Best Executive Coach in Asia 2026 (Asia Business Outlook) · Times of India Columnist · 570+ Google Reviews

Dr Krishna Athal Life & Executive Coach
Terms of engagement

Coaching Agreement

This Coaching Agreement sets out the terms governing coaching services provided by the “Coach” to the “Client”, each individually a “Party” and together the “Parties”.

14 clauses ~9 min read Governed by the laws of India
Whereas

Why this Agreement exists

  • The Client has approached the Coach as he/she desires to receive coaching services to enhance their knowledge and skills as mentioned in the scope of service (“Scope of Service”) in the Schedule of this Agreement.
  • Whereas the Client desires to receive coaching as mentioned in the Scope of Service, and the Coach is qualified and able to provide such coaching in accordance with the conditions of this Agreement.
Now this Agreement witnesseth and it is agreed between the Parties as follows.
01

Relationship of the Parties

02

Client’s roles and responsibilities

  • The Client is solely responsible for creating and implementing their own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions and results arising out of or resulting from the coaching relationship and their coaching calls and interactions with the Coach.
  • The Client agrees that the Coach is not and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction or any direct or indirect result of any services provided by the Coach.
  • The Client understands that coaching is a non-clinical service focused on goals, choices, behaviour, performance and development. Coaching does not diagnose or treat mental-health or medical conditions and is not a substitute for psychotherapy, psychiatry, clinical psychology, medical care or other appropriately qualified professional services when those are needed.
  • The Client understands that in order to enhance the coaching relationship, the Client agrees to communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance and create the time and energy to participate fully in the programme.
03

Term and termination

  • This Agreement takes effect when the Client accepts it or purchases the applicable coaching service and continues for the duration of that coaching engagement, including any agreed renewal or continuation, unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Agreement.
  • The Client may discontinue coaching at any time by written notice. The Coach may also end or pause the coaching relationship where appropriate, including where coaching is no longer within scope, professional boundaries cannot reasonably be maintained, payment obligations are not met, or continuation would not be appropriate.
  • Termination does not remove payment obligations already incurred. Any refund, credit, cancellation or unused-session request will be handled in accordance with the Return & Refund Policy applicable at the time of the request.
  • Clauses concerning confidentiality, liability, payment obligations, dispute resolution and any other provisions that by their nature are intended to continue will survive termination of the coaching relationship.
04

Limited liability of the Coach

  • The Client acknowledges that coaching may involve reflection on different areas of life and work, including career, finances, relationships, wellbeing, education, leadership and personal development. The Client remains responsible for their own decisions, choices, actions and implementation.
  • Coaching does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental-health or medical conditions and is not a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, psychiatry, clinical psychology, medical care, legal advice, financial advice or any other regulated professional service. The Client is responsible for seeking appropriately qualified independent support where required.
  • If the Client is receiving care from a mental-health or medical professional, coaching may continue where appropriate, but it does not replace that care. The Client is encouraged to keep relevant treating professionals informed where doing so is appropriate for their circumstances.
  • Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, the Coach makes no guarantee, representation or warranty that coaching will produce a particular personal, professional, financial, relationship, leadership or business outcome.
  • To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Coach will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss arising from the coaching services. Where liability cannot lawfully be excluded, the Coach’s aggregate liability under this Agreement will be limited to the fees paid by the Client for the specific coaching service giving rise to the claim.
05

Fees, cancellations and refunds

  • Coaching fees are payable in advance in accordance with the plan selected by the Client and the price displayed or otherwise agreed at the time of purchase. Foundation Coaching is a one-session, one-time service. Growth, Action and Mastery Coaching are monthly plans that currently include four one-to-one sessions per month.
  • Current plan prices, supported currencies and inclusions are published on the Coaching Plans & Pricing page. Where an invoice is issued, payment must be received by the stated due date and before the relevant coaching service is delivered.
  • A scheduled individual coaching session should be cancelled or rescheduled at least 48 hours in advance. A cancellation made within 48 hours of the scheduled start time is not ordinarily eligible for a refund.
  • If the Client does not attend a scheduled session and has not given the required prior notice, that session will be treated as a no-show and no refund will ordinarily be provided.
  • Refund requests, including requests involving extenuating circumstances or an incomplete coaching package, are considered case by case in accordance with the Return & Refund Policy . Approved refunds are processed within the timeframe stated in that policy.
06

Procedure

  • Coaching sessions will be scheduled at a mutually agreed time through the Coach’s booking process or another agreed method. Sessions may take place online or in person where available and agreed in advance.
  • For online sessions, the Client is responsible for joining at the scheduled time using the meeting link or connection details provided. For in-person sessions, the Client is responsible for attending the agreed location at the scheduled time.
  • The length, frequency and number of sessions will depend on the coaching plan purchased or any other written arrangement agreed between the Parties.
07

