Frequently Asked Questions

Pa-Abogado is the Philippines' first on-demand mobile legal app — a digital platform that connects Filipinos with licensed Philippine lawyers (Abogados) for accessible, affordable, and vetted legal services. Through a single mobile app available on iOS and Android, users can book one-on-one legal consultations, chat with a licensed Abogado, have documents notarized remotely, and prepare legal documents with guided Abogado review — all from their phone, anywhere in the Philippines or abroad.

The Pa-Abogado app offers four integrated services: (1) PaKonsulta — one-on-one confidential legal consultations with a licensed Abogado; (2) PaChat — chat-based, asynchronous legal consultations through secure messaging; (3) PaNotaryo — remote electronic notarization by an Abogado accredited as Electronic Notary Public; and (4) PaDokumento — guided drafting, preparation, and Abogado review of legal documents such as affidavits, contracts, and deeds. Together, these four services form one comprehensive digital legal ecosystem.

Pa-Abogado is designed for every Filipino who needs accessible legal assistance — whether in the Philippines or working and living abroad. Clients must be of legal age and able to enter into a service agreement. Lawyers who wish to offer their services through the platform must be duly licensed members of the Philippine Bar in good standing, verified through the Supreme Court of the Philippines, before joining our network.

Yes. Because Pa-Abogado is a mobile app, its services are available to Filipinos anywhere in the country and even overseas, as long as you have an internet connection. Our network of licensed Abogados covers a wide range of practice areas and jurisdictions within Philippine law, so you can find the right legal professional for your concern regardless of where you are located.

No. Creating a Pa-Abogado account is free. There are no registration fees or subscription fees for Clients. You only pay when you choose to avail of a specific service — such as a PaKonsulta consultation, a PaChat session, a PaNotaryo notarization, or a PaDokumento document preparation — and all fees are clearly displayed before you confirm any transaction.

The Pa-Abogado mobile app will be available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You can visit our Download App page for the latest availability and download links, or scan the QR codes provided on the page using your phone's camera.

Pa-Abogado is owned and operated by Digital Oath Solutions Philippines Inc. (DOSPI), a Philippine legal-technology company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). DOSPI is headquartered at 9A Jenkinsen Tower, 80 Timog Avenue, Sacred Heart, Quezon City 1103. The company was founded with a mission to bridge law and technology for every Filipino — making legal services more accessible, transparent, and affordable through digital innovation. Pa-Abogado is DOSPI's flagship platform, bringing together PaKonsulta, PaChat, PaNotaryo, and PaDokumento under one mobile legal ecosystem.

No. Pa-Abogado is not a law firm and does not practice law or provide legal advice itself. It is a digital marketplace operated by Digital Oath Solutions Philippines Inc. that connects Clients with independent, licensed Philippine Abogados. All legal services rendered through the platform are provided solely by the independent Abogados you engage, under their own professional judgment and responsibility.

An Abogado is a Filipino term used in referring to a lawyer or attorney. In the Philippines, an Abogado is a professional who has completed a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree, passed the Philippine Bar Examination administered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and taken the Lawyer’s Oath before being admitted as a member of the Philippine Bar and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). Only a duly licensed lawyer or Abogado in good standing is authorized to practice law, provide legal advice, and represent clients in Philippine courts. On the Pa-Abogado platform, every Abogado is verified as a licensed member of the Philippine Bar before joining our network.

Yes. Every Abogado on the Pa-Abogado platform is a duly licensed member of the Philippine Bar, verified through the Supreme Court of the Philippines. We conduct thorough background checks and credential verification before any attorney joins our network. This ensures that you receive legal advice and professional service from qualified professionals who adhere to the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

Pa-Abogado connects you with licensed Philippine lawyers for on-demand legal consultations. Simply download the Pa-Abogado mobile app, create an account, and browse through our directory of verified attorneys. You can schedule a consultation at a time that works for you, communicate securely through the app, and receive professional legal advice without the need to visit a law office in person. Our platform ensures that every Abogado in our network is properly credentialed and in good standing with the Philippine Bar.

