BCI urges lawyers to suspend protests, says Law Ministry open to changes in Advocates Amendment Bill

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has urged lawyers to withdraw their ongoing protests against the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in light of the fact that the bar body's discussions with the Union Law Ministry regarding concerns about the bill are progressing positively..Lawyers in Delhi and some other areas have been protesting the proposed changes to the Advocates Act of 1961. In a letter addressed to the Bar Council of Delhi, the Delhi High Court Bar Association and all District Court Bar Associations of Delhi, the BCI emphasized that continued protests by lawyers could hinder ongoing negotiations with the Law Ministry to resolve lawyers' grievances with regard to the changes to the Act."Accordingly, we request and direct the Coordination Committee of all District Bar Associations of Delhi also, to convey this message effectively to their respective members and ensure the restoration of normal functioning in courts from tomorrow," the letter dated February 20 said. The BCI added that senior officials from the Law Ministry, including Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal and the Law Secretary have assured cooperation and have considered the BCI's concerns regarding the bill."The discussions, have yielded substantial clarity and positive assurances regarding the genuine concerns of the legal fraternity on the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill," the letter stated. .Earlier, the BCI had written to the Law Ministry opposing certain provisions of the Advocates Amendment Bill and had put forth recommendations.The issues flagged included those on the addition of government nominees to the BCI, the ban on lawyers' strikes, the manner in which foreign lawyers practicing in India are proposed to be regulated, the revised definition of who a legal practitioner is, the failure to include any express provision concerning welfare schemes for lawyers, and more.In its earlier letter, the BCI had flagged concern that the bill, in its present form, could demolish the very concept of autonomy and independence of the bar. The latest letter acknowledges a shift in the Law Ministry’s stance, signaling a possible accommodation of the BCI's suggestions to resolve concerns expressed by lawyers about the bill. "We engaged in a threadbare deliberation with the Hon'ble Law Minister along with the Law Secretary and senior officers of the Ministry. Subsequently, a focused discussion was conducted with the Law Secretary and his team, wherein various reservations, apprehensions, and expectations of the legal community concerning the Bill were dissected and addressed with due seriousness," the letter said. .The BCI further said that after deliberations, the Law Minister categorically assured that all contentious issues raised by the legal fraternity would be carefully examined and suitably addressed before the enactment of the bill..However, continued protests by State bar associations and lawyers’ bodies might disrupt the constructive dialogue with the government, the BCI added while urging lawyers to call off their agitations against the bill for now. "The Government has demonstrated a constructive approach and is receptive to our suggestions. Therefore, the need of the hour is to engage through dialogue rather than resorting to strike/boycott," the BCI appealed.The BCI asserted that no provision of the bill would be passed into law if it is against the interests of lawyers or the autonomy of the legal profession.It also informed that a meeting of all State Bar Councils is scheduled for February 23, where any further course of action would be decided collectively."If it is felt that there is a necessity of any protest or agitation on any issue, the Bar Council of India will give such call at an appropriate time for a nation-wide protest. At present, there is no such need as the Government's approach is positive on Lawyers issues and Bar Council of India's representation," the letter added. The matter continues to be under discussion, with the Law Ministry expected to review the recommendations in the coming weeks..[Read Letter]