What is Bar Council of India

by Yuvi - May 6, 2023

Bar Council of India

The Bar Council of India (BCI) is a statutory body established under the Advocates Act, 1961. Its main purpose is to regulate and supervise the legal profession in India. The BCI is responsible for the maintenance of standards of legal education and the recognition of universities offering law courses in India.

It also lays down guidelines for the conduct of advocates and ensures that they adhere to the highest ethical standards.

Section 4 of the Advocates Act, 1961 states that the Bar Council of India shall consist of members elected from each State Bar Council and nominated by the Chief Justice of India. The BCI is headed by a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman, who are elected by the members of the council from among themselves.

The main functions Bar Council of India

Maintenance of standards of legal education

The BCI lays down the standards for legal education and recognition of universities offering law courses in India. It also conducts inspections of law colleges to ensure that they meet the required standards.

Enrolment of Advocates

The BCI is responsible for the enrolment of advocates in India. It maintains a roll of advocates and ensures that only qualified and ethical individuals are enrolled as advocates.

Conduct of Advocates

The BCI lays down the guidelines for the conduct of advocates and ensures that they adhere to the highest ethical standards. It also has the power to take disciplinary action against advocates who violate these guidelines.

Legal Aid

The BCI is responsible for the implementation of legal aid schemes in the country and for providing financial assistance to the State Bar Councils for legal aid work.

Representation of the legal profession

The BCI is the representative body of the legal profession in India and represents the interests of the profession in various forums.

The BCI is also responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a library and a research center. It also publishes journals, newsletters and other publications to disseminate information about the legal profession.

Roles of Bar Council of India

The BCI plays a vital role in maintaining the standards of the legal profession in India and ensuring that advocates are held to the highest ethical standards. It is important for the smooth functioning of the Indian legal system and for the protection of the rights of citizens.

However, there have been some criticisms of the BCI in recent years. Some have said that it is not adequately fulfilling its role of protecting the rights of citizens and that it is not effectively regulating the legal profession. There have also been allegations of corruption and nepotism within the council.

Despite these criticisms, the BCI remains an important institution in the Indian legal system. It is essential for the maintenance of standards in the legal profession and for ensuring that advocates are held to the highest ethical standards. The BCI plays a crucial role in protecting the rights of citizens and in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Indian legal system.