Our network of Philippine Abogados covers a wide range of practice areas including family law, labor and employment law, civil litigation, criminal defense, corporate and business law, real estate and property disputes, contract review, immigration law, and estate planning. Whether you need advice on a labor dispute, assistance with annulment proceedings, help reviewing a contract, or guidance on registering a business, Pa-Abogado connects you with the right legal professional for your specific situation.

Pa-Abogado is committed to making legal services affordable and transparent. Consultation fees vary depending on the complexity of your legal issue and the experience level of the Abogado you choose. All fees are clearly displayed before you book a consultation, so there are no hidden charges. For a full breakdown of consultation fees, chat fees, notarization fees, and platform service charges, please visit our Transparent Pricing page.

PaChat is our chat-based legal consultation service inside the Pa-Abogado app. Instead of a live video or voice call, you exchange messages with a licensed Philippine Abogado — asking questions, sharing details, and receiving plain-language legal guidance at your own pace. It is ideal for legal concerns that can be addressed through written exchange rather than a face-to-face consultation.

A PaChat session is purely text-based consultation, using the chat functionality of our platform. You send your legal concern through the in-app chat, and your Abogado responds within the session window and time. There are no video or voice calls; all communication is through secure messaging, allowing you to think through your questions and carefully review your Abogado's replies.

Each PaChat session is valid for 1 hour from the booking time. Within that 1-hour window, you can send follow-up questions and your Abogado can continue to respond. After 1 hour, the session closes automatically. If you need further guidance beyond the window, you may book a new PaChat session or consider a PaKonsulta one-on-one consultation for more in-depth assistance.

PaChat is suited for legal questions that do not require an in-depth live consultation — such as clarifying a legal concept, understanding a short clause, learning your rights in a particular situation, or getting initial guidance on how to proceed with a concern. For complex matters requiring detailed review of documents or extended discussion, your Abogado may recommend booking a PaKonsulta consultation instead.

Yes. All PaChat messages are encrypted and protected by attorney-client privilege, just like any consultation with a licensed Abogado. Your conversation is accessible only to you and your Abogado, and is never shared with third parties without your explicit consent.

PaChat fees are displayed upfront before you book a session, with no hidden charges. The fee covers the full 1-hour session window. For the complete fee schedule, please visit our Transparent Pricing page.

PaNotaryo is our Electronic Notarization platform that lets you have documents notarized remotely or in-person by an Abogado accredited as an Electronic Notary Public (ENP). For remote notarization, simply upload your document through the app, complete the identity verification process, attend a brief live video session with the notary, and receive your notarized electronic document digitally. For in-person notarization, you may meet with a commissioned Electronic Notary Public and have your document notarized on-site. PaNotaryo is fully compliant with the Supreme Court of the Philippines Rules on Electronic Notarization (A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC) and the Rules on Notarial Practice.

PaNotaryo supports Electronic Notarization of various document types including affidavits, special power of attorney (SPA), deeds of sale, deeds of donation, loan agreements, memorandum of agreement, sworn statements, certifications, and other documents requiring notarial acknowledgment. Some documents may have specific legal requirements or restrictions for remote notarization, so our notaries will guide you through the process and confirm whether your document is eligible for remote electronic notarization or should be done in-person.

Yes. Electronic Notarization in the Philippines is governed by the Rules on Notarial Practice and the Supreme Court of the Philippines Rules on Electronic Notarization (A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC), which supplements traditional paper-based notarization by allowing the digital signing and acknowledgment of electronic documents using accredited, technology-based platforms. PaNotaryo adheres to these legal requirements, ensuring that all notarized documents — whether done remotely or in-person — are legally valid and enforceable. Commissioned Abogados in our platform, accredited as Electronic Notary Public (ENP), follow strict identity verification, document authentication, and recording protocols to maintain the integrity of the notarial process.

