the advocate's standing, the city and court, how complicated the dispute is, and the hours it is likely to need. The same divorce can cost very different amounts in a district town and in a metropolitan High Court. What you can control is clarity: knowing what you are paying for and what else you will have to pay.
| Arrangement | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation fee | A one-time fee for a meeting or call to understand the matter and give initial advice | Deciding whether to proceed; a second opinion |
| Per appearance | A fee for each date the advocate appears in court | Long cases where the number of hearings is uncertain |
| Stage-wise | Separate fees for drafting, filing, evidence, arguments and so on | Civil suits and trials with clear stages |
| Lump sum | A single agreed sum for a clearly described job, for example a mutual divorce or a bail application | Matters with predictable scope |
| Retainer | A regular fee for ongoing advice and a set amount of work | Businesses and landlords with recurring matters |
The Bar Council of India Rules forbid an advocate from tying the fee to the outcome, or to take a share of what you recover. Fees must be agreed for the work. Advocates are expected to give receipts and account for money held for clients. A written fee note listing what is covered avoids most disputes. Our guide to legal fees in India explains typical structures in more detail.
Mara Vakil charges clients nothing to find or consult advocates, and does not take a commission from the advocate's fee. Any fee is agreed directly between you and the advocate.
Your mobile number goes only to the advocate who accepts your request, never to a list of callers.
The first meeting decides a great deal: whether the advocate understands your case, whether you trust them, and what the plan will be. Twenty minutes of preparation makes it far more useful.
Want a second opinion on your case? Talk to another enrolment-verified advocate, free.
| Matter | Key documents |
|---|---|
| Divorce or maintenance | Marriage certificate or photographs, address proofs, income proof of both spouses, children's details, messages and records of incidents |
| Criminal case or bail | Copy of the FIR, arrest memo, any notice from police, identity proof, details of sureties, medical records if relevant |
| Property dispute | Sale deed or title papers, mutation records, tax receipts, site plan, family tree for inherited property, any agreements |
| Builder delay | Allotment letter, builder-buyer agreement, payment receipts, bank loan papers, correspondence with the builder |
| Cheque bounce | Original cheque, bank return memo, proof of the debt, copy of notice and postal receipts |
| Employment | Appointment letter, salary slips, termination letter, emails, PF and gratuity statements |
| Consumer complaint | Bill or invoice, warranty card, complaint emails and replies, photographs, expert report if any |
| Inheritance | Death certificate, will if any, list of legal heirs, property and bank documents |
Make two sets of copies: one for the advocate and one for yourself. Keep originals safe and produce them only when the court or advocate needs them.
An advocate-client relationship begins when you engage an advocate, usually by signing a vakalatnama. The vakalatnama is a document authorising the advocate to appear and act for you in a particular case. It is filed in court and becomes part of the record.
Keep a simple case diary of your own: dates, what happened and what is next. On Mara Vakil, clients can track their matters in My Cases, and advocates have a free case diary with hearing reminders.
Knowing the stages helps you understand what your advocate is doing, what they need from you, and why some dates seem to achieve little.
On many dates, the case may only be adjourned because a judge is on leave, a witness is absent, or the court's list is too long. Ask your advocate after each date what happened and what is next; the order sheet records it.
Fees are agreed directly between you and the advocate, in writing. Booking the call back is free.
Indian courts carry a very heavy load of pending cases, and the National Judicial Data Grid shows crores of matters pending across courts. Simple matters, such as a mutual consent divorce or bail, can be resolved in weeks or months. Contested civil suits and criminal trials often take years. A good advocate will give you an honest range, not a promise.
You cannot control the court's calendar, but you can avoid adding to the delay:
The Limitation Act and special laws fix periods within which cases must be filed. Missing them can end a good claim before it starts. These are common examples; your advocate will confirm the exact period for your facts.
| Matter | Usual time limit |
|---|---|
| Cheque bounce | Notice within 30 days of the bank's return memo; the drawer gets 15 days to pay; complaint within one month after that |
| Consumer complaint | Two years from the date the cause of action arose |
| Suit to recover money on a loan or contract | Generally three years |
| Suit for possession of immovable property based on title | Twelve years from when the other side's possession becomes adverse |
| Civil appeal | 30 days to the district court; 90 days to the High Court |
| Motor accident claim | Six months from the accident under the amended Motor Vehicles Act; consult quickly |
| Workman's challenge to termination | Application to the labour court within three years of discharge, dismissal or retrenchment |
| Income tax and GST appeals | Usually 30 days to three months from the order, depending on the stage |
Courts can condone delay in many cases if there is sufficient cause, but this is discretionary. The safest course is to see an advocate as soon as the problem arises.
Need a lawyer in another city? Advocates who practise where your case will be heard can take it up.
