Bar Council of India: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Regulating body of lawyers in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}}
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| agency_name    = Bar Council of India
| agency_name    = Bar Council of India
| type            = Statutory body
| type            = Statutory body
| nativename_a    = भारतीय विधिज्ञ परिषद
| nativename_r    =
| logo            = Logo of Bar Council of India.png
| logo            = Logo of Bar Council of India.png
| logo_width      = 150
| logo_width      = 200
| formed          = 1961
| formed          = {{start date and age|1961}}
| headquarters    = [[New Delhi]]
| headquarters    = [[New Delhi]], India
| preceding      = State level bar councils
| chief1_name    = [[Manan Kumar Mishra]]
| chief1_name    =[[Manan Kumar Mishra]]
| chief1_position = Chairman
| chief1_position = Chairman
| chief2_name    = S.Prabakaran
| chief2_name    = S. Prabakaran
| chief2_position = Vice Chairman
| chief2_position = Vice Chairman
| chief3_name    = Satish Abarao Deshmukh
| chief3_name    = Satish Abarao Deshmukh
| chief3_position = Co Chairman
| chief3_position = Co-chairman
| website        = www.barcouncilofindia.org
| website        = {{URL|www.barcouncilofindia.org}}
}}
}}
{{Courts of India}}
{{Courts of India}}
The '''Bar Council of India''' is a [[statutory body]] established under the section 4 of Advocates Act 1961 that regulates the legal practice and legal education in India. Its members are elected from amongst the lawyers in India and as such represents the Indian bar. It prescribes standards of [[professional conduct]], [[etiquette]]s and exercises disciplinary jurisdiction over the bar. It also sets standards for [[legal education]] and grants recognition to universities whose degree in law will serve as a qualification for students to enroll themselves as advocates upon graduation.<ref name=aboutBCI>{{cite web|title=About the Bar Council of India|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=3 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="Harvard study">{{cite web | url=http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/plp/pdf/Indian_Legal_Profession.pdf | title=The Indian Legal Profession | work=President and Fellows of Harvard College | access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref><ref name=AdvoAct>{{cite web|title=Advocates Act, 1961|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Advocates-Act1961.pdf|publisher=Parliament of India|access-date=3 May 2014|year=1961}}</ref>
'''Bar Council of India (BCI)''' is a [[statutory body]] established under section 4 of the Advocates Act 1961 that regulates the legal practice and legal education in India. Its members are elected from amongst the lawyers in India and represent the Indian bar. It prescribes standards of [[professional conduct]], [[etiquette]]s and exercises disciplinary jurisdiction over the bar. It also sets standards for [[legal education]] and grants recognition to universities whose law degrees will qualify students to enrol themselves as advocates upon graduation.<ref name=aboutBCI>{{cite web|title=About the Bar Council of India|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=3 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="Harvard study">{{cite web | url=http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/plp/pdf/Indian_Legal_Profession.pdf | title=The Indian Legal Profession | work=President and Fellows of Harvard College | access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref><ref name=AdvoAct>{{cite web|title=Advocates Act, 1961|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Advocates-Act1961.pdf|publisher=Parliament of India|access-date=3 May 2014|year=1961 |archive-date=3 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503120312/http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Advocates-Act1961.pdf}}</ref>


==History==
==History==


In March 1953, the 'All India Bar Committee', headed by [[S. R. Das]], submitted a report which proposed the creation of a bar council for each state and an all-India bar council as an apex body. It was suggested that the all India bar council would regulate the legal profession and set the standard of legal education. The [[Law Commission of India]] was assigned the job of assembling a report on judicial administration reforms.
In March 1953, the 'All India Bar Committee', headed by [[S. R. Das]], submitted a report that proposed the creation of a bar council for each state and an all-India bar council as an apex body. It was suggested that the All India Bar Council would regulate the legal profession and set the standard of legal education. The [[Law Commission of India]] was assigned the job of assembling a report on judicial administration reforms and helping India to reform justice and equity to the whole country.


In 1961, the Advocates Act<ref>http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Advocates-Act1961.pdf</ref> was introduced to implement the recommendations made by the 'All India Bar Committee' and 'Law Commission'. [[M. C. Setalvad]] and [[C. K. Daphtary]] were the first chairman and vice chairman respectively. In 1963, C. K. Daphtary became the Chairman and S. K. Ghose became the Vice Chairman.<ref name=aboutBCI /><ref name=History>{{cite web|title=History of Bar Council of India|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/history/|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328024935/http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/history/|archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref>
In 1961, the Advocates Act<ref name=AdvoAct /> was introduced to implement the recommendations made by the 'All India Bar Committee' and 'Law Commission'. [[M. C. Setalvad]] and [[C. K. Daphtary]] were the first chairman and vice chairman respectively. In 1963, C. K. Daphtary became the chairman and S. K. Ghose became the vice chairman.<ref name=aboutBCI /><ref name=History>{{cite web|title=History of Bar Council of India|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/history/|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328024935/http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/history/|archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref>


==Functions==
==Functions==
[[File:Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bar Council of India.jpg|300px|thumb|Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bar Council of India]]
[[File:Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bar Council of India.jpg|300px|thumb|Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bar Council of India]]


Section 7 of the Advocates Act, 1961 lays down the Bar Council’s regulatory and representative mandate. The functions of the Bar Council are to:<ref name=AdvoAct />
Section 7 of the Advocates Act, 1961 lays down the Bar Council's regulatory and representative mandate. The functions of the Bar Council are to:<ref name=AdvoAct />
#Lay down standards of professional conduct and etiquette for [[advocate]]s.
#Lay down standards of professional conduct and etiquette for [[advocate]]s.
#Lay down procedure to be followed by disciplinary committees
#Lay down the procedure to be followed by disciplinary committees
#Safeguard the rights, privileges and interests of advocates
#Safeguard the rights, privileges and interests of advocates
#Promote and support [[law reform]]
#Promote and support [[law reform]]
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As per the Advocates Act, the Bar Council of India consists of members elected from each state bar council, and the [[Attorney General of India]] and the [[Solicitor General of India]] who are ''[[Ex officio member|ex officio]]'' members. {{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
As per the Advocates Act, the Bar Council of India consists of members elected from each state bar council, and the [[Attorney General of India]] and the [[Solicitor General of India]] who are ''[[Ex officio member|ex officio]]'' members. {{citation needed|date=September 2019}}


The council elects its own Chairman and Vice-Chairman for a period of two years from amongst its members. Assisted by the various committees of the Council, the chairman acts as the chief executive and director of the Council.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
The council elects its chairman and vice-chairman for two years from amongst its members. Assisted by the various committees of the council, the chairman acts as the chief executive and director of the council.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}


===Present members===
===Present members===
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! Name of the Member !! Position
! Name of the Member !! Position
|-
|-
| [[Manan Kumar Mishra]] ||  Chairman, Bar Council of India
| [[Manan Kumar Mishra]]
|Chairman, Bar Council of India
|-
|-
| Satish Abarao Deshmukh ||  
| Apurba Kumar Sharma||  
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
|-
|-
| S.Prabakaran Senior Advocate || Vice-Chairman , Bar Council of India
| S.Prabakaran Senior Advocate || Vice-chairman, Bar Council of India


|-
|-
| D.P. Dhal || Managing Trustee, BCI Trust
|  
|-
|-
| Suresh Chandra Shrimali|| Co Chairman
| Suresh Chandra Shrimali|| Co Chairman
|-
|-
|  [[K. K. Venugopal]]  || [[Attorney General of India]], ex-officio member
| D.K. Sharma, Senior Advocate|| Co Chairman
|-
|  [[R. Venkatramani]]  || [[Attorney General of India]], ex-officio member
|-  
|-  
|  Tushar Mehata || Solicitor General of India ex-officio member
|  [[Tushar Mehta]] || [[Solicitor General of India]], ex-officio member
|-
|-
|  Shailendra Dubey  || Member
|  Shailendra Dubey  || Member
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| Ved Prakash Sharma    || Co Chairman
| Ved Prakash Sharma    || Co Chairman
|-
|-
|    Apurva kumar Sharma   
|    Apurva Kumar Sharma   
|Chairman, Executive Committee
|Chairman, Executive Committee
|-
|-
|  N. Manoj Kumar || Member, Vice Chairman, Executive Committee  
|  N. Manoj Kumar || Member, vice chairman, Executive Committee  
|-
|-
|  Ramireddy ,  || Member
|  Ramireddy,  || Member
|-
|-
|  Prashant Kumar  || Member
|  Prashant Kumar  || Member
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|  Dilip Patel || Member
|  Dilip Patel || Member
|-
|-
|  Deshraj Sharma|| Member
|  Dr Amit vaid|| Member
|-
|-
|  Partap Singh|| Member
|  Suvir Sidhu|| Member
|-
|-
| Vishnuvardhan Reddy || Member
| Vishnuvardhan Reddy || Member
|-
|-
| Srinath Tripati || Member
| Srinath Tripathi || Member
|-
|-
| Sunil Gupta || Member
| Bhakta Bhushan, Jitendra Sharma, Ashish Deshmukh || Members
|-
|-
| Ashok Dev || Member
| Ashok Dev || Member
|}
|}


Manan Kumar Mishra is the present Chairman. He was preceded by Biri Singh Sinsinewar, who was in turn preceded by the current Chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra.<ref name="Office Bearers">{{cite web|title=Office bearers of the Bar Council of India|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/members/|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328014245/http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/members/|archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref>
[[Manan Kumar Mishra]] is the present chairman. He was preceded by Biri Singh Sinsinewar, who was in turn preceded by the current chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra.<ref name="Office Bearers">{{cite web|title=Office bearers of the Bar Council of India|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/members/|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328014245/http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/members/|archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/members/|title=Office Bearers of Bar Council of India « The Bar Council of India|website=www.barcouncilofindia.org|access-date=2016-11-21}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/members/|title=Office Bearers of Bar Council of India « The Bar Council of India|website=www.barcouncilofindia.org|access-date=2016-11-21}}</ref>


==Enrollment of advocates==
==Enrollment of advocates==
Eligible persons having a recognised law degree are admitted as advocates on the rolls of the state bar Councils. The Advocates Act, 1961 empowers state bar councils to frame their own rules regarding enrollment of advocates. The Council’s enrollment committee may scrutinise a candidate’s application. Those admitted as advocates by any state bar council are eligible to take the All India Bar Examination which is conducted by the Bar Council of India. Passing the [[All India Bar Examination]] awards the state-enrolled advocate with a 'Certificate of Enrolment' which enables the state-enrolled advocate to practice law as an advocate in any High Court and lower court within the territory of India.  However to practise Law before the Supreme Court of India, Advocates must first appear for and qualify in the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Examination conducted by the Supreme Court.<ref name="AdvoAct"/>
Eligible persons having a recognised law degree are admitted as advocates on the rolls of the state bar Councils. The Advocates Act, 1961 empowers state bar councils to frame their own rules regarding the enrollment of advocates. The council's enrollment committee may scrutinise a candidate's application. Those admitted as advocates by any state bar council are eligible to take the All India Bar Examination which is conducted by the Bar Council of India. Passing the [[All India Bar Examination]] awards the state-enrolled advocate with a 'Certificate of Enrolment' which enables the state-enrolled advocate to practice law as an advocate in any High Court and lower court within the territory of India.  However, to practise Law before the Supreme Court of India, Advocates must first appear for and qualify in the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Examination conducted by the Supreme Court.<ref name="AdvoAct"/>


