Free tools · CA, Legal & Consultants
How long do law firms take to get back to you?
Law firms often take a day or more to get back to a new enquiry, mainly because advocates spend working hours in court and small practices have no one else to answer. There is no rule on response times; we have not found Indian data on what firms actually do.
As a client, a same-day or next-working-day reply to a clear message is a fair expectation. As a firm, you can measure your own response time with the checker below: enter when each enquiry came in and when someone first replied.
By Vocora team · Published 18 October 2026
How long does it take for a law firm to get back to you?
For a new enquiry, a same-day acknowledgement and a consultation within one or two working days is a fair expectation. Many firms take longer because advocates are in court and small practices have no intake person. There is no official rule, and we have not found Indian data on what firms actually do.
Lead response time checker: ca, legal & consultants example
Pre-filled with the hypothetical example below. Replace every number with your own; nothing you type leaves your browser.
Lead response time checker
Pre-filled with the hypothetical example explained on this page. These are not benchmarks or averages: replace them with figures from your own records. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you type is sent or stored. ·
| # | Enquiry received | First reply (blank = none yet) | Waited |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 h 30 min | ||
| 2 | outside your hours | 15 h | |
| 3 | no reply | ||
| 4 | outside your hours | 1 h 35 min | |
| 5 | 25 min | ||
| 6 | outside your hours | 13 h 50 min | |
| 7 | 2 d 1 h |
| Enquirys checked | 7 (3 arrived outside your hours) |
| Median wait for a first reply (clock time) | 8 h 40 min |
| Median wait counting only your open hours | 55 min |
| Arrived in hours / outside hours: median wait | 3 h 30 min / 13 h 50 min |
| Replied within 5 minutes | 0 of 7 (0%) |
| Replied within 1 hour | 1 of 7 (14%) |
| Replied within 24 hours | 5 of 7 (71%) |
| No reply yet | 1 |
| Slowest reply | 2 d 1 h |
Times are read as entered, in your local time. Rows with an error are left out of the totals.
Why law-firm replies are slow
- Court first. Hearings take the working day; replies wait for the evening or the next morning.
- Messages without context. A missed call with no message gives the advocate nothing to prioritise.
- Conflict checks. Firms may check for conflicts before discussing a matter, which adds time.
- No intake person. Without a receptionist, no one acknowledges the enquiry while the advocate is busy.
- Weekends. Enquiries on Saturday evening and Sunday wait until Monday.
Where the example numbers come from
These are example assumptions, not benchmarks. We have not found reliable public data for them, so check each against your own records.
| Input | Example assumption | Why, and where to find yours |
|---|---|---|
| Open hours | 10:00–18:00, Monday to Saturday | Assumption for chambers; adjust to yours. |
| Enquiry times | 7 enquiries over one week | Hypothetical sample: court-hours, evening and weekend enquiries, one unanswered. |
| Replies | First call, WhatsApp or email back | Count the first real reply, not an auto-reply. |
Worked example (hypothetical)
A hypothetical three-advocate practice logs seven new enquiries in one week: several during court hours, two in the evening, one on Saturday that waited until Monday, and one never answered.
Open 10:00–18:00, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat. Week of 12 October 2026.
| Enquiry received | First reply | Wait (clock) | Wait (open hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 12 Oct, 10:30 | Mon 12 Oct, 14:00 | 3 h 30 min | 3 h 30 min |
| Mon 12 Oct, 19:45 (closed) | Tue 13 Oct, 10:45 | 15 h | 45 min |
| Tue 13 Oct, 12:00 | No reply | — | — |
| Wed 14 Oct, 09:15 (closed) | Wed 14 Oct, 10:50 | 1 h 35 min | 50 min |
| Thu 15 Oct, 16:20 | Thu 15 Oct, 16:45 | 25 min | 25 min |
| Fri 16 Oct, 21:10 (closed) | Sat 17 Oct, 11:00 | 13 h 50 min | 1 h |
| Sat 17 Oct, 11:30 | Mon 19 Oct, 12:30 | 2 d 1 h | 9 h |
- Replied: 6 of 7; median wait 8 h 40 min (clock), 55 min counting open hours only
- Within 5 minutes: 0 · within 1 hour: 1 · within 24 hours: 5
- Arrived while closed: 3; median wait for those 13 h 50 min, against 3 h 30 min for the rest
What it shows: Clock-time waits look long, but most of the delay is outside working hours. A same-day acknowledgement from a clerk or AI receptionist would change the client’s experience without the advocate leaving court.
A reasonable target: an acknowledgement the same working day, and a consultation slot offered within one working day.
How firms can respond faster
- Acknowledge every enquiry the same day with a short message and a proposed consultation time.
- Use an intake script (name, matter type, court, next date) so the advocate can prioritise from the message.
- Forward calls in court hours to someone who takes a structured message.
- Stay within Bar Council Rule 36: respond to enquiries; do not solicit.
The method and its limits are explained on the main tool page: How quickly should you respond to a lead? More for this industry in the CA, Legal & Consultants playbook.
FAQ
How long does it take for a law firm to get back to you?
For a new enquiry, a same-day acknowledgement and a consultation within one or two working days is a fair expectation. Many firms take longer because advocates are in court and small practices have no intake person. There is no official rule, and we have not found Indian data on what firms actually do.
How long do law firms take to get back to you?
Often a day or more for a new enquiry, mainly because court hours come first. A same-day or next-working-day reply to a clear message is a fair expectation. Firms can measure their own times with the checker above.
How long should I wait to hear from my lawyer?
For a routine question, a reply within one or two working days is reasonable. If a hearing or deadline is close, say so in writing so it is prioritised. Silence for a week or more on a live matter is worth raising directly.
How long should it take for a lawyer to get back to you about a new case?
A same-day acknowledgement and a consultation offered within a working day or two is a fair expectation. Firms that cannot manage that often lack someone to handle intake during court hours.
What should I include in a message to a law firm?
Your name, the type of matter, the court or authority, any next date, and when you can talk. Do not send sensitive documents until the firm has agreed to take the matter.
What are red flags for lawyers?
Not returning calls or messages for long periods, no written fee terms, promising outcomes, and not telling you your next date. Slow replies during court hours alone are normal.
Sources
- Oldroyd, McElheran and Elkington, “The Short Life of Online Sales Leads”, Harvard Business Review, March 2011 (US companies)
- Bar Council of India — Rule 36 (advertising and solicitation), as amended for websites
The tool gives an estimate from the numbers you enter. It is not a forecast, a quote, or legal, medical or financial advice.
Related
- CA, legal and consultants playbook
- Virtual receptionist for law firms in India
- Why don't lawyers answer the phone?
- Do law firms have receptionists?
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