Terms for Professionals & Experts

1. Introduction

These Terms for Professionals & Experts ("Expert Terms") govern the relationship between GoodAdvisor ("Platform", "we", "us") and the professional service providers, including Chartered Accountants, Lawyers, Company Secretaries and other qualified professionals ("Expert", "Professional", "you") who register and provide services through our platform.

By registering as a Professional on GoodAdvisor, you agree to be bound by these Expert Terms in addition to our general Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

2. Eligibility & Onboarding

To register as a Professional on GoodAdvisor, you must:

• Hold a valid and active professional license or registration with the relevant regulatory body (e.g., ICAI for CAs, Bar Council of India/State Bar Councils for Lawyers, ICSI for Company Secretaries).
• Provide accurate and verifiable personal and professional identification documents, including PAN card, Aadhaar card, professional registration certificate, and bar council enrollment certificate (as applicable).
• Not be debarred, suspended or under disciplinary proceedings by any regulatory or professional body.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Have a valid bank account in India for receiving payouts.

GoodAdvisor reserves the right to verify all submitted documents and credentials and to accept or reject any registration at its sole discretion. Providing false or misleading information will result in immediate termination.

3. Nature of Relationship

You acknowledge and agree that:

• You are an independent professional and not an employee, agent, partner, or joint-venture partner of GoodAdvisor. Nothing in these Expert Terms creates an employer-employee relationship.
• GoodAdvisor acts solely as a marketplace and facilitator connecting clients with professionals.
• You are responsible for your own professional conduct, tax obligations, professional insurance (if applicable) and regulatory compliance.
• You may provide services through other platforms or independently, subject to the non-solicitation clause in these terms.

4. Service Delivery Obligations

As a Professional on GoodAdvisor, you agree to:

• Deliver assigned tasks and services within the stipulated timelines and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Maintain the highest standards of professional quality and ethics as prescribed by your regulatory body.
• Keep clients informed of the progress of their service through the platform's messaging system.
• Promptly escalate any issues, delays or complications to GoodAdvisor and the client.
• Ensure all filings, registrations and submissions are accurate and compliant with applicable laws.
• Maintain your availability status accurately on the platform.
• Complete all assigned checklists and update task statuses in a timely manner.

5. Compensation & Payouts

Your compensation through GoodAdvisor is structured as follows:

• Commission structure: You will receive a commission for each completed task/order as per the commission rate agreed upon during onboarding or as subsequently communicated.
• Payout processing: Payouts are processed upon request, subject to minimum payout thresholds and completion of assigned work.
• TDS deduction: Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) at the applicable rate (currently 10% under Section 194J of the Income Tax Act, 1961) will be deducted from your payouts. A TDS certificate will be issued as per applicable law.
• Bank transfer: Payouts are made via NEFT/IMPS/UPI to the bank account registered on your profile.
• Disputes: Any payout-related disputes must be raised within 30 days of the payout date through the platform's support system.

GoodAdvisor reserves the right to withhold payouts in case of client complaints, quality issues or ongoing investigations until the matter is resolved.

6. Confidentiality & Data Protection

As a Professional handling sensitive client information, you agree to:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all client data, documents and information accessed through the platform.
• Not use client information for any purpose other than providing the assigned services.
• Not share, copy, download or retain client data beyond what is necessary for service delivery.
• Comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and all applicable data protection laws.
• Immediately report any data breach, unauthorized access or security incident to GoodAdvisor.
• Return or securely destroy all client data upon completion of the engagement or upon request.

This confidentiality obligation survives the termination of your relationship with GoodAdvisor.

7. Non-Solicitation

During your engagement with GoodAdvisor and for a period of 12 months thereafter, you agree not to:

• Directly solicit or attempt to solicit clients introduced to you through the GoodAdvisor platform for services outside the platform.
• Share personal contact details with clients for the purpose of circumventing the platform.
• Encourage clients to cancel orders on GoodAdvisor and engage you directly.

Violation of this clause may result in immediate termination, forfeiture of pending payouts and legal action for damages.

8. Liability & Professional Responsibility

You acknowledge and agree that:

• You are solely liable for the professional advice, opinions and work products you deliver through the platform. GoodAdvisor shall not be held responsible for your professional acts or omissions.
• You shall indemnify GoodAdvisor against any claims, damages, losses, costs or expenses arising from your professional negligence, misconduct, errors or omissions.
• You are encouraged to maintain adequate professional indemnity insurance to cover potential claims arising from your professional services.
• Any regulatory action or disciplinary proceedings against you by your professional body must be promptly disclosed to GoodAdvisor.

9. Code of Conduct

As a Professional on GoodAdvisor, you shall:

• Adhere to the code of ethics and professional standards of your respective regulatory body.
• Treat all clients with respect, professionalism and fairness.
• Avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential conflicts to GoodAdvisor.
• Not engage in misleading advertising, false claims or misrepresentation of qualifications.
• Maintain accurate and updated profile information on the platform.
• Respond to client queries and platform communications promptly.

10. Suspension & Termination

GoodAdvisor may suspend or terminate your account under the following circumstances:

• Repeated failure to meet SLAs or deliver quality work.
• Client complaints exceeding acceptable thresholds.
• Violation of these Expert Terms, the Terms of Service, or any platform policies.
• Fraudulent or dishonest conduct.
• Revocation, suspension or expiry of your professional license or registration.
• Non-solicitation or confidentiality breaches.
• Regulatory or legal action against you that may affect your ability to provide professional services.

You may also terminate your engagement with GoodAdvisor by providing 30 days' written notice. All pending tasks must be completed or properly handed over before termination takes effect. Pending payouts for completed work will be released as per the standard payout cycle.

11. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising between you and GoodAdvisor shall first be attempted to be resolved through mutual negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, the dispute shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 of India. The arbitration shall be conducted by a sole arbitrator appointed by mutual consent, and the seat of arbitration shall be in India.

12. Governing Law

These Expert Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Subject to the arbitration clause above, the courts in India shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

13. Changes to These Terms

GoodAdvisor reserves the right to modify these Expert Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to you via email or platform notification at least 15 days before they take effect. Your continued use of the platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

14. Contact Us

For questions about these Expert Terms, please contact us: