The Bar Council of India (BCI) has strongly condemned and issued a strict warning against the trend of advocates promoting their services through social media, promotional videos and influencer endorsements..The BCI, in a press release issued on March 17, has expressly denounced the involvement of Bollywood actors and celebrities in such posts and the usage of digital media platforms as promotional tools, in violation of Rule 36, Chapter II, Part VI of the BCI Rules. This Rule states,“An advocate shall not solicit work or advertise, either directly or indirectly, whether by circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications, interviews not warranted by personal relations, furnishing or inspiring newspaper comments or producing his photographs to be published in connection with cases in which he has been engaged or concerned.”.The profession of law, deeply rooted in public trust and ethical standards, is fundamentally distinct from commercial business ventures, BCI stated."The Supreme Court of India has consistently maintained this stance, emphasizing that legal practice is a noble service focused on justice, integrity, and fairness, and must not be commodified through commercial advertising or solicitation. Such unethical commercialization erodes public trust and demeans the sanctity of the legal profession," the press release states..The release was issued at a time when law firm DSK Legal recently posted a reel on its Instagram handle featuring a Bollywood actor to promote itself as the best in the industry..The BCI has issued strict mandates to curb unethical legal advertising and misinformation by legal influencers. These include:Immediate removal of advertisements violating Rule 36.A ban on using Bollywood actors, celebrities, or influencers for legal promotions.Prohibition of banners, promotional materials, and digital ads for legal services.A strict ban on non-enrolled individuals providing misleading legal advice.No solicitation of legal work via social media or digital platforms.Digital platforms must enforce vetting mechanisms to remove misleading legal content..Through its press release, the BCI has warned that violations will lead to severe disciplinary actions, including suspension, cancellation of enrollment, contempt proceedings in the Supreme Court and complaints to digital platforms.It further urged advocates and digital platforms to uphold ethical standards, ensuring legal practice remains dignified and professional..In a press release issued in July last year, the BCI had reiterated its strong stance against unethical advertising by advocates, following a judgment by the Madras High Court on July 3, 2024.The Court had emphasised that advocacy is a noble profession meant for societal service, not commercial gain, and warned that online promotions compromise ethical standards.Following this judgment, the BCI had issued directives instructing all State Bar Councils to take disciplinary action against advocates advertising their services on platforms like Quikr, Sulekha, Just Dial and Grotal. The Court had also ruled that these platforms violate the Advocates Act, 1961, and the BCI Rules, denying them safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000.Referring to the Supreme Court’s ruling in AK Balaji v Union of India (2018), the BCI had affirmed its authority over individuals, firms, or companies engaging in legal practice, regardless of their designation.It had also raised concerns over advocates using religious and public events for self-promotion through banners and digital ads, calling it unethical and against professional integrity..[Read Press Release]