Confidentiality, records and privacy

  • The coaching relationship, together with information documented or verbally shared by the Client as part of that relationship, is handled in accordance with the confidentiality principles in the Ethical Code of Conduct . Coaching communications are not, however, protected by the same legally recognised professional privilege that may apply to certain medical or legal relationships.
  • The Coach will not disclose information pertaining to the Client without the Client’s consent except where disclosure is required by law, reasonably necessary to respond to an imminent or likely risk of serious harm, connected to suspected illegal activity, or otherwise permitted under this Agreement and applicable law. The Coach will not use the Client’s name as a testimonial, reference or public endorsement without appropriate permission.
  • Confidential Information does not include information that was lawfully known to the Coach before disclosure by the Client; is publicly available other than through a breach of confidentiality; is lawfully obtained from a third party without a confidentiality obligation; or is independently developed without use of the Client’s confidential information.
  • The Coach will seek to collect and retain only information reasonably necessary for the coaching relationship, administration, legal compliance, accounting, safeguarding and dispute-resolution purposes. Coaching and intake records will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for those purposes and in accordance with the Privacy Policy and applicable law, after which they will be securely deleted, destroyed or anonymised where appropriate.
  • Coaching sessions will not be audio- or video-recorded by the Coach unless the Client has been informed and has expressly agreed to the recording and its intended use. The Client should likewise obtain the Coach’s consent before recording a session.
  • The Client may raise questions about confidentiality, privacy, records or data handling at any time during the coaching relationship.
08

Entire Agreement

  • This document reflects the entire Agreement between the Coach and the Client, and reflects a complete understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter. This Agreement supersedes all prior written and oral representations. The Agreement may not be amended, altered, or supplemented except in writing, signed by both the Coach and the Client.
09

Governing law

  • This Agreement and the coaching relationship arising from it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, without regard to conflict-of-law principles that would require the application of another jurisdiction’s laws.
10

Dispute resolution

  • If a dispute, controversy or claim arises out of or in connection with this Agreement, either Party may give written notice describing the dispute. The Parties will first attempt in good faith to resolve it through direct discussion for a period of up to 30 days from receipt of that notice.
  • If the dispute is not resolved within that period, it shall, to the extent legally capable of being referred to arbitration, be finally resolved by arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, as amended from time to time.
  • The arbitration will be conducted by a sole arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement of the Parties. If the Parties cannot agree on the appointment, the arbitrator will be appointed in accordance with the procedure available under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
  • The seat and legal place of arbitration will be Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The arbitration proceedings will be conducted in English. The arbitral tribunal may determine the allocation of arbitration costs and legal costs in accordance with applicable law.
  • Nothing in this clause prevents either Party from seeking urgent interim or protective relief from a court of competent jurisdiction where such relief is permitted by law.
11

Jurisdiction and court support

  • Subject to the arbitration clause above, the courts in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to applications for interim measures, appointment or challenge of an arbitrator where court involvement is required, enforcement or setting aside of an arbitral award, and any dispute or remedy that cannot lawfully be resolved by arbitration.
12

Severability

  • If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and enforceable. If the Court finds that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable but that by limiting such provision it will become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
13

Waiver

  • The failure of either Party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that Party’s right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with every provision of this Agreement.
14

Binding effect

  • This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permissible assigns. The Schedule to this Agreement follows below.
Schedule

Scope of Service

The coaching Scope of Service will typically involve the following steps.

STEP 01

Initial consultation

The process begins with an initial consultation where the Coach discusses the Client’s needs, goals, and expectations.

STEP 02

Goal setting

The Coach and Client work together to establish clear, achievable goals, including career, relationships, wellbeing, personal development, or any other area of focus.

STEP 03

Assessing the current situation

The Coach helps the Client gain clarity about their current situation by exploring strengths, values, beliefs, and challenges.

STEP 04

Action planning

Once the goals are defined and the current situation assessed, Coach and Client collaborate to create a detailed action plan.

STEP 05

Support and accountability

The Coach provides ongoing support and accountability throughout the process, including guidance, encouragement, and feedback to keep the Client motivated and focused.

STEP 06

Skill development

Depending on the Client’s goals, the Coach may facilitate sessions that enhance specific skills or build new ones relevant to the Client’s objectives.

STEP 07

Overcoming obstacles

The Coach assists the Client in identifying and overcoming obstacles, including limiting beliefs, fears, or negative patterns, and developing strategies to move past them.

STEP 08

Evaluation and celebration

As the coaching process unfolds, Coach and Client regularly evaluate progress towards the Client’s goals.

Questions before you sign?

Bring them to a free 15-minute consultation. Clarity on the terms is part of the work.