
Delhi Bar Association Exempts Lawyers From Wearing Black Coats In Summer
The Delhi Bar Association (Tis Hazari) has exempted its members from wearing the compulsory black coats in summer in the district court.
The notice of May 24 said, "All the members are hereby informed that advocates are exempted from wearing black coats during summer, ie, from May 16 to September 30, as per the amendment in rule under Section 49 (1) (gg) of the Advocates Act of 1961." The provision empowers the Bar Council of India (BCI) to frame rules on the attire of advocates appearing before any court or tribunal and includes consideration of climatic conditions.
"The members are free to appear in courts subordinate to the Delhi High Court without wearing black coats. The members, however, are advised to adhere to the other rules of the dress code, which is mandatory for an advocate," said the notice signed by the association's secretary Vikas Goyal.

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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Graduates from law colleges lacking BCI approval will not be enrolled by state bar councils: Chairman
MUMBAI: The Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman and Rajya Sabha member Manan Kumar Mishra on Saturday cautioned aspiring lawyers that graduates from law colleges lacking BCI approval will not be enrolled by state bar councils or granted a Certificate of Practice. Graduates from law colleges lacking BCI approval will not be enrolled by state bar councils: Chairman Speaking to Hindustan Times on the sidelines of the convocation for the 2025–26 batch of the Kirit P Mehta School of Law, NMIMS, where he was chief guest, Mishra urged students to verify a college's approval status before admission — much like medical students check for recognition from the Medical Council of India. 'Students are bound to suffer if they study in unapproved colleges,' Mishra said. 'When we receive complaints about such institutions, we shut them down and impose heavy fines. But by then, the damage to students' careers is already done.' According to BCI's latest online list, several law colleges in Maharashtra are operating with expired approvals — some lapsed as early as 2013 — while others have not renewed recognition since 2018 or 2022. The list has triggered anxiety among students, many of whom say their colleges never informed them of the lapse. The consequences are severe. Without BCI approval, graduates are denied enrolment with their state bar council and the mandatory Certificate of Practice. Some applicants to LLM programmes within India have also been rejected for the same reason. 'It is a clear case of cheating,' Mishra said. 'Admitting students without BCI approval is playing with their futures.' The process for opening a law college involves obtaining a no-objection certificate from the state government, securing university affiliation, and finally, BCI approval. Mishra stressed that universities — as the immediate regulators — should ensure compliance before affiliation. 'We only approve colleges that are affiliated,' he said. 'If any college admits students without our approval, we usually find out only when complaints come from students.' Law student activist Sachin Pawar criticised lax oversight, saying some colleges secure approval merely by filing affidavits claiming adequate faculty and infrastructure. 'In reality, quality is neglected,' he said. 'We urge BCI to strengthen inspections like other professional bodies, so students receive proper legal education.' Mishra said BCI has introduced a system of surprise inspections by a panel led by a retired high court judge, accompanied by two or three senior law professors. These teams assess faculty, infrastructure, and academic standards, submitting a report within a month. Non-compliant institutions are closed. He painted a grim picture of the sector, estimating that 'more than 70% of colleges' lack basic facilities such as libraries or moot courts. 'Even LLMs and PhDs are sold in the market,' he alleged. 'That is why BCI has introduced the All India Bar Exam — as a filter to ensure only competent graduates enter the profession.' During the convocation, degrees were conferred upon graduates of BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), and LLM programmes, followed by the administration of a graduate oath and a sustainability pledge.


