Terms of Use

These Terms of Use ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Qbitx Systems, the company that operates Lawzo ("we", "us", "our", or the "Platform"), governing your access to and use of the Lawzo website at lawzo.pk, mobile applications, and all related services.

By creating an account, accessing, or using our services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

1. Definitions

• "Client" means any individual who registers on the Platform to seek legal services, book consultations, or use AI legal research.
• "Lawyer" means any qualified attorney who registers on the Platform to offer legal services, subject to verification and admin approval.
• "User" means any Client, Lawyer, or visitor who accesses or uses the Platform.
• "Services" means all features provided by the Platform, including but not limited to: lawyer search and discovery, consultation booking, video consultations, in-person appointment scheduling, secure messaging, document sharing, AI legal research, and payment processing.
• "Consultation" means a booked session between a Client and a Lawyer, delivered via video call or in-person visit.
• "Lawzo AI" means the AI-powered legal research assistant provided through the Platform, powered by third-party large language model technology.
• "Escrow" means the payment holding mechanism whereby Client funds are held by the Platform until a Consultation is completed.

2. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account or use the Platform.
• Lawyers must hold a valid license issued by a recognized Bar Council of Pakistan and be in good standing.
• By registering, you represent that all information you provide is accurate, current, and complete.
• We reserve the right to refuse registration or suspend accounts that do not meet eligibility requirements.

3. Account Registration & Security

3.1 Registration

You may register using email and password (minimum 8 characters), Google OAuth, or phone number with OTP verification. Email verification is required for email-based registrations.

3.2 Account Security

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials.
• You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
• You must notify us immediately at [email protected] if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.
• We are not liable for any loss arising from unauthorized use of your account where you have failed to protect your credentials.

3.3 One Account Per Person

Each individual may maintain only one Client account and/or one Lawyer account. Creating duplicate or fraudulent accounts is grounds for immediate termination.

4. Services Provided

4.1 Marketplace

Lawzo operates as a marketplace connecting Clients with verified Lawyers. We are not a law firm, do not provide legal advice, and are not a party to the attorney-client relationship formed between Clients and Lawyers.

4.2 Consultation Booking

Clients can book consultations with Lawyers based on their published availability, fees, and consultation modes (Video Call, In-Person, or Both). Each Lawyer sets their own consultation fee (in PKR), slot duration (default 30 minutes), and buffer time between appointments (default 10 minutes).

4.3 Video Consultations

Video consultations are end-to-end encrypted. Lawzo does not monitor, record, or store video call content unless both parties explicitly consent to recording. Recorded sessions, if any, are retained for 90 days.

4.4 Secure Messaging

The Platform provides in-app messaging between matched Clients and Lawyers. Messages are persisted, tied to specific cases, and delivered in real time. Lawzo does not monitor message content but reserves the right to investigate reports of abuse.

4.5 Document Sharing

Users may upload and share documents (PDF, DOCX, JPG, PNG) within the context of a case. Documents are stored securely and are accessible only to the involved Client, Lawyer, and authorized Lawzo administrators. Documents are not publicly accessible.

4.6 Lawyer Search & Discovery

Clients can search and filter Lawyers by practice area (Corporate, Family, Criminal, Immigration, Real Estate, Tax, Civil Rights, M&A, Commercial), city (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad), experience level, consultation fee range, consultation mode, and name.

5. Lawzo AI — Terms of Use

5.1 Nature of AI Service

Lawzo AI is an AI-powered legal research tool that provides informational responses based on Pakistani legal sources including the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the Constitution of Pakistan, and published case law. The AI is powered by third-party technology (Anthropic Claude API).

5.2 Not Legal Advice

5.3 AI Limitations

• AI responses are generated by machine learning models and may contain errors or omissions.
• The AI may not reflect the most recent amendments to legislation or the latest case law.
• The AI cannot assess the specific facts of your situation with the judgment of a trained lawyer.
• Lawzo is not liable for any decisions, actions, or outcomes resulting from reliance on AI-generated content.

5.4 AI Data Usage

Questions and facts you submit to Lawzo AI are processed by our third-party AI provider. Your AI interactions are not used to train AI models. See our Privacy Policy for details on AI data handling.

6. Lawyer Verification & Obligations

6.1 Verification Process

Lawyers must submit the following for admin review before their profile becomes visible:

• Bar Council/bar number (required, cannot be changed after submission)
• Professional bio, qualifications, and experience level
• At least one practice area
• Consultation fee, mode, and city
• Profile photo (JPG/PNG, max 2 MB), degree certificate, and Bar Council certificate

Profiles are reviewed by Lawzo administrators. Approved profiles are made visible to Clients. Rejected profiles receive a reason for rejection and may resubmit. Bar Council number, degree document, and Bar Council certificate cannot be modified after initial submission.

