Shipping & Delivery Policy

1. Overview

OpenVakil offers multi-channel dispatch of legal notices to ensure your notice reaches the intended recipient through the most effective and legally recognized channels. This Shipping and Delivery Policy ("Policy") describes the dispatch methods available, delivery timelines, tracking capabilities, and our procedures for handling delivery issues. Since our service involves both digital delivery (Email and WhatsApp) and physical delivery (Registered Post via India Post), this Policy covers all applicable delivery channels.

By using our Platform and selecting a service plan, you agree to the terms outlined in this Policy. The dispatch methods available to you depend on the service tier you have selected and the information provided during the notice creation process.

2. Dispatch Methods

OpenVakil offers the following dispatch channels for legal notice delivery:

2.1 Registered Post (India Post)

Registered Post is the most widely accepted method for serving legal notices in India. A physical copy of your legal notice is printed on professional letterhead, placed in an envelope, and dispatched via India Post's Registered Post service with acknowledgment due (AD). This method provides a postal receipt and tracking number as proof of dispatch, and the acknowledgment card serves as evidence of delivery, which is admissible in court.

2.2 Email Delivery

A digital copy of your legal notice is sent to the recipient's email address as a PDF attachment. Email delivery provides a fast and cost-effective supplementary channel. While email alone may not be sufficient as legal service in all jurisdictions, it serves as valuable additional evidence that the recipient was informed of the notice.

2.3 WhatsApp Delivery

A digital copy of your legal notice is sent to the recipient's WhatsApp number. WhatsApp delivery provides instant delivery with read receipt capabilities, allowing you to confirm whether the recipient has received and read the notice. Similar to email, WhatsApp delivery is a supplementary channel that strengthens your proof of communication.

3. Dispatch Timelines

The following timelines apply from the moment you approve the final version of your notice and the order moves to the "Dispatching" stage:

Note: Business days are Monday through Saturday, excluding national holidays and India Post holidays. Orders approved after 5:00 PM IST may be processed on the next business day.

4. Registered Post Dispatch Details

For Registered Post dispatch, the following process is followed:

1. Printing: Your approved legal notice is printed on professional quality paper in a standard legal format.
2. Packaging: The notice is placed in a properly sealed envelope addressed to the recipient at the address you provided during the notice creation process.
3. Posting: The sealed envelope is submitted at an India Post office for Registered Post dispatch with Acknowledgment Due (AD).
4. Receipt: A postal receipt with a unique tracking number is obtained from India Post and recorded in your order.
5. Tracking Update: The tracking number is updated in your dashboard so you can monitor the delivery status.

A copy of the postal receipt may be provided to you via email or made available through your dashboard as proof of dispatch.

5. Tracking Your Notice

You can track the status of your notice dispatch through multiple channels:

• Dashboard: Log in to your OpenVakil account and navigate to your order details page. The dispatch status for each channel (Registered Post, Email, WhatsApp) is displayed in real time.
• India Post Tracking: For Registered Post dispatches, you can use the tracking number provided in your dashboard to track delivery status directly on the India Post website (www.indiapost.gov.in).
• Email Status: Your dashboard shows whether the email was sent, delivered, or opened by the recipient (where tracking is available).
• WhatsApp Status: Your dashboard shows whether the WhatsApp message was sent, delivered, and read by the recipient.

6. Service Area

OpenVakil provides legal notice dispatch services across all of India. Our Registered Post dispatch covers every pin code serviceable by India Post, which includes all states and union territories of India. Email and WhatsApp dispatch services are available for recipients with valid email addresses and Indian mobile numbers, respectively.

At this time, we do not offer international dispatch services. If the recipient of your legal notice is located outside India, we recommend consulting with a legal professional about the appropriate method of service for cross-border legal communications.

7. Undeliverable Notices

In the event that a notice dispatched via Registered Post is returned as undeliverable, the following procedures apply:

• Notification: We will notify you via email and update your dashboard if the Registered Post is returned as undelivered.
• Common Reasons: Notices may be returned for reasons including incorrect or incomplete address, recipient not available at the address, recipient refused to accept delivery, address not found, or post office unable to deliver.
• Proof of Attempt: Even if the notice is returned undelivered, the postal receipt and the returned envelope serve as proof that an attempt to deliver the notice was made, which may be relevant in legal proceedings.
• Re-dispatch: If the notice was returned due to an incorrect address, you may request a re-dispatch to a corrected address. Re-dispatch may be subject to additional charges covering the cost of postage.

8. Email and WhatsApp Delivery Issues

For digital dispatch channels, the following issues may arise:

• Email Bounce: If the recipient's email address is invalid or the email bounces, we will notify you and update the dispatch status in your dashboard. In such cases, you may provide an updated email address for re-delivery at no additional cost.
• WhatsApp Undelivered: If the WhatsApp message cannot be delivered (for example, if the recipient's number is not on WhatsApp or the number is invalid), we will notify you and update the status accordingly. You may provide an updated phone number for re-delivery at no additional cost.
• Spam Filters: We cannot guarantee that email notices will not be filtered into the recipient's spam or junk folder. We take reasonable measures to ensure deliverability, but the recipient's email provider settings are beyond our control.

9. Delays and Exceptions

While we make every effort to meet the dispatch and delivery timelines stated above, delays may occur due to circumstances beyond our control, including:

• India Post service disruptions, strikes, or natural disasters affecting postal services.
• National holidays or regional festivals during which postal services are suspended.
• Technical issues with email delivery infrastructure or WhatsApp Business API.
• Force majeure events such as pandemics, government orders, or civil unrest.
• Remote or hard-to-reach pin codes where India Post delivery timelines are longer than average.

In the event of significant delays, we will proactively notify you via email and provide updated timelines where possible. OpenVakil shall not be liable for delivery delays caused by third-party service providers or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

10. Sender Copy

For all orders, a digital copy (PDF) of the final legal notice is made available for download through your OpenVakil dashboard. This serves as your sender's copy and can be used for your own records. For Premium tier orders, an additional physical copy may be dispatched to your address via Registered Post, depending on the plan features at the time of order.

11. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Shipping and Delivery Policy at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on the Platform. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page will be revised accordingly. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically for any updates.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions about the dispatch or delivery of your legal notice, or if you need assistance with tracking, please contact us: