Lawyer Terms of Use (B2B)

These terms govern the use of the Advocato platform by licensed lawyers ("Lawyer") in relation to Advocato GmbH (i. Gr.) ("Advocato").

1. Role and admission

• Advocato operates a pure brokerage platform. The Lawyer acts as an independent professional; no employment or partnership relationship is established.
• The Lawyer warrants to be admitted as a lawyer in at least one EU/EEA state and to maintain valid professional indemnity insurance meeting the requirements of their bar association.

2. Verification

Prior to activation, Advocato verifies bar admission card, admission to the bar, proof of indemnity insurance and identity. Advocato may request renewed evidence at any time. Without valid evidence, the account will be suspended.

3. Mandate relationship

The mandate agreement is formed exclusively between the client and the Lawyer. The Lawyer is solely responsible for conflict-of-interest checks, disclosure, advice, file-keeping and compliance with professional rules (BRAO, BORA, RVG or the applicable national professional law).

4. Availability and response times

• The online status ("available") signals readiness to accept SOS requests. In the event of repeated non-acceptance of accepted tickets, Advocato reserves the right to temporarily downrank the Lawyer in matching.
• Emergency consultations must be commenced within 90 seconds of acceptance.

5. Remuneration and payout

• Advocato collects the fee from the client and pays out the Lawyer's share less the platform fee. Current rates are stated in the Lawyer dashboard.
• Payouts are made monthly via Stripe Connect to the Lawyer's registered IBAN account.
• The Lawyer is solely responsible for the VAT treatment and invoicing of their services vis-à-vis the client (reverse charge/OSS as applicable on a case-by-case basis).

6. Ratings

Clients may leave a rating after completion of a ticket. Advocato moderates ratings that are clearly unlawful or abusive; there is no entitlement to have factual criticism removed.

7. Case handoff

Only with the client's express consent will Advocato provide the Lawyer with a case summary (PDF) for taking over the mandate. Further handling of the mandate takes place outside the platform.

8. Confidentiality and data protection

The Lawyer undertakes to comply with professional confidentiality obligations and the GDPR. For processing client data outside the platform, the Lawyer is an independent controller within the meaning of the GDPR.

9. Suspension and termination

• Advocato may temporarily suspend the account if there is suspicion of violations of professional law, these Terms, or statutory provisions.
• Either party may terminate the usage relationship with ordinary notice of 30 days. The right to termination for cause remains unaffected.

10. Liability between the parties

Advocato is liable to the Lawyer only for intent and gross negligence. For advisory errors, only the Lawyer is liable within the scope of their professional indemnity insurance; the Lawyer shall indemnify Advocato against third-party claims to that extent.

11. Changes

Changes to these terms will be communicated in text form at least 4 weeks before they take effect. If the Lawyer does not object within this period, the changes are deemed accepted.

12. Law and jurisdiction

German law applies. Exclusive place of jurisdiction is Berlin.