==Committees==
==Committees==


The Bar Council of India has various committees which make recommendations to the council. The members of these committees are elected from amongst the members of the Council.
The Bar Council of India has various committees which make recommendations to the council. The members of these committees are elected from amongst the members of the council.
* '''Executive Committee''': This committee deals with the issues related to management of funds, affairs of the staff, accounts, allotment of work, management of council's affairs, audit, library and legal publications delegation of work. Apurva Kumar Sharma from Assam is the Chairman and N. Manoj Kumar from Kerala is the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee at present.
* '''Executive Committee''': This committee deals with the issues related to the management of funds, affairs of the staff, accounts, allotment of work, management of council's affairs, audit, library and legal publications delegation of work. Apurva Kumar Sharma from Assam is the chairman and N. Manoj Kumar from Kerala is the vice chairman of the executive committee at present.
*'''Legal Education Committee''': This committee makes recommendations to the BCI on matters related to legal education and sets standards of legal education, visits and inspects universities, recommend the pre =requisites for foreign advocates practicing law in India, recommend recognition or discontinuance of a [[law degree]] from a university. Justice A.P. Mishra, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India is the Chairman of the Legal Education Committee.
*'''Legal Education Committee''': This committee makes recommendations to the BCI on matters related to legal education and sets standards of legal education, visits and inspects universities, recommends the pre =requisites for foreign advocates practising law in India, recommends recognition or discontinuance of a [[law degree]] from a university. Justice A.P. Mishra, Former Judge of, the Supreme Court of India is the Chairman of the Legal Education Committee.
*'''Disciplinary Committee''': This committee reviews applications by persons against summary dismissal of their complaints against advocates for [[professional misconduct]], by the state bar councils and appeals against orders of the disciplinary committees of the state bar councils.
*'''Disciplinary Committee''': This committee reviews applications by persons against summary dismissal of their complaints against advocates for [[professional misconduct]], by the state bar councils and appeals against orders of the disciplinary committees of the state bar councils.
*'''Advocate Welfare Association''': This committee looks into applications made by advocates for welfare funds. It verifies the application and provides funds. The Advocates Welfare committee is certified by the Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2001.
*'''Advocate Welfare Association''': This committee looks into applications made by advocates for welfare funds. It verifies the application and provides funds. The Advocates Welfare Committee is certified by the Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2001.
*'''Legal Aid Committee''': The Legal Aid Committee provides aids to those requiring legal assistance.
*'''Legal Aid Committee''': The Legal Aid Committee provides aid to those requiring legal assistance.
*'''Building Committee''': The Building Committee is responsible for setting up offices for the Council.
*'''Building Committee''': The Building Committee is responsible for setting up offices for the council.
*'''Rules Committee''': The Rules Committee reviews the rules and regulations of the Council.
*'''Rules Committee''': The Rules Committee reviews the rules and regulations of the council.


Other than these, there are Finance Committee, Special or Oversee Committee and All India Bar Examination Committee.<ref name=Committees>{{cite web|title=Committees of Bar Council of India|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/committees/|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328025118/http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/committees/|archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref>
Other than these, there are the Finance Committee, Special or Oversee Committee and All India Bar Examination Committee.<ref name=Committees>{{cite web|title=Committees of Bar Council of India|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/committees/|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328025118/http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/about/about-the-bar-council-of-india/committees/|archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref>


==Directorate of Legal Education==
==Directorate of Legal Education==


The Bar Council of India has established a Directorate of Legal Education for the purpose of organising, running, conducting, holding, and administering the following:
The Bar Council of India has established a Directorate of Legal Education to organise, run, conduct, hold, and administer the following:
# Continuing Legal Education
# Continuing Legal Education
# Teachers training
# Teachers training
# Advanced specialised professional courses
# Advanced specialised professional courses
# Education program for Indian students seeking registration after obtaining Law Degree from a Foreign University
# Education program for Indian students seeking registration after obtaining a Law Degree from a Foreign University
# Research on professional Legal Education and Standardisation
# Research on Professional Legal Education and Standardisation
# Seminar and workshop
# Seminar and workshop
# Legal Research
# Legal Research
# Any other assignment that may be assigned to it by the Legal Education committee and the Bar Council of India.
# Any other assignment that may be assigned to it by the Legal Education Committee and the Bar Council of India.


