Client messaging and calls for law firms and advocates
Keep clients informed about hearings, documents and fees, and stop the chamber phone from taking over the clerk's day.
Which messaging channels should a law firm or advocate use?
Law firms and advocates mostly need WhatsApp for hearing dates, document requests and fee instalments, SMS for short hearing reminders to clients without WhatsApp, AI Voice to remind clients the day before a hearing and take new matter details, and an IVR on the chamber number. Promotional campaigns are out, as Bar Council rules prohibit advocates from soliciting work.
Updated
Key facts: messaging and calls for law firms and advocates
- Start with
- WhatsApp Business API (Hearings and documents)
- Channel mix
- WhatsApp Business API, Bulk SMS, AI Voice, IVR
- One account
- Shared contacts, delivery reports and webhooks across every channel
- Integration
- REST API and webhooks into any CRM or app that can call an API. API and webhooks
- Pricing model
- Prepaid credits quoted by volume, GST extra; WhatsApp at Meta's rate by category plus a platform fee. How pricing works
Which channels work best for law firms and advocates?
Bar Council of India rules bar advocates from advertising or soliciting work, so this mix covers communication with existing clients only.
How do the channels work together for law firms and advocates?
- After each hearingNext date on WhatsAppThe clerk updates the next date and the client gets it on WhatsApp with what to bring.
- Week beforeDocument requestA checklist of papers needed for the hearing, which the client can send back as photos or PDFs.
- Day beforeAI Voice reminderA call confirms the client will attend, followed by an SMS with the court and time.
- Fee instalment duePolite reminderA WhatsApp note with the amount and payment link, and a callback if the client wants to discuss it.
What does each channel do for law firms and advocates?
- Next date fixed
- Appearance reminder
- Document and signature request
- Hearing date reminders
- Post-hearing update
- Document collection
- Hearing date reminders
- Client meeting confirmation
- Fee invoice
- Matter-type menu
- Urgent matter option
- Next-date and case status desk
- Neutral hearing date reminder
- Document request
- Court vacation and office closure
- Next hearing date by SMS
- Client callback request
- Legal aid camp registration
Questions about messaging for law firms and advocates
Can advocates send promotional SMS or WhatsApp messages?
Not to seek new clients. Bar Council of India rules prohibit advocates from soliciting work or advertising, so bulk promotional messages and cold calls are not appropriate. Messages to existing clients about their own matters, hearings, documents and fees are routine communication.
Is WhatsApp confidential enough for client communication?
It is widely used, but treat it as a channel for updates and documents rather than detailed legal advice. The Business API keeps conversations on the firm's number instead of a junior's personal phone, and you can limit inbox access to the team handling each matter.
Will the AI phone assistant give legal advice?
No. It reminds clients of hearings, asks for documents, takes new matter details and books callbacks. Any question about the merits of a case, strategy or what to say in court is passed to the advocate or associate.
Can hearing reminders be sent automatically?
Yes. If your case management software or diary can call an API or receive a webhook, entering a new next date triggers the WhatsApp and SMS reminders and schedules the day-before call. Smaller chambers can keep matters in Google Sheets and use Zapier.
Do law firms need DLT registration to send SMS?
Yes. A firm or individual advocate sending SMS registers as a principal entity on a DLT platform, with a header and approved templates. Hearing and fee reminders to clients are service messages, which is the only kind of SMS most advocates should send.
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