6.2 Lawyer Obligations

• Maintain a valid, active Bar Council license throughout your use of the Platform.
• Provide services with the professional care, skill, and diligence expected of a qualified lawyer in Pakistan.
• Honour booked consultations and arrive on time for scheduled appointments.
• Maintain confidentiality of all client information in accordance with professional ethics and applicable law.
• Set accurate and fair consultation fees.
• Not solicit clients to transact outside the Platform to circumvent fees.
• Comply with all applicable laws, Bar Council rules, and professional conduct standards.

6.3 Independent Contractors

Lawyers on Lawzo are independent professionals, not employees, agents, or partners of Lawzo. Lawzo does not control, direct, or supervise the legal advice provided by Lawyers. Each Lawyer is solely responsible for the quality, accuracy, and legality of their services.

7. Client Obligations

• Provide accurate and truthful information when describing your legal issue or submitting documents.
• Attend booked consultations on time or cancel within the permitted cancellation window.
• Treat Lawyers and other Users with respect and professionalism.
• Not misuse the Platform to submit frivolous, abusive, or fraudulent cases.
• Not attempt to contact Lawyers outside the Platform to avoid service fees.
• Understand that Lawzo AI is not a substitute for professional legal counsel.

8. Payments, Fees & Escrow

8.1 Consultation Fees

Each Lawyer sets their own consultation fee in Pakistani Rupees (PKR). The fee displayed on the Lawyer's profile is the total amount the Client will be charged. Lawzo deducts a platform service fee (as a percentage of each transaction) before disbursing earnings to the Lawyer.

8.2 Escrow Protection

All Client payments are held in escrow by the Platform. Funds are not released to the Lawyer until the Consultation is marked as completed. This protects both parties:

• For Clients: Your money is protected if the Lawyer fails to deliver the Consultation.
• For Lawyers: Payment is guaranteed once the Consultation is successfully completed.

8.3 Payment Processing

Payments are processed through PayFast & EasyPaisa. Lawzo does not store full credit/debit card numbers. All payment data is handled in accordance with PCI DSS Level 1 standards. Supported payment methods include credit cards, debit cards, and other methods supported by PayFast & EasyPaisa in Pakistan.

8.4 Lawyer Payouts

Earnings are transferred to the Lawyer's registered bank account within 24 hours of Consultation completion, less the Lawzo platform fee. Lawyers are responsible for reporting and paying all applicable taxes on their earnings.

8.5 Currency

All fees, payments, and payouts are denominated in Pakistani Rupees (PKR).

9. Cancellation & Refund Policy

9.1 Client Cancellations

• 24+ hours before appointment: Full refund, no questions asked.
• Less than 2 hours before appointment: No refund. The full consultation fee is released to the Lawyer.
• No-show: If the Client fails to join, the full fee is released to the Lawyer after a 15-minute waiting period.

9.2 Lawyer Cancellations

• If a Lawyer cancels a confirmed Consultation, the Client receives a full refund.
• Repeated cancellations by a Lawyer may result in profile suspension or removal from the Platform.

9.3 Refund Processing

Refunds are processed through PayFast & EasyPaisa and returned to the original payment method. Refund processing may take 5-10 business days depending on the Client's bank.

9.4 Disputes

If a Client is dissatisfied with a Consultation, they may raise a dispute within 48 hours of the Consultation. Lawzo will review the dispute and may issue a full or partial refund at its sole discretion. Both parties will be given an opportunity to provide their account.

10. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Provide false, misleading, or fraudulent information during registration or at any time.
• Impersonate another person or misrepresent your professional credentials.
• Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of Pakistani law.
• Harass, abuse, threaten, or discriminate against any User.
• Solicit or conduct transactions outside the Platform to circumvent fees.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to other Users' accounts, data, or Platform systems.
• Upload malicious files, viruses, or harmful code.
• Scrape, crawl, or systematically extract data from the Platform without written permission.
• Use Lawzo AI to generate content for illegal activities or to facilitate harm.
• Create multiple accounts to manipulate ratings, reviews, or Platform features.
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to derive the source code of any Platform technology.
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the Platform or impose unreasonable load on our infrastructure.

11. Intellectual Property

11.1 Platform IP

The Platform, including its design, code, features, branding, logos, and AI technology, is the intellectual property of Lawzo. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works based on any part of the Platform without prior written consent.