==All India Bar Examination==
==All India Bar Examination==


On 10 April 2010, the Bar Council of India resolved to conduct an All India Bar Examination that tests an advocate’s ability to practice law. It is required for an advocate to pass this examination to practice law. This examination is held biannually and tests advocates on substantive and procedural law. The syllabi for this examination has to be published at least three months before the examination. An advocate may appear for the examination any number of times. Once the advocate passes the examination, he/she will be entitled to a Certificate of Practice law throughout India.<ref>{{cite web|title=All India Bar Examination (AIBE)|url=http://www.allindiabarexamination.com/about_us.aspx|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=14 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=All India Bar Exam|url=http://wbbarcouncil.org/aibe.php?page=2|publisher=West Bengal Bar Council of India|access-date=14 May 2014}}</ref> It is clarified that the Bar Examination shall be mandatory for all law students graduating from academic year 2009-2010 onwards and enrolled as advocates under Section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/all-india-bar-examination-rules-2010-notified/|title=bar council rules|access-date=3 February 2017}}</ref>
On 10 April 2010, the Bar Council of India resolved to conduct an All India Bar Examination that tests an advocate's ability to practice law. It is required for an advocate to pass this examination to practice law. This examination is held biannually and tests advocate on substantive and procedural law. The syllabus for this examination has to be published at least three months before the examination. An advocate may appear for the examination any number of times. Once the advocate passes the examination, they will be entitled to a Certificate of Practice law throughout India.<ref>{{cite web|title=All India Bar Examination (AIBE)|url=http://www.allindiabarexamination.com/about_us.aspx|publisher=Bar Council of India|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-date=15 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515013714/http://www.allindiabarexamination.com/about_us.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=All India Bar Exam|url=http://wbbarcouncil.org/aibe.php?page=2|publisher=West Bengal Bar Council of India|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-date=14 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514124234/http://wbbarcouncil.org/aibe.php?page=2|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is clarified that the Bar Examination shall be mandatory for all law students graduating from academic year 2009-2010 onwards and enrolled as advocates under Section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/all-india-bar-examination-rules-2010-notified/|title=bar council rules|access-date=3 February 2017|archive-date=30 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030203208/http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/all-india-bar-examination-rules-2010-notified/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
From 2020 onwards, the All India Bar Examination is being conducted only once a year. Moreover, AIBE is no longer an open-book examination as BCI banned reference material inside the exam centres in 2022. Candidates could only take Bare Acts without comments inside the examination hall. So far 16 editions of the AIBE examination have been conducted successfully allowing law graduates to obtain the Certificate of Practice. In 2022, BCI<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shiksha.com/law/articles/bar-council-of-india-bci-all-you-need-to-know-blogId-23717|title=bar council of india}}</ref> has also launched mobile application AIBESCOPE, available exclusively on the Google Playstore. BCI is planning to make the AIBE stricter than its previous editions, as the exam is an evaluation tool to ensure high-quality legal education and profession in India.
 
==See also==
 
* [[Bangladesh Bar Council]]
* [[Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh]]
* [[Bar Council of Telangana]]
* [[Bar Council of Delhi]]
* [[Bar Council of Karnataka]]
* [[Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry]]
* [[Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh]]
* [[Bar Council of Kerala]]
* [[Bar Council of Bihar]]
* [[Bar Council Of Gujarat|Bar Council of Gujarat]]
* [[Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa]]
* [[Bar Council of Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim]]
* [[Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh]]
* [[Bar Council of Orissa]]
* [[Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana]]
* [[Bar Council of Rajasthan]]
* [[Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh]]
* [[Bar Council of West Bengal]]
* [[Bar Council of Jharkhand]]
* [[Bar Council of Uttarakhand]]


== References ==
== References ==
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==External links==
==External links==
* http://www.allindiabarexamination.com/
* http://www.allindiabarexamination.com/
* [http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOINEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM%2F2011%2F03%2F06&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T&PageLabel=11&EntityId=Ar01103&AppName=1 First qualifying exam for law grads today]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141105142206/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOINEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM%2F2011%2F03%2F06&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T&PageLabel=11&EntityId=Ar01103&AppName=1 First qualifying exam for law grads today]


{{Indian Professional Regulators}}
{{Indian Professional Regulators}}
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Bar associations]]
[[Category:Bar associations of Asia]]
[[Category:Legal organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Legal organisations based in India]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1961]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1961]]
[[Category:Regulatory agencies of India]]
[[Category:Regulatory agencies of India]]

Latest revision as of 11:59, 18 October 2025


Bar Council of India
Statutory body overview
Formed1961; 65 years ago (1961)
HeadquartersNew Delhi, India
Statutory body executives
  • Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman
  • S. Prabakaran, Vice Chairman
  • Satish Abarao Deshmukh, Co-chairman
Websitewww.barcouncilofindia.org
This article is part of a series on
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Bar Council of India (BCI) is a statutory body established under section 4 of the Advocates Act 1961 that regulates the legal practice and legal education in India. Its members are elected from amongst the lawyers in India and represent the Indian bar. It prescribes standards of professional conduct, etiquettes and exercises disciplinary jurisdiction over the bar. It also sets standards for legal education and grants recognition to universities whose law degrees will qualify students to enrol themselves as advocates upon graduation.[1][2][3]

History[edit | edit source]

In March 1953, the 'All India Bar Committee', headed by S. R. Das, submitted a report that proposed the creation of a bar council for each state and an all-India bar council as an apex body. It was suggested that the All India Bar Council would regulate the legal profession and set the standard of legal education. The Law Commission of India was assigned the job of assembling a report on judicial administration reforms and helping India to reform justice and equity to the whole country.

In 1961, the Advocates Act[3] was introduced to implement the recommendations made by the 'All India Bar Committee' and 'Law Commission'. M. C. Setalvad and C. K. Daphtary were the first chairman and vice chairman respectively. In 1963, C. K. Daphtary became the chairman and S. K. Ghose became the vice chairman.[1][4]

Functions[edit | edit source]

Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bar Council of India

Section 7 of the Advocates Act, 1961 lays down the Bar Council's regulatory and representative mandate. The functions of the Bar Council are to:[3]

  1. Lay down standards of professional conduct and etiquette for advocates.
  2. Lay down the procedure to be followed by disciplinary committees
  3. Safeguard the rights, privileges and interests of advocates
  4. Promote and support law reform
  5. Deal with and dispose of any matter which may be referred by a State Bar Council
  6. Promote legal education and lay down standards of legal education.
  7. Determine universities whose degree in law shall be a qualification for enrollment as an advocate.
  8. Conduct seminars on legal topics by eminent jurists and publish journals and papers of legal interest.
  9. Organise and provide legal aid to the poor.
  10. Recognise foreign qualifications in law obtained outside India for admission as an advocate.
  11. Manage and invest funds of the Bar Council.
  12. Provide for the election of its members who shall run the Bar Councils.

Constitution[edit | edit source]

As per the Advocates Act, the Bar Council of India consists of members elected from each state bar council, and the Attorney General of India and the Solicitor General of India who are ex officio members. [citation needed]

The council elects its chairman and vice-chairman for two years from amongst its members. Assisted by the various committees of the council, the chairman acts as the chief executive and director of the council.[citation needed]

Present members[edit | edit source]

Bar Council of India
Name of the Member Position
Manan Kumar Mishra Chairman, Bar Council of India
Apurba Kumar Sharma

Executive Committee

S.Prabakaran Senior Advocate Vice-chairman, Bar Council of India
Suresh Chandra Shrimali Co Chairman
D.K. Sharma, Senior Advocate Co Chairman
R. Venkatramani Attorney General of India, ex-officio member
Tushar Mehta Solicitor General of India, ex-officio member
Shailendra Dubey Member
Sadhashiva Reddy Co Chairman
Ved Prakash Sharma Co Chairman
Apurva Kumar Sharma Chairman, Executive Committee
N. Manoj Kumar Member, vice chairman, Executive Committee
Ramireddy, Member
Prashant Kumar Member
Dilip Patel Member
Dr Amit vaid Member
Suvir Sidhu Member
Vishnuvardhan Reddy Member
Srinath Tripathi Member
Bhakta Bhushan, Jitendra Sharma, Ashish Deshmukh Members
Ashok Dev Member

Manan Kumar Mishra is the present chairman. He was preceded by Biri Singh Sinsinewar, who was in turn preceded by the current chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra.[5] [6]

Enrollment of advocates[edit | edit source]

Eligible persons having a recognised law degree are admitted as advocates on the rolls of the state bar Councils. The Advocates Act, 1961 empowers state bar councils to frame their own rules regarding the enrollment of advocates. The council's enrollment committee may scrutinise a candidate's application. Those admitted as advocates by any state bar council are eligible to take the All India Bar Examination which is conducted by the Bar Council of India. Passing the All India Bar Examination awards the state-enrolled advocate with a 'Certificate of Enrolment' which enables the state-enrolled advocate to practice law as an advocate in any High Court and lower court within the territory of India. However, to practise Law before the Supreme Court of India, Advocates must first appear for and qualify in the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Examination conducted by the Supreme Court.[3]

Committees[edit | edit source]

The Bar Council of India has various committees which make recommendations to the council. The members of these committees are elected from amongst the members of the council.

