Counsel Platform Agreement

1. Parties

This Counsel Platform Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into between Calix Technologies Ltd (“Docket”, “Platform”, “we”) and the legal practitioner (“Counsel”, “you”) who registers a Counsel account on the Docket platform.

This Agreement supplements the general Terms of Service. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Terms of Service, this Agreement shall prevail for matters specific to Counsel.

2. Relationship

You are an independent professional, not an employee, agent, or partner of Calix Technologies. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment, agency, or partnership relationship. You maintain full autonomy over your professional practice, including the matters you accept, the advice you give, and the professional judgments you make.

Docket is a technology platform that facilitates connections between Clients and Counsel. We do not direct, control, or supervise the legal services you provide. Your obligations to your Clients are governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners in Nigeria and applicable law.

3. Eligibility

To register as Counsel on Docket, you must:

• Be called to the Nigerian Bar and hold a valid practising certificate
• Be a member in good standing of the Nigerian Bar Association
• Not be currently subject to any disciplinary proceedings or sanctions by the NBA, LPDC, or any court
• Provide accurate bar number and credential information for verification
• Maintain professional indemnity insurance as recommended by the NBA

You must promptly notify us of any changes to your eligibility status, including suspension, disbarment, or disciplinary proceedings.

4. Verification Tiers

Docket operates a tiered verification system that reflects the level of credential checks completed:

• New: Account created, bar number provided, pending initial verification
• Basic: Bar number verified against NBA records, identity confirmed
• Enhanced: Basic verification plus references checked, practice history reviewed
• Premium: Enhanced verification plus on-site office verification, background check completed

Verification tiers are displayed on your profile and visible to Clients. Higher tiers may increase Client confidence but do not constitute an endorsement of quality by Docket.

5. Fee Structure

5.1 Quoting Fees

You set your own fees for each engagement. Your quoted fee should reflect the complexity of the matter, your experience, and prevailing market rates. You must quote within the hourly rate range specified in your profile, unless you update your profile range first.

5.2 Technology Service Fee

A Technology Service Fee (TSF) of 15% is added on top of your quoted fee and charged to the Client. The TSF is Docket's revenue for providing the technology platform, escrow services, dispute resolution infrastructure, and marketing that generates Client demand. The TSF is not deducted from your quoted fee — you receive your full quoted amount upon successful completion.

Example: You quote ₦100,000 → Client pays ₦115,000 → You receive ₦100,000 upon completion → Docket retains ₦15,000 (TSF).

5.3 NBA Rule 10 Compliance

The TSF is structured as a technology service fee for platform usage, not as a referral fee or fee-sharing arrangement. This structure is designed to comply with Rule 10 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners in Nigeria, which prohibits fee-sharing with non-lawyers. You acknowledge that you have independently assessed this structure and are satisfied with its compliance.

6. Professional Standards

While using the Platform, you agree to:

• Comply with all applicable rules of professional conduct, including NBA Rules 10, 17, and 39
• Provide competent and diligent representation within your areas of expertise
• Respond to Client communications within 48 hours on business days
• Keep Clients informed of material developments in their matters
• Declare any conflict of interest before accepting an engagement
• Maintain the confidentiality of Client information in accordance with legal professional privilege
• Not make false or misleading claims in your profile or communications
• Complete accepted engagements in a timely manner consistent with agreed milestones

7. Escrow and Payment

Client payments are held in escrow. You will receive payment upon: (a) Client confirmation that the engagement is satisfactorily completed; or (b) automatic release 7 days after you mark the final milestone as complete, provided the Client does not initiate a dispute; or (c) resolution of any dispute in your favour.

Payments are processed to the bank account you provide in your profile settings. You are responsible for all applicable taxes on your earnings, including income tax and VAT (if applicable).

8. Non-Circumvention

You agree not to solicit Clients first encountered through Docket to transact directly outside the Platform for a period of 12 months after the last engagement. This restriction applies to the specific Client-Counsel relationship, not to your general practice. If a Client independently contacts you outside Docket for a new matter, you are not required to redirect them to the Platform, but you must not actively encourage circumvention.

9. Reviews and Ratings

Clients may leave reviews and ratings after completed engagements. Reviews are moderated for abuse but not for content accuracy. You may respond to reviews publicly. Docket does not remove negative reviews unless they contain defamatory content, personal attacks, or violate our community guidelines. Your aggregate rating is displayed prominently on your profile.

10. Suspension and Termination

Docket may suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Provide false verification information
• Fail to maintain NBA membership or practising certificate
• Receive multiple unresolved complaints or consistently low ratings
• Repeatedly fail to respond to Client communications
• Engage in circumvention of Platform fees
• Violate these terms or the Rules of Professional Conduct

Upon termination, pending matters will be handled to protect Client interests. Escrow funds for incomplete matters will be addressed through the dispute resolution process.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Calix Technologies from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from: (a) the legal services you provide to Clients; (b) your breach of professional conduct rules; (c) any misrepresentation in your profile or credentials; (d) your violation of this Agreement.

12. Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Lagos State, Nigeria.

13. Contact

For questions about this Agreement: [email protected]

Calix Technologies Ltd
Lagos, Nigeria