Key takeaway
A first consultation is most useful when the lawyer has your documents and a short timeline in advance, and you come with clear questions about options, risks, time, cost and what you must do personally. Write down the advice and agree the next step before the call ends.
Before the consultation
- ☐ Write a one-page summary: who is involved, what happened, key dates, what you want.
- ☐ Prepare a dated timeline.
- ☐ Collect key documents as clear PDFs, named sensibly (e.g. “2019-05-12 Sale deed.pdf”).
- ☐ List any notices, court papers or deadlines, with dates received.
- ☐ Note the state and district where the property, people or case is located.
- ☐ Check the time zone and the platform for the call.
Questions to ask
- What are my options, and what do you recommend?
- What are the main risks and the strengths and weaknesses of my position?
- Are there deadlines or limitation periods?
- What can be done without me travelling? When will I need to appear?
- Which documents do I need to sign abroad, and how?
- How long is this likely to take?
- What will it cost — fees per stage, court fees, other expenses?
- Who will handle the work day to day, and how will you update me?
Check the lawyer
Ask for the lawyer’s enrolment details with the State Bar Council and their experience in the relevant court. See choosing and checking a lawyer in India from abroad.
Confidentiality and conflict
Communications with your advocate for the purpose of legal advice are protected. Make sure the lawyer is not acting for the other side, and avoid sharing documents through relatives who are involved in the dispute.
After the call
- ☐ Summarise the advice in an email to the lawyer and ask them to confirm.
- ☐ Agree a written fee arrangement and scope.
- ☐ Diary the next steps and deadlines.
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Related guides
- Handling a court case in India while living abroad
- Choosing and checking a lawyer from abroad
- All NRI legal guides
References
- Advocates Act, 1961 — India Code
- Bar Council of India Rules on professional standards
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (professional communications)
Last reviewed: November 2026.
The information provided is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Applicable laws and procedures may vary depending on the facts, jurisdiction, and circumstances of each matter. Consult a qualified legal professional before taking action.
