Bar Council of India:
The Bar Council of India (BCI) recently issued a strict warning against ‘unethical’ legal advertising and misleading social media promotions leading to professional misconduct by advocates.
- It is a statutory body created by Parliament to regulate and represent the Indian bar.
- It was established under the Advocates Act, 1961, based on the recommendations of the All India Bar Committee.
- Its main objective is safeguarding the rights, interests, and privileges of advocates throughout India.
- It performs the regulatory function by prescribing standards of professional conduct and etiquette and by exercising disciplinary jurisdiction over the bar.
- It also sets standards for legal education and grants recognition to Universities whose degrees in law will serve as qualification for enrolment as an advocate.
- It conducts the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) to grant a ‘Certificate of Practice’ to advocates practising law in India.
- BCI also funds welfare schemes for economically weaker and physically handicapped advocates.
- It also recognizes on a reciprocal basis foreign qualifications in law obtained outside India for admission as an advocate under this Act.
- It comprises members elected from each State Bar Council, the Attorney General of India, and the Solicitor of India, who serve as members automatically.
- The members of the State Bar Councils are elected for five years.
- The Council has the power to choose its own Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among its members, and they serve for two years.
