What are legal consultancy and legal advisory services?
Legal consultancy involves reviewing a legal problem, explaining applicable law, assessing available remedies and advising on practical next steps. Legal advisory services may include reviewing contracts, drafting notices, evaluating evidence, advising on settlement and preparing for proceedings before a court, tribunal or statutory authority.
Section 2(c) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 defines legal services to include assistance in conducting a case or other legal proceeding before a court, authority or tribunal, as well as advice on any legal matter. Representation and professional legal practice are governed by the Advocates Act, 1961 and applicable rules.
Areas in which legal advice may be required
Civil disputes and property matters
Advice may concern contracts, recovery of money, property ownership, inheritance, partition, injunctions, landlord-tenant disputes and civil litigation. The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 generally regulates civil court procedure, while substantive rights depend on the relevant statute and facts.
Criminal law and criminal procedure
Legal guidance may address complaints, investigation, arrest, bail, trial, appeal and protection of procedural rights. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) came into force on 1 July 2024, subject to notified exceptions and applicable saving or transitional provisions. The earlier IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act may remain relevant to older matters. See the Ministry of Home Affairs official texts.
Family law, marriage, divorce and maintenance
Consultation may cover marriage, divorce, judicial separation, child custody, domestic violence, maintenance and matrimonial property disputes. Applicable provisions may include the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and personal laws. Section 144 of the BNSS addresses maintenance of wives, children and parents; the former Section 125 CrPC remains important in older proceedings and case law.
Consumer protection
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides remedies for eligible consumer disputes involving defects in goods, deficiency in services, unfair trade practices and other covered matters. The appropriate Consumer Commission and procedure depend on the nature and value of the claim and applicable rules. See the National Consumer Helpline.
Taxation and business law
Advice may involve income tax, GST, company incorporation, corporate compliance, commercial agreements and statutory notices. Applicable provisions include the Income-tax Act and relevant Finance Acts, the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, and the Companies Act, 2013, as amended. Official resources include the Income Tax Department, GST Portal and Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Public interest and constitutional matters
Legal advice may also concern constitutional remedies, administrative decisions, public interest litigation and fundamental rights. Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution respectively empower the Supreme Court and High Courts to issue writs within their constitutional jurisdiction.
Who may provide legal representation?
Section 29 of the Advocates Act, 1961 recognises advocates as the class entitled to practise the profession of law. Section 33 generally restricts practice before courts and authorities to enrolled advocates, subject to exceptions provided by law. Section 32 permits a court, authority or person to allow a non-advocate to appear in a particular case. Clients should verify the advocate's enrolment and discuss the scope of engagement, professional fees and possible expenses.
Free legal aid in India
Article 39A of the Constitution directs the State to promote equal justice and free legal aid. Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, eligible categories include women, children, Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe members, persons with disabilities, certain victims of disasters or trafficking, industrial workmen, persons in custody and persons meeting the applicable income criteria. Section 13 addresses entitlement and assessment of the case. Income limits vary by jurisdiction and should be checked with the relevant legal services authority.
Eligible persons may seek assistance from the National Legal Services Authority, State Legal Services Authorities or District Legal Services Authorities. Legal aid may include advice, drafting, representation and certain litigation expenses. Visit NALSA's official legal aid guidance for eligibility and application information.
How to prepare for a legal consultation
- Write a brief chronology of events with important dates.
- Keep copies of agreements, notices, orders, correspondence and other relevant records.
- Identify any pending case, hearing, statutory deadline or urgent risk.
- Explain the outcome you seek, including settlement or litigation where appropriate.
- Ask about jurisdiction, limitation periods, likely procedure, professional fees and next steps.
Contact for legal consultancy and advisory enquiries
LawDadi's original service information describes access to legal experts and advocates for civil, criminal and public interest matters, including guidance concerning proceedings up to the Supreme Court of India. It also describes voluntary free advice for economically disadvantaged and deserving persons. Service availability, any free assistance and the terms of engagement should be confirmed directly.
Email: contact@lawdadi.in
Mobile: 8882845192
When making an enquiry, share a concise description of your issue. Avoid sending highly sensitive original documents until you have confirmed the recipient and a secure method of communication.
Official legal resources
- India Code - central legislation and statutory texts.
- Supreme Court of India - court information and judgments.
- e-Committee, Supreme Court of India - e-Courts initiatives.
- National Legal Services Authority - legal aid and access to justice.
- Ministry of Home Affairs - new criminal laws.
Updated: 11 October 2026. This article provides general legal information, not an opinion on any particular case. Statutory amendments, commencement notifications, limitation periods and judicial decisions should be checked before taking action.