Going to court is not the only, or always the best, way to resolve a dispute. A good lawyer will consider these routes first.
Indian law allows a person to appear and argue their own case, called appearing as a party in person. Some forums are designed to be used without lawyers: consumer commissions accept complaints filed by consumers themselves, the maintenance tribunal for senior citizens bars legal practitioners, and Lok Adalats work through conciliation. Many people file RTI applications, simple consumer complaints and police complaints on their own.
For most court cases, though, an advocate makes a real difference. Procedure, limitation, drafting and cross-examination are technical, and a mistake early in a case can be hard to undo later. Courts often advise a party in person to get legal aid if they cannot afford an advocate. A sensible middle path is to take advice from an advocate on the strategy and documents, even if you plan to appear yourself in a simple matter.
You are free to change your advocate at any stage. Clients often hesitate because they worry about offending the advocate or losing their papers, but the law is clearly on the side of the client's choice.
Most advocates work honestly and hard, often in difficult conditions. But if you face serious misconduct, such as taking money and doing nothing, misappropriating funds, colluding with the other side or impersonation, you have remedies.
If an advocate listed on Mara Vakil behaves improperly with you, tell us through the help centre. We can remove profiles that breach our listing policy.
Ready to speak to a lawyer? Book a free call back in under two minutes. No login needed.
Many people who are entitled to a free lawyer never ask for one. Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the following people can get free legal services, including an advocate, court fees and copies, from the legal services authorities:
Lok Adalats, organised by the same authorities, settle pending and pre-litigation disputes by compromise, with no court fee, and an award is final and binding. The government's Tele-Law service connects people at Common Service Centres with panel lawyers by video for free advice. Check whether you qualify with our free legal aid eligibility checker.
Every case turns on its facts. A verified advocate can tell you what applies to yours.
Courts and lawyers in India have moved a great deal of work online since 2020. You can often consult an advocate in another city by phone or video, and follow your case without going to court for every date.
Most cases are heard where the cause of action arose, where the property is, or where the other side lives. That is often not where you live now. A family in Bengaluru may have a property dispute in a village in Bihar; a woman who moved back to her parents' home in Jaipur may need to file for maintenance there.
Our city pages explain local courts and how to reach advocates in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Lucknow. See all on lawyers by city.
Prefer to choose yourself? Browse enrolled advocates by city, court and language, or send your matter to all who handle it.
Women are entitled to free legal aid regardless of income. Many family courts have counselling and mediation centres, and many districts have women advocates on the legal aid panel. You can ask specifically for a woman advocate when you describe your matter.
A senior citizen or parent who is not being maintained by children or relatives can apply to the maintenance tribunal under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The proceedings are meant to be simple, and the Act bars parties from being represented by a legal practitioner before the tribunal, though a senior citizen can take advice beforehand and may be helped by a maintenance officer.
Every accused person has a right to be defended. If you cannot afford an advocate, the court must provide one at state expense through legal aid. Ask the magistrate at the first production.
For recurring needs, such as recovery of dues, contracts and notices, a retainer with a local civil or commercial advocate is often cheaper than hiring someone each time. For company law and insolvency, look for advocates who appear before the NCLT.
Lower courts work largely in the state's language, and many advocates are comfortable in several languages. Choose an advocate who can explain things in the language you understand best. Mara Vakil profiles show the languages each advocate speaks.
No advocate can promise how a judge will decide. A guarantee usually means the person wants your money now.
Offers to "manage" the judge, police or staff are illegal, and the money usually disappears.
A person who will not give an enrolment number, or gives one that does not match, should not be engaged.
Being rushed to sign blank papers, a vakalatnama without details or a settlement you have not understood.
Large cash payments with no receipt or written fee note, or demands for money in the name of court officials.
People approaching you outside court or police stations offering "a good lawyer" for a commission.
Got a notice, FIR or summons? A verified advocate can explain what it means and what to do next.
Searching online for "best lawyer near me" brings up directories, apps and advertisements. It helps to understand what Indian law allows, because it explains why some of what you see should be treated with caution.
Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules prohibits advocates from soliciting work or advertising, directly or indirectly, through circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications or interviews. Since a 2008 amendment, advocates may put up websites with limited particulars: name, address, contact details, enrolment number, professional and academic qualifications and areas of practice. Rankings, ratings, testimonials, success rates and claims of being the "best" or "top" lawyer are not among the permitted particulars, and the Bar Council has objected to platforms that publish them.
When you use any directory, including ours, keep three things in mind. Star ratings and "top lawyer" badges on lawyer platforms are not an official measure of competence. A profile's claims should be checked against the Bar Council's records. And paying a platform for a consultation does not create the safeguards of engaging an advocate directly with a written fee agreement.