PaNotaryo uses a Secure Electronic Signature as defined under the Rules on Electronic Evidence (A.M. No. 01-7-01-SC). This is a higher standard than a simple digital signature: it uniquely identifies the signer and the Electronic Notary Public, is under the signer’s sole control at the time of signing, and is linked to the document so that any later alteration is detectable. Full details are available on our Electronic Signature & Notarization Rules page.

Before any notarial act, the signer’s identity is verified using a government-issued ID and biometric or liveness checks. The notarization itself is performed over a live, recorded video session with the commissioned Electronic Notary Public, who confirms identity, volition, and document integrity in real time. Every act is recorded in an audit trail with timestamps and document integrity checks.

Notarized documents and session recordings are stored on secure, access-controlled servers with encryption at rest and in transit, and retained for the period prescribed by the Supreme Court. Only authorized parties can access them, and every access is logged for audit purposes.

PaDokumento is our document preparation service inside the Pa-Abogado app. It guides you step by step through drafting, organizing, and reviewing legal documents — from affidavits and contracts to deeds and special powers of attorney — with the support of a qualified Abogado. PaDokumento helps you produce clear, court-ready documents without the intimidation or cost of starting from scratch.

PaDokumento supports a wide range of legal documents including affidavits, deeds of sale, deeds of donation, special powers of attorney, contracts and agreements, sworn statements, and other documents that may require notarization. Each document is reviewed by a licensed Abogado before it is finalized, and you receive a plain-language explanation of every clause and provision.

Yes. Documents prepared through PaDokumento are drafted and reviewed by licensed Philippine Abogados, ensuring they meet the formal requirements of Philippine law. If your document requires notarization, you can seamlessly proceed to PaNotaryo for remote electronic notarization by a commissioned Electronic Notary Public.

Pa-Abogado is the on-demand legal mobile app — the platform you download to access four services inside it. PaKonsulta offers one-on-one legal consultations with a licensed Abogado. PaChat is a chat-based consultation service — asynchronous messaging with a licensed Abogado throughout the session duration, with no video or voice calls. PaNotaryo is our dedicated notarization service for remote document notarization. PaDokumento is our document preparation service — guided drafting and Abogado review of affidavits, contracts, deeds, and other legal documents. Together, these four services form one comprehensive digital legal ecosystem inside the Pa-Abogado app, under Digital Oath Solutions Philippines Inc.

Transparency is one of our core principles. Pa-Abogado displays all consultation and service fees upfront before you commit to any legal service. You can compare rates among different Abogados, see exactly what services are included, and make an informed decision without pressure. Our platform eliminates the uncertainty of traditional legal billing by providing clear, itemized pricing. We believe that knowing the cost of legal services upfront empowers Filipinos to seek legal help without fear of unexpected charges.

Yes. Through PaKonsulta inside the Pa-Abogado app, you can consult a licensed Abogado about an ongoing court case — whether it involves a civil, criminal, family, labor, or commercial matter. Your Abogado can assess your situation, explain your options, and advise on next steps. You can review Abogado profiles, practice areas, and consultation availability before selecting the attorney who best fits your needs.

Absolutely. Pa-Abogado takes data privacy and security extremely seriously. Our platform is fully compliant with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) and implements industry-standard encryption to protect your personal and legal information. All communications between you and your Abogado are encrypted end-to-end, and your data is stored on secure servers with strict access controls. We never share your information with third parties without your explicit consent, and you have full control over your privacy settings.

Yes. Communications between you and your Abogado through the Pa-Abogado platform are protected by attorney-client privilege, just as they would be in a traditional law office setting. Our platform is designed to preserve the confidentiality of your legal consultations. The encryption and security measures we employ ensure that your privileged communications remain private and cannot be accessed by unauthorized parties.

You can request account deletion at any time directly within the Pa-Abogado mobile app under Account > Help and Support > Account Deletion. Before deletion, you must verify your identity using either an OTP sent to your registered mobile number or a verification code sent to your registered email. You will then see a two-step confirmation screen ("Are you sure you want to delete your account?" followed by "This action is permanent.") and must check a box acknowledging that certain records — such as electronic notarization logs, notarial register entries, session recordings, and financial records — may be retained as required by Philippine law. Profile information, chat messages, consultation records, and uploaded documents not subject to legal retention will be permanently deleted. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

With our Transparent Pricing, we list down consultation fees (PaKonsulta), chat fees (PaChat), electronic notarization fees (PaNotaryo), document preparation fees (PaDokumento), and the platform service charge respectively prior to booking. Every fee is disclosed before you confirm a service, and the platform service charge is itemized separately from the Abogado’s professional fee. More information can be found in our Transparency Pricing page.

No. We do not charge registration fees, subscription fees for Clients, or any fee that is not disclosed before a transaction. The platform service charge and any third-party payment processing fees are shown before you pay. If you ever see a charge you do not recognize, contact us at support@pa-abogado.ph.

For Clients, the platform service charge appears as a separate line item at checkout before you confirm payment. For Lawyers, it is deducted from the collected fee and reflected in the payout statement. The exact amount is disclosed during on-boarding and at the point of each transaction.

Upon checkout, the Platform issues a non-tax "System Payment Confirmation" as proof of booking. This is not a tax invoice. The Abogado you engage is the legal merchant of record for the services rendered and is responsible for issuing any official BIR Service Invoice. If you require an official BIR Service Invoice for your transaction, please request it directly from your Abogado after the service is completed.

Our Community Guidelines set out the standards of conduct expected of everyone on Pa-Abogado — respect, honesty, confidentiality, safety, and professionalism. They apply to all user-generated content, including consultation messages, reviews, and profiles. You can read the full guidelines on our Community Guidelines page.

We may issue warnings, remove content, suspend accounts, or permanently remove a user or Lawyer from the Platform for violations. Serious or repeated misconduct by a Lawyer may also be reported to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or the Supreme Court.

Email us at support@pa-abogado.ph with the subject line "Community Guidelines Report." Include the relevant details and any supporting evidence, and we will review and take appropriate action.

As a consumer protection measure, you have a seven (7)-day dispute window to raise a dispute through the Platform if you believe a service was not delivered as agreed. The seven-day countdown begins after the scheduled consultation or service has been rendered — not from the date of payment. DOSPI will review the dispute in good faith. See our Terms of Service for the full dispute resolution process.

Any dispute arising from a legal service provided through the Platform is a matter between the Client and the Lawyer and is governed by the engagement terms agreed directly between them and, where applicable, the CPRA and the Rules of Court. DOSPI is a technology provider and is not a party to any attorney-client relationship or to disputes arising from legal services rendered. Lawyer conduct complaints may be referred to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or the Supreme Court.

You may raise a complaint through the Platform or contact us at support@pa-abogado.ph. Lawyer conduct complaints may also be referred to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or the Supreme Court, which have authority over the professional discipline of lawyers.

If you are a duly licensed member of the Philippine Bar in good standing, you can apply to join the Pa-Abogado network through our website or mobile app. The onboarding process includes verification of your Bar credentials, review of your professional background, and a brief orientation on our platform standards. Once approved, you can set your consultation fees, define your practice areas, and begin receiving client inquiries. Pa-Abogado offers lawyers a modern way to expand their practice, reach more clients, and provide legal services efficiently through digital channels.

Joining Pa-Abogado gives licensed Philippine lawyers access to a growing client base across the country. You can offer consultations and legal services through a secure digital platform, set your own fees, choose your practice areas, and manage your schedule flexibly. Our platform allows client to match, schedule, process payment, and secure communications, allowing you to focus on providing quality legal service. It is an opportunity to grow your practice while helping make legal services more accessible to Filipinos local and abroad.

Payouts for your cleared earnings are disbursed no later than the 10th day of each month. If the 10th falls on a weekend or a Philippine public holiday, your payout will be credited on the next consecutive business day. Because Clients have a seven (7)-day dispute window after a service is rendered, any consultation completed or service rendered near the end of the month that has not cleared its dispute period before the monthly cut-off will automatically roll over to the next month’s payout cycle. This ensures disputed amounts are resolved before funds are released.