Digital Solicitation and Advertising: Everlasting Legal Controversies
by Vasanth Rajasekaran* and Harshvardhan Korada**
BCI
BCI bans illegal solicitation of legal services by lawyers on online portals after Madras HC decision
“The Madras High Cour had remarked that the process of delivery of Justice is strongly based on the Constitution, and lawyers being the upholders of law cannot treat the profession as a business.”
Madras HC directs Bar Councils to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Advocates advertising and soliciting work through Online Service Providers
“Branding culture in the legal profession is detrimental to society. Ranking or providing customer ratings to lawyers is unheard of and demeans the ethos of the profession. Professional dignity and integrity must never be compromised especially in the legal profession.”
Karnataka HC directs Bar Council of India to update its website to reflect the current status of affiliated law colleges/universities
The Court was perusing a writ petition filed by BMS College of Law wherein they had submitted that BCI’s website was not updated regarding the College’s current affiliation status.
Know Thy Judge | Justice Ritu Bahri, First Woman Chief Justice of Uttaranchal High Court
Justice Ritu Bahri took oath of office as the 13th Chief Justice of Uttaranchal High Court on 04-02-2024.
Telangana High Court directs Bar Council of India to examine the eligibility of final year law students for AIBE
“Bar Council of India is directed to examine the representation of the petitioner after taking note of the Supreme Court’s observations in the case of Bar Council of India v. Bonnie Foi Law College.”
Delhi High Court imposes costs on IIT Kanpur alumni for filing frivolous litigations against Union, State authorities, departments, trusts etc.
The present case is a classic example of frivolous and vexatious litigation, where this Court encounters incoherent and confusing stories in the name of facts and absurd reliefs. Filing such cases as the present one is doubtlessly not only frivolous and vexatious, but annoying and such a litigant must be subject to some kind of sanction.
Purpose of Auction is to give an opportunity to intending bidders to participate and fetch higher realizable value of a property: SC
The process of bidding takes place in a situation where large number of people show their willingness to buy a particular product or a service and auction is a process that involves buying and selling goods and services by offering them for bids, taking bids and selling the item to the highest bidder.
BCI rule mandating Law degree from recognised College for enrolment as an Advocate, valid: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court held that the rule framed by BCI requiring a candidate for enrolment as an Advocate to have completed his law course from a college recognized/ approved by BCI cannot be said to be invalid.
BCI signs MoU with Law Society and Bar Council of England and Wales for mutual exchange of legal practitioners
On 5-6-2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (‘MoU’) was signed between the Bar Council of India, Law Society of England and Wales and
SCBA condemns BCI for opposing same-sex marriage hearing before Supreme Court
BCI had earlier opposed the ongoing same sex hearing before Supreme Court saying that the matter should be left for Parliament to decide.
36 Law Schools issue statement condemning BCI’s resolution on same sex marriage
The Queer Alliance (QA), Savitri Phule Ambedkar Caravan (SPAC) and the Feminist Alliance (AOW) have collectively issued a statement in opposition to
Pursuing Master of Law Program not to be considered as a break in practice of an advocate: Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court holds that pursuing Master of Law Program would not be considered as a break in practice of an advocate as per Resolution No. 160/2009 passed by Bar Council of India. Further, the advocate is not required to suspend his enrolment to pursue the said program.
[Enrolment fees] Supreme Court issues notices to Union Government, Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils
Supreme Court will be examining the validity of exorbitant enrolment fees charged by State Bar Councils
BCI clarifies on entry of foreign law firms and lawyers in India
On the pretext of some misgivings in circulation regarding the recently published BCI notification allowing entry of foreign lawyers and law firms in India, BCI clarified the restricted scope for practice.
Bar Council of India opens the doors for Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India
On the pretext of the words by V.R. Krishna Iyer, J. on the Indian legal profession being treated among the noble professions, and restricting commercial competition or procurement associated with the legal profession, Bar Council of India allows entry of foreign lawyers and foreign law firms in India.
Tribunals have no authority to issue instructions determining dress code for appearance of Advocates: Madras High Court
Madras High Court reiterated that wearing “gown” is only optional and not mandatory before any Courts other than the Supreme Court or the High Courts. Thus, it held that the order of the National Company Law Board imposing a dress code for Advocates for appearance before the Tribunal is without authority and hence, illegal.
[BCI circular] Kerala High Court directs college to consider 5-year LL.B. admission to Polytechnic/Diploma holder
Kerala High Court directed the law college Principal to consider petitioner's admission to 5-year LL.B. course, disqualified on the ground of academic qualification. The Bar Council of India recently updated qualification for admission to 5-year LL.B. course allowing students of 3-year Diploma/Polytechnic courses.
Disclosure of inspection reports of the law colleges in public domain will benefit students: CIC to BCI
Central Information Commission (CIC): Saroj Punhani, Information Commissioner addressed a matter with regard to the disclosure of the inspection reports of the
Ker HC | Relax 20 weeks internship requirement for final year Law students; HC directs Government Law College of Ernakulam
Kerala High Court: P.B.Suresh Kumar, J., directed the Government Law College, Ernakulam to relax the requirement of 20 weeks internships for the