Mara Vakil shows only facts that advocates are allowed to share: enrolment details, courts, practice areas, languages and contact. Ratings, win percentages and paid spots have no place on the platform, and no advocate can buy a higher position.
Mara Vakil is a technology platform and not a law firm. Nobody at Mara Vakil gives legal advice or handles cases. The platform simply makes it easy to reach enrolled advocates who handle your kind of matter, without paying anyone and without your number being passed around.
You can also browse enrolled advocate profiles by city, court, practice area and language, and send your matter to one advocate directly. For document work such as affidavits, agreements, notices, court marriage and name change, our legal services can be booked online with no advance payment.
These stories are drawn from common patterns and do not describe real people.
A son in Ghaziabad gets a call that his father has been detained after a neighbourhood fight. He describes the matter on Mara Vakil as urgent at 11 at night. A criminal advocate who practises in the local courts accepts within the hour, tells him which police station and court are involved, and appears when the father is produced before the magistrate the next day. Bail is granted on a personal bond with a surety.
A couple in Noida with a flat booked in 2019 has written to the builder many times. They shortlist two advocates, one from a friend and one through Mara Vakil, and meet both. The second explains the choice between RERA and the consumer commission, the likely timelines and the fee for each stage in writing. They engage her and file before RERA.
A software engineer learns that a cousin has had his late father's land mutated in his own name. Rather than hiring someone in Pune, he looks for an advocate who practises in the tehsil and district court concerned. They work by video and phone, and he travels only for the date when his evidence is recorded.
A woman separated from her husband, with a young child and no income, assumes she cannot go to court. A friend tells her about free legal aid. She calls 15100, is directed to the District Legal Services Authority, and a panel advocate files her maintenance petition without any fee.
A small trader facing a cheque bounce complaint is approached by someone who promises to get it dismissed for a large sum. He checks and finds the man is not an enrolled advocate. He engages a genuine advocate instead, who advises him to settle with the complainant; the case is compounded at the first stage.
Talk to a lawyer about your own situation. Asking is free and private.
Fee reflects many things, including the city and the advocate's standing in higher courts. For a district court matter, an advocate who practises there daily may serve you better.
Ratings and "best lawyer" labels have no official standing and are not permitted to be used by advocates themselves under the Bar Council rules.
You can change your advocate at any stage. Settle fees for work done and collect your file.
Legal aid advocates are enrolled advocates on the legal services authority's panel, and many are experienced.
On Mara Vakil, describing your matter and getting a call back from an enrolled advocate is free.
What you tell your advocate for professional purposes is protected by law. Hiding facts is the real risk.
Identify your type of matter and the court that will hear it, then shortlist two or three advocates who regularly practise there. Check their enrolment, meet them with your documents, and choose the one who explains your options clearly and agrees the fee in writing.
Ask for the enrolment number and State Bar Council, see their Bar Council identity card, and confirm the details with the Bar Council's online search or office. You can also search cases by advocate name on the eCourts portal.
A lawyer is anyone with a law degree. An advocate is a lawyer enrolled with a State Bar Council, and only an advocate can appear in court for you.
It varies widely by city, court and experience. Some advocates give a short first consultation free; others charge a fixed consultation fee. Ask before the meeting.
No. The Bar Council rules do not allow fees that depend on the result or a share of the amount recovered.
Yes, if you are eligible for legal aid: women, children, SC and ST members, persons with disability, industrial workers, people in custody and people below the income limit, among others. Call 15100 or visit your District Legal Services Authority.
A property or civil lawyer who practises in the court where the property is located. For builder delays, someone familiar with RERA and consumer commissions.
A criminal or bail lawyer who practises in the court where the person will be produced. Contact one immediately, because the first production before the magistrate is within 24 hours.
You can, but it is usually better to engage an advocate who practises where the case will be heard. You can consult them by video and travel only when needed.
Yes. Inform the present advocate, settle fees for work done, collect your file, and the new advocate files a fresh vakalatnama, usually with a no-objection or the court's permission.
No. In 2024 the Supreme Court ruled that legal services by advocates fall outside the consumer protection law. Misconduct complaints go to the State Bar Council.
Yes. Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam protects communications with your advocate, except where they were made for an illegal purpose or reveal a crime or fraud.
A timeline of events, all notices, FIRs, orders and agreements, relevant receipts, bank statements and messages, and your identity proof.
It is the document by which you authorise an advocate to appear and act for you in a case. Read it before signing and ask for a copy.
Not necessarily. You can file and argue a consumer complaint yourself, but an advocate helps with drafting, evidence and larger claims.
Yes. Many advocates consult by phone or video. On Mara Vakil, you describe your matter online and an enrolled advocate calls you back.
Under Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules advocates may not advertise or seek work, and ratings and "best lawyer" labels are not permitted particulars. We show only facts such as enrolment, courts, practice areas and languages.
