Bar Council Compliance

Instalegl operates in strict compliance with the Advocates Act, 1961 and Bar Council of India Rules. Our platform is classified as a neutral technology intermediary marketplace under IT Act 2000 s.79 — not a law firm or advocate advertising service.

Platform Legal Status & Regulatory Framework

Instalegl is registered as Tramarkify Business LLC (India) and operates in India as an IT Intermediary under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. We are not a law firm and do not practice law. All legal services are rendered by independent advocates enrolled with State Bar Councils under the Advocates Act, 1961.

Primary Legislation

Advocates Act, 1961

Regulatory Body

Bar Council of India (BCI)

Platform Classification

IT Intermediary — IT Act 2000 s.79

Professional Code

BCI Rules, Part VI — Standards of Conduct

Advertising Rule

BCI Rule 36 — compliant (see below)

Disciplinary Authority

22 State Bar Councils & BCI

BCI Rule 36 Compliance — Advertising Prohibition

The Bar Council of India Rules (Rule 36) prohibit advocates from advertising or soliciting clients directly. Instalegl is fully compliant:

Advocates do not pay for placement, ranking, or priority — all listings are merit-based (ratings, experience, availability)
Profiles contain only factual information: name, enrollment number, courts, specialisation, verified ratings
Advocates are prohibited from making promotional claims or soliciting clients through the platform
All marketing is conducted by Instalegl for its own technology platform — not on behalf of individual advocates
Our platform is a neutral legal technology marketplace analogous to a court cause list or legal directory — not advocate advertising under BCI Rule 36

Instalegl's legal interpretation: Our platform facilitates access to advocates — it does not constitute solicitation or advertising by advocates within the meaning of Rule 36 of the BCI Rules, as confirmed by legal opinion obtained from Senior Counsel.

Six-Step Advocate Verification Process

Application

Document Submission

Bar Council ID card (front & back), enrollment certificate, government photo ID, and professional photograph submitted at application.

⏱ Immediate acknowledgement

Document Review

Bar Council ID & Certificate Verification

Cross-reference enrollment number against State Bar Council databases. Check for pending disciplinary proceedings via BCI portal (barcouncilofindia.org).

⏱ 12–24 hours

KYC

Identity Verification (PMLA 2002 Compliant)

KYC via NSDL/UIDAI APIs confirming identity matches enrollment records. Mandatory under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

⏱ 6–12 hours

Background

Disciplinary Record Review

Formal check for pending disciplinary matters under Section 35, Advocates Act 1961. Advocates with active suspension or disbarment are ineligible.

⏱ 24–36 hours

Onboarding

Platform Agreement & Orientation

Digital signing of Advocate Platform Agreement and DPDPA 2023 Data Processing Addendum.

⏱ Within 48 hours of approval

Active

Annual Re-verification & Monitoring

Profile published with Instalegl Verified badge. Annual re-verification mandatory. Any Bar Council adverse action results in immediate platform suspension.

⏱ Ongoing annual cycle

Professional Conduct Standards (BCI Rules Part VI)

Duty to client: Full loyalty, no conflict of interest without disclosure
Duty to court: Not to mislead any court or assist in fraud
Confidentiality: Attorney-client privilege applies under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Transparency: All fees disclosed upfront — no undisclosed charges permitted
No guarantees: Advocates may never guarantee specific legal outcomes
Competence: Advocates must only accept matters within their competence

Grievance & Disciplinary Mechanism

Platform Conduct Complaints

grievance@instalegl.in

Grievance Officer

grievance@instalegl.in

BCI Complaint Portal

barcouncilofindia.org

Response Time

Within 7 business days