11.2 User Content

You retain ownership of content you submit (messages, documents, profile information). By submitting content, you grant Lawzo a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, display, and transmit that content solely for the purpose of operating the Platform and delivering the Services. This license ends when you delete the content or your account.

11.3 AI-Generated Content

Responses generated by Lawzo AI are provided for your personal, non-commercial use. AI responses may not be republished, resold, or presented as professional legal advice.

12. Limitation of Liability

12.1 Platform Role

Lawzo is a marketplace and technology platform. We facilitate connections between Clients and Lawyers but do not provide legal services ourselves. We are not responsible for:

• The quality, accuracy, or outcome of legal advice provided by Lawyers.
• The conduct, competence, or professional liability of any Lawyer on the Platform.
• Any loss or damage arising from reliance on Lawzo AI responses.
• Disputes between Clients and Lawyers beyond our stated dispute resolution process.

12.2 Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

12.3 Liability Cap

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Lawzo's total aggregate liability to you for any claims arising from or relating to these Terms or the Services shall not exceed the total amount you have paid to Lawzo in the 12 months preceding the claim.

12.4 Exclusions

Lawzo shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, business opportunities, or legal outcomes, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Lawzo, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform or violation of these Terms.
• Your violation of any applicable law or third-party rights.
• Content you submit or share through the Platform.
• Your professional conduct as a Lawyer (for Lawyer accounts).
• Any dispute between you and another User.

14. Account Suspension & Termination

14.1 By Lawzo

We may suspend or terminate your account, without prior notice, if you:

• Violate these Terms or engage in prohibited conduct.
• Provide false credentials or fraudulent documents (Lawyers).
• Receive repeated complaints from other Users.
• Fail to maintain a valid Bar Council license (Lawyers).
• Engage in activity that threatens Platform security or integrity.

Upon suspension, pending escrow payments will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Upon termination, you will lose access to all Platform features, and your data will be handled per our Privacy Policy.

14.2 By User

You may delete your account at any time by contacting [email protected]. Account deletion will be processed within 30 days. Outstanding bookings must be completed or cancelled before account deletion. Pending payouts will be processed to the Lawyer's registered bank account before closure.

14.3 Appeal

If your account has been suspended or terminated, you may appeal by emailing [email protected] with supporting documentation. We will review your appeal within 15 business days.

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Between Users

Disputes between Clients and Lawyers (e.g., service quality, refund eligibility) should first be raised through our Platform's dispute resolution system within 48 hours of the Consultation. Lawzo will review the matter and issue a decision within 10 business days.

15.2 Against Lawzo

Any dispute arising from these Terms shall be governed by the laws of Pakistan. The parties agree to first attempt resolution through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Lahore, Pakistan.

15.3 No Class Actions

You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted on an individual basis, not as a class action or representative proceeding.

16. Attorney-Client Relationship

• The attorney-client relationship exists solely between the Client and the Lawyer. Lawzo is not a party to this relationship.
• Lawzo does not vet, endorse, or guarantee the legal advice provided by any Lawyer.
• Communications between Clients and Lawyers via the Platform may be protected by attorney-client privilege. Lawzo will not disclose such communications except when compelled by court order.
• Interactions with Lawzo AI do not create an attorney-client relationship. AI responses are informational only.

17. Tax Responsibilities

• Lawyers: You are solely responsible for reporting and paying all applicable income taxes, sales taxes, and professional fees on your earnings from the Platform.
• Clients: Consultation fees may be subject to applicable taxes. The total fee displayed at booking time is inclusive of the consultation cost.
• Lawzo may issue tax documentation or earnings statements as required by Pakistani tax authorities.

18. Third-Party Services

The Platform integrates with third-party services including PayFast & EasyPaisa (payments), OpenAI (AI), and Google (authentication). Your use of these services is subject to their respective terms:

• PayFast & EasyPaisa: payfast.co.za/help/terms
• OpenAI: openai.com/terms
• Google: policies.google.com/terms

Lawzo is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or conduct of third-party services.

19. Force Majeure

Lawzo shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, government actions, internet outages, cyberattacks, pandemics, or public utility failures.

20. Modifications to Terms

• We may revise these Terms at any time by posting the updated version on the Platform.
• For material changes, we will notify registered Users via email at least 15 days before the changes take effect.
• Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
• If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Platform and delete your account.

21. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

22. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Lawzo regarding the use of the Platform. They supersede all prior agreements, representations, and understandings.

23. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Any legal proceedings arising from these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Lahore, Pakistan.

24. Contact

For questions about these Terms: