These General Payment Terms shall apply to all consultations, legal opinions, drafting assignments, appearances, advisory work, retainers, and dispute mandates accepted by Dubey Law Associates LLP, unless otherwise agreed in writing in a matter-specific engagement letter.

The Firm may charge fees on a consultation basis, fixed-fee basis, stage-wise basis, appearance-wise basis, hourly basis, monthly retainer basis, or on any other structure expressly agreed with the Client in writing.

The scope of services covered by the agreed fee shall be identified in the engagement letter, proposal, email confirmation, or invoice, and any work outside the agreed scope shall be billed separately only after written confirmation of the revised scope and fees.

The Firm may require an advance fee, retainer, or deposit before commencement of work, before filing or appearance, or before entering the next phase of the matter.

Any amount received from the Client shall be appropriated toward fees and/or expenses only in accordance with the agreed terms, and the Firm shall maintain proper accounts showing amounts received, expenses incurred, and deductions made toward fees with relevant particulars.

Amounts collected specifically toward expenses or disbursements shall not be diverted toward fees without the Client’s written consent, except as otherwise permitted after conclusion of the matter and settlement of dues in accordance with applicable professional rules.

Invoices may be issued on signing, monthly, milestone-wise, stage-wise, appearance-wise, or upon delivery of a particular work product, and each invoice shall be payable within 7 days from the invoice date unless a different period is expressly stated in writing.

Professional fees are exclusive of court fees, filing fees, stamp duty, registration charges, notarization, government levies, process fees, travel, accommodation, courier, photocopying, printing, translation, inspection charges, expert or consultant fees, and other out-of-pocket disbursements, unless expressly stated otherwise in writing.

Taxes, duties, and statutory levies, if applicable, shall be charged extra and shall be payable by the Client in addition to professional fees and disbursements.

Payments shall be made by bank transfer, cheque, UPI, demand draft, or any other mode notified by the Firm, and the Client shall mention the matter name and invoice number while making payment.

Where the Firm expressly approves payment in installments, the down payment, installment amounts, due dates, late charges if any, and consequences of default shall be recorded in writing, failing which the full billed amount shall remain payable as originally invoiced.

The Firm does not charge, stipulate for, or accept fees contingent upon the success or outcome of litigation, arbitration, prosecution, settlement, or any other proceeding.

If any invoice remains unpaid beyond the due date, the Firm may suspend further work, decline to undertake additional filings or appearances, refuse to begin the next phase of work, and/or call for fresh advance payment before continuing, subject to applicable law and professional obligations.

Any change in scope, urgency, complexity, transaction size, number of hearings, number of drafts, additional parties, additional forums, or additional documentation may result in revised fees, which shall be communicated and confirmed in writing.

The Client shall remain liable for fees and disbursements incurred up to the date of termination, withdrawal, substitution of counsel, or closure of the matter.

Any unutilized balance remaining from funds provided toward expenses or retainer, after adjustment of settled fees and actually incurred expenses, shall be carried forward to another invoice or refunded to the Client, as applicable.

The Firm shall intimate the Client, as early as reasonably possible, regarding any amount received on behalf of the Client in the matter.

A statement of account showing receipts, expenses, and fee adjustments may be provided to the Client upon request, subject to applicable copying or administrative charges.

In the event of inconsistency between these General Payment Terms and a matter-specific engagement letter, proposal, or fee note, the matter-specific document shall prevail to the extent of such inconsistency.

By instructing the Firm and/or making payment against an invoice, proposal, or engagement letter, the Client shall be deemed to have accepted these General Payment Terms.