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Context:

The Bar Council of India (BCI) expressed concern about the self-proclaimed legal influencers on social media.

Bar Council of India (BCI)

The Bar Council of India (BCI) is a statutory body established under the Advocates Act, 1961, to regulate and represent the legal profession in India.

Functions

• Setting standards of professional conduct for advocates.
• Prescribing procedures for disciplinary committees.
• Safeguarding the rights, privileges, and interests of advocates
• Promoting law reform.
• Recognizing universities whose law degrees qualify students for enrollment as advocates.
• Conducting seminars and publishing legal journals.
• Organizing legal aid for the poor.
• Managing and investing the funds of the Bar Council.

BCI composed

It consists of members elected from each State Bar Council for a five-year term.

It includes two ex-officio members: the Attorney General of India and the Solicitor General of India.

The Council elects its own Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among its members for a two-year term.

BCI Conduct All India Bar Examination (AIBE) to grant a "Certificate of Practice" to advocates.

Recent Developments

The BCI has issued a warning against the growing trend of legal influencers on social media who lack proper credentials and spread misinformation on critical legal issues.

They condemned the practice of advocates advertising their services through social media, promotional videos, and influencer endorsements, including the use of Bollywood actors and celebrities.

The BCI is underlined that these practices compromise the ethical standards and professional integrity of the legal profession. 

BCI considers several practices as unethical:

• Using social media platforms to advertise legal services.
• Creating promotional videos for legal practices.
• Securing endorsements from Bollywood actors, celebrities, or influencers.
• Soliciting work through online portals like Quikr, Sulekha, Just Dial, and Grotal.
• Leveraging religious, cultural, or public events for self-promotion through banners, stalls, and digital advertisements.

Violations will trigger disciplinary actions, including:

• Suspension or cancellation of registration for advocates
• Contempt proceedings in the Supreme Court.
• Official complaints to be made to online platforms.
• Removal of advertisements and advertising materials.

Way Forward

BCI signals a clear stance that legal services should be based on reputation and merit rather than aggressive marketing tactics. By restricting commercialization and ensuring that only qualified professionals provide legal advice, the BCI aims to maintain public trust in the justice system.

Source:

LIVELAW

https://t.me/+hJqMV1O0se03Njk9