Usually within working hours on the same or next day, depending on the city and practice area. Mark your request urgent if there is a deadline or arrest.
Yes, you can appear as a party in person in most courts, and some forums such as consumer commissions are designed for it. For contested cases, advice from an advocate on procedure and documents is strongly recommended.
Usually not. Senior advocates mostly argue important matters in High Courts and the Supreme Court, instructed by another advocate. Most district court matters are handled by advocates who are not designated senior.
Only an Advocate-on-Record can file a case in the Supreme Court. Your advocate in the High Court can usually suggest an Advocate-on-Record, or you can approach the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee if you are eligible for legal aid.
No. Mara Vakil is a technology platform that helps you reach enrolled advocates. It does not give legal advice, and it does not charge clients to find or consult advocates.
Write what happened in your own words. You do not need to know whether it is civil or criminal. Your request reaches Bar Council enrolled advocates who handle such matters, and the one who accepts confirms a time for a phone, video or office consultation.
A few of the enrolled advocates on Mara Vakil. You do not have to choose: the form goes to everyone who handles such matters. Or book one advocate directly.
Simple, transparent and free to start.
Your schedule, hearings, tasks, reminders and fees in one place.
Your schedule and cases in one place
Court marriage, name change, gazette notification, newspaper ads, affidavits, agreements, legal notices and more. Book online in two minutes and a Mara Vakil team member calls you to take it forward.
No. Booking is free and no payment is taken on this website. A team member calls you, explains the work and the total cost, and work starts only after you agree.
Documentation, applications and filing are handled by the Mara Vakil team. Work that needs an advocate, such as a petition, legal notice or court appearance, is done by an independent enrolled advocate.
Orders are picked up by our team during working hours, usually the same day. You can track your order online with your order ID.
After the call, the person handling your order tells you how to share copies. Please do not send original documents unless asked.
Yes. Tell the team member handling your order. Since no advance payment is taken at booking, there is nothing to refund at that stage.
No. Mara Vakil is a technology platform. It does not give legal advice or represent anyone in court.
Enter the order ID you received after booking and your mobile number.
Describe your problem and an independent advocate will call you back. It is free for clients.
Create your profile in about five minutes. Our team checks your enrolment before the profile goes live, so clients know every advocate here is genuine.
Keep ready: enrolment number and year, State Bar Council, your practice areas, the courts where you practise, the languages you speak, and a photo or PDF of your Bar Council ID card or Certificate of Enrolment. A professional photo is optional.
Cost: applying, being listed and receiving client requests are free at present. No plan or payment is needed.
Any advocate enrolled with a State Bar Council in India and entitled to practise can apply. You need your enrolment number, the year of enrolment and a photo or PDF of your Bar Council ID card or Certificate of Enrolment.
Yes. Applying, having your profile listed and receiving client requests are free at present. No plan or payment is needed.
Our team checks your enrolment with the State Bar Council records and may call you. Most applications are reviewed within a few working days. You can check the status any time with your application ID and mobile number.
After approval, the Mara Vakil admin gives you a login ID and password. There is no public sign-up, so only checked advocates can log in. Change your password after you first log in.
No. Clients contact you through the platform and your fee is agreed directly between you and the client. Mara Vakil does not take a share of your fees.
Profiles show only the particulars that Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules allows advocates to share, such as name, contact details, enrolment details, qualifications and areas of practice. There are no ratings, rankings, success claims or paid placements.
Yes. Newly enrolled advocates can apply. The year of enrolment is shown on your profile so clients can see your experience honestly.
A free case diary with hearing dates and reminders, membership of the Mara Vakil court group for the court where you practise, the Intern Hub to find interns, and notifications from Mara Vakil on your phone.
Mara Vakil is a technology platform, not a law firm. Listing on Mara Vakil is not an advertisement or solicitation by any advocate. Read the Advocate Listing Policy.
Find internship and junior advocate openings posted by advocates whose enrolment Mara Vakil has checked. Apply free in two minutes. Advocates can post openings from their account.
Join the Mara Vakil group of the court where you practise. Members receive notices from the Mara Vakil team about the platform and court-related updates. Joining is free and needs an approved Mara Vakil advocate profile.
Answers about using Mara Vakil, simple guides to your legal rights, and a quick way to reach our support team. Call us on 98913 43962 or raise a help request below.
Click a topic to read the steps.
Important judgments and legal updates from the Supreme Court, High Courts, consumer authorities and the Bar, explained in simple words, with what each one means for you.
Platform metrics, verification queue, and revenue management
| Name | Bar ID | City | Specialization | Submitted | Action |
|---|
| Case ID | Client | Advocate | Amount | Issue | Action |
|---|
| Advocate | Plan | MRR | Next Billing | Status | Action |
|---|