Help Center
Find answers, guides, and support for using LawChain. Whether you're a client seeking legal help or a lawyer growing your practice, we're here to help.
Refunds & Cancellations
Understand how refunds work on LawChain and what happens when cases are cancelled.
Important
Once you release payment from escrow, it cannot be reversed. Only release payment when you're fully satisfied with the work. If there are issues, use the dispute process before releasing payment.
When Refunds Are Possible
Refund Available
- •Milestone funded but work not started: Request cancellation and receive full refund
- •Dispute resolved in client's favor: Full or partial refund per resolution
- •Mutual agreement to cancel: Both parties agree to cancel and refund
- •Lawyer abandons case: Full refund of unreleased milestones
Refund Not Available
- •Payment already released: Released payments are final and cannot be reversed
- •Dispute resolved in lawyer's favor: Funds released to lawyer
- •Work completed per agreement: If deliverables match the scope, payment is due
How to Request a Refund
Before Work Starts
- 1
Go to your case
Navigate to Dashboard → My Cases → Select the case
- 2
Find the funded milestone
Locate the milestone that hasn't been started yet
- 3
Click "Request Cancellation"
Provide a reason for the cancellation request
- 4
Lawyer confirms or disputes
If lawyer agrees, refund is processed. If not, it goes to dispute.
After Work Has Started
If work has begun and you're not satisfied, you'll need to use the dispute process:
- 1
Communicate with your lawyer first
Try to resolve the issue directly before filing a dispute
- 2
File a dispute if unresolved
Go to Resolution Center and file a dispute for the milestone
- 3
Submit evidence
Provide documentation supporting your refund request
- 4
Wait for resolution
Our team will review and determine a fair outcome
Refund Timeline
How long it takes to receive your refund
Note: Refund timing depends on your bank. The refund is processed immediately on our end, but banks may take additional time to credit your account.
Cancelling a Case
Before Milestones Are Funded
You can cancel a case at any time before funding milestones. Simply go to the case and click "Cancel Case". No money has changed hands, so no refund is needed.
With Funded Milestones
If milestones are funded, you'll need to resolve each one before the case can close:
- •Unreleased milestones: Request refund or mutual cancellation
- •In-progress milestones: Complete, refund, or go through dispute
- •Released milestones: These are final and won't be affected
Mutual Cancellation
The smoothest way to cancel is mutual agreement. Both you and the lawyer agree to cancel the case, and any funded milestones are refunded to you. This avoids the dispute process and is faster for everyone.
Common Questions
What if I released payment by mistake?
Unfortunately, released payments cannot be reversed. This is why we show a confirmation dialog before release. If you believe there was fraud or a technical error, contact support immediately.
Can I get a partial refund?
Yes, in dispute resolution, our team may decide a partial refund is fair. For example, if 50% of the work was completed satisfactorily, you might receive a 50% refund with 50% going to the lawyer.
What if the lawyer doesn't respond to cancellation?
If a lawyer doesn't respond to a cancellation request within 7 days, you can escalate to a dispute. Our team will review and can authorize the refund if the lawyer is unresponsive.
Is there a fee for refunds?
No. When you receive a refund, you get back the full amount you paid. We don't charge any fees on refunds or cancelled milestones.