  • Executive Committee: This committee deals with the issues related to the management of funds, affairs of the staff, accounts, allotment of work, management of council's affairs, audit, library and legal publications delegation of work. Apurva Kumar Sharma from Assam is the chairman and N. Manoj Kumar from Kerala is the vice chairman of the executive committee at present.
  • Legal Education Committee: This committee makes recommendations to the BCI on matters related to legal education and sets standards of legal education, visits and inspects universities, recommends the pre =requisites for foreign advocates practising law in India, recommends recognition or discontinuance of a law degree from a university. Justice A.P. Mishra, Former Judge of, the Supreme Court of India is the Chairman of the Legal Education Committee.
  • Disciplinary Committee: This committee reviews applications by persons against summary dismissal of their complaints against advocates for professional misconduct, by the state bar councils and appeals against orders of the disciplinary committees of the state bar councils.
  • Advocate Welfare Association: This committee looks into applications made by advocates for welfare funds. It verifies the application and provides funds. The Advocates Welfare Committee is certified by the Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2001.
  • Legal Aid Committee: The Legal Aid Committee provides aid to those requiring legal assistance.
  • Building Committee: The Building Committee is responsible for setting up offices for the council.
  • Rules Committee: The Rules Committee reviews the rules and regulations of the council.

Other than these, there are the Finance Committee, Special or Oversee Committee and All India Bar Examination Committee.[7]

Directorate of Legal Education[edit | edit source]

The Bar Council of India has established a Directorate of Legal Education to organise, run, conduct, hold, and administer the following:

  1. Continuing Legal Education
  2. Teachers training
  3. Advanced specialised professional courses
  4. Education program for Indian students seeking registration after obtaining a Law Degree from a Foreign University
  5. Research on Professional Legal Education and Standardisation
  6. Seminar and workshop
  7. Legal Research
  8. Any other assignment that may be assigned to it by the Legal Education Committee and the Bar Council of India.

All India Bar Examination[edit | edit source]

On 10 April 2010, the Bar Council of India resolved to conduct an All India Bar Examination that tests an advocate's ability to practice law. It is required for an advocate to pass this examination to practice law. This examination is held biannually and tests advocate on substantive and procedural law. The syllabus for this examination has to be published at least three months before the examination. An advocate may appear for the examination any number of times. Once the advocate passes the examination, they will be entitled to a Certificate of Practice law throughout India.[8][9] It is clarified that the Bar Examination shall be mandatory for all law students graduating from academic year 2009-2010 onwards and enrolled as advocates under Section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961.[10]

From 2020 onwards, the All India Bar Examination is being conducted only once a year. Moreover, AIBE is no longer an open-book examination as BCI banned reference material inside the exam centres in 2022. Candidates could only take Bare Acts without comments inside the examination hall. So far 16 editions of the AIBE examination have been conducted successfully allowing law graduates to obtain the Certificate of Practice. In 2022, BCI[11] has also launched mobile application AIBESCOPE, available exclusively on the Google Playstore. BCI is planning to make the AIBE stricter than its previous editions, as the exam is an evaluation tool to ensure high-quality legal education and profession in India.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "About the Bar Council of India". Bar Council of India. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "The Indian Legal Profession" (PDF). President and Fellows of Harvard College. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Advocates Act, 1961" (PDF). Parliament of India. 1961. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "History of Bar Council of India". Bar Council of India. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "Office bearers of the Bar Council of India". Bar Council of India. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  6. ↑ "Office Bearers of Bar Council of India « The Bar Council of India". www.barcouncilofindia.org. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "Committees of Bar Council of India". Bar Council of India. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "All India Bar Examination (AIBE)". Bar Council of India. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "All India Bar Exam". West Bengal Bar Council of India. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "bar council rules". Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  11. ↑ "bar council of india".

External links[edit | edit source]

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