The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
State Bar Councils, BCI cannot charge any 'optional' fee from enrolling lawyers: Supreme Court
State Bar Councils or the Bar Council of India cannot collect any 'optional' fee other than the statutory charge from law graduates enrolling as lawyers, the Supreme Court has said, while asking the Karnataka State Bar Council to stop collecting any such amount. A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan passed the direction on a contempt plea filed by K.L.J.A. Kiran Babu, alleging that directions issued by this court in July last year on not charging exorbitant fees from enrolling law graduates by state bar councils, especially the Karnataka State Bar Council, are not being complied with in letter and spirit. The Bar Council of India, in its affidavit, said all state bar councils are complying with the directions of the court and the ₹6,800 charged by the Karnataka State Bar Council for ID cards, certificates, welfare fund, and training, among others, and ₹25,000 over and above the statutory fees are optional and not mandatory. 'We make it clear that there is nothing like optional. No State Bar Council(s) or Bar Council of India shall collect any fees of any amount as optional. They shall strictly collect fees in accordance with the directions issued by this court in the main judgment,' the bench said in its order passed on August 4. It further said that if the Karnataka State Bar Council is collecting any amount as optional, though it may not be mandatory, it must be stopped. During the hearing, the Bar Council of India chairman and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra stated that pursuant to the top court's July 2024 verdict, the council, being a statutory body, has written to all state bar councils on August 6 and directed them to strictly proceed with the enrolment of candidates in light of the judgment passed by this court. 'That after issuance of the letter, the BCI has firmly believed that all the State Bar Councils are adhering and complying with the judgment passed by this court in the matter,' the BCI said and gave a detailed chart of fees charged by different bar bodies of various states. On July 30 last year, the top court ruled that state bar councils cannot charge exorbitant fees for enrolling law graduates as lawyers, as it perpetuates systemic discrimination against marginalised and economically weaker sections, besides undermining their participation in the legal profession. The levy of exorbitant fees ranging from around ₹15,000 to over ₹40,000 by some state bar councils (SBCs) was 'contrary to the principle of substantive equality', the top court had held, adding the SBCs and the Bar Council of India (BCI) cannot 'alter or modify' the fiscal policy laid down by Parliament. It had said the bar bodies are delegates of powers under the Advocates Act, 1961 and SBCs and the BCI cannot charge more than ₹750 and ₹125 for enrolling law graduates from the general and SC-ST categories, respectively. The top court had said the decision of SBCs to charge fees and charges at the time of enrolment in excess of legal stipulation violated Article 14 (right to equality) and Article 19(1)(g) (right to practice a profession) of the Constitution. It had clarified that its decision would have a 'prospective effect', and SBCs were not required to refund the excess enrolment fees collected so far.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business Standard
State Bar Councils, BCI cannot charge 'optional' fee from new lawyers: SC
State Bar Councils or the Bar Council of India cannot collect any "optional" fee other than the statutory charge from law graduates enrolling as lawyers, the Supreme Court has said while asking the Karnataka State Bar Council to stop collecting any such amount. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan passed the direction on a contempt plea filed by K L J A Kiran Babu, alleging that directions issued by this court in July last year on not charging exorbitant fees from enrolling law graduates by state bar councils, especially the Karnataka State Bar Council are not being complied with in letter and spirit. The Bar Council of India, in its affidavit, said all state bar councils are complying with the directions of the court and the Rs 6,800 charged by the Karnataka State Bar Council for ID cards, certificates, welfare fund, and training, among others, and Rs 25,000 over and above the statutory fees are optional and not mandatory. "We make it clear that there is nothing like optional. No State Bar Council(s) or Bar Council of India shall collect any fees of any amount as optional. They shall strictly collect fees in accordance with the directions issued by this court in the main judgment," the bench said in its order passed on August 4. It further said that if the Karnataka State Bar Council is collecting any amount as optional, though it may not be mandatory, it must be stopped. During the hearing, the Bar Council of India chairman and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra stated that pursuant to the top court's July 2024 verdict, the council, being a statutory body, has written to all state bar councils on August 6 and directed them to strictly proceed with the enrolment of candidates in light of the judgment passed by this court. "That after issuance of the letter, the BCI has firmly believed that all the State Bar Councils are adhering and complying with the judgment passed by this court in the matter," the BCI said and gave a detailed chart of fees charged by different bar bodies of various states. On July 30 last year, the top court ruled that state bar councils cannot charge exorbitant fees for enrolling law graduates as lawyers, as it perpetuates systemic discrimination against marginalised and economically weaker sections, besides undermining their participation in the legal profession. The levy of exorbitant fees ranging from around Rs 15,000 to over Rs 40,000 by some state bar councils (SBCs) was "contrary to the principle of substantive equality", the top court had held, adding the SBCs and the Bar Council of India (BCI) cannot "alter or modify" the fiscal policy laid down by Parliament. It had said the bar bodies are delegates of powers under the Advocates Act, 1961 and SBCs and the BCI cannot charge more than Rs 750 and Rs 125 for enrolling law graduates from the general and SC-ST categories, respectively. The top court had said the decision of SBCs to charge fees and charges at the time of enrolment in excess of legal stipulation violated Article 14 (right to equality) and Article 19(1)(g) (right to practice a profession) of the Constitution. It had clarified that its decision would have "prospective effect" and SBCs were not required to refund the excess enrolment fees collected so far.