On 8 July 2026, the Bar Council of India (BCI) announced a series of measures to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment in Ajay Vijh v. Indian Banks Association, while welcoming the ruling as a reaffirmation of the independence and institutional role of the legal profession.
Key Highlights:
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The BCI welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment in Ajay Vijh v. Indian Banks Association, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 1295 dated 7 July 2026, delivered by a Bench comprising Justice P. S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe, observing that the ruling strengthens the position of advocates as independent stakeholders in the administration of justice.
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The Supreme Court has, through the judgment, recognised that the independence of the legal profession is as vital to the preservation of the rule of law and democracy as the independence of the judiciary itself.
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The Court reaffirmed that advocates are officers of the Court and indispensable stakeholders in the administration of justice, protection of constitutional freedoms and maintenance of the justice delivery system.
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The BCI particularly welcomed the Court’s declaration that issues relating to the professional conduct, competence, negligence or misconduct of advocates fall within the exclusive disciplinary jurisdiction of the statutory bodies constituted under the Advocates Act, 1961.
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The Court has directed BCI to constitute a committee to undertake a comprehensive performance audit of disciplinary mechanisms administered by the BCI and State Bar Councils.
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The audit will examine matters such as:
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Institution and disposal of disciplinary complaints;
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Pendency and timelines;
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Regional variations;
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Procedural practices;
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Infrastructure and staffing; and
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Transparency and effectiveness of disciplinary proceedings.
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The BCI also welcomed the Court’s emphasis on Continuing Legal Education and professional development for advocates after enrolment.
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The Court has proposed the establishment of a National Legal Academy for advocates, established on the lines of the National Judicial Academy, and directed the BCI to constitute a team of senior advocates, junior advocates and experts to examine and develop the proposal.
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According to the BCI, the proposed Academy could serve as a national institution for:
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Continuing professional development
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Ethical and advocacy training
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Technological capacity building
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Specialised legal education
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Mentorship initiatives
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Preservation of the profession’s values and traditions
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The Court further observed that reducing judicial pendency cannot be the responsibility of the judiciary alone and emphasised the Bar’s role as an equal institutional partner in the administration of justice.
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In response to the judgment, the BCI has announced that it will convene a meeting to constitute committees and expert groups for implementation of the Court’s directions, including preparing a framework for the proposed National Legal Academy.
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The BCI will also work on developing a structured national model for Continuing Legal Education, professional development, mentoring and specialised training of advocates.
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The Council has stated that it has already initiated the process of identifying suitable land, buildings and allied infrastructure for the establishment of the proposed Academy.
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The BCI has also proposed identifying technological, administrative and institutional reforms necessary for modernising the regulatory and educational framework governing the legal profession.
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The BCI stated that the judgment marks the beginning of a new institutional chapter for the legal profession and described it as a call to responsibility, renewal and collective action.
Also Read: BCI Reforms Legal Education: Legislative and Plain Language Drafting Now Part of LL.B. Curriculum
Also Watch: SCC Online Launches Advocates Directory for Verified Legal Professionals Visibility
[BCI Press Release, dt 8-7-2026]
