Bar Council of India (BCI)

Bar Council of India Latest News

Recently, the Supreme Court declared that the Bar Council of India (BCI) and its chairperson lack jurisdiction to discipline or penalise law students. 

About Bar Council of India

• It is a statutory body created by Parliament to regulate and represent the Indian bar.
• It was established under the Advocates Act, 1961, based on the recommendations of the All India Bar Committee.
• Objective: Its main objective is safeguarding the rights, interests, and privileges of advocates throughout India.

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Functions of Bar Council of India

• Regulatory: It performs the regulatory function by prescribing standards of professional conduct and etiquette and by exercising disciplinary jurisdiction over the bar.
• Setting Standard: It also sets standards for legal education and grants recognition to Universities whose degrees in law will serve as qualification for enrolment as an advocate.
• BCI also funds welfare schemes for economically weaker and physically handicapped advocates.
• Other functions
  • It conducts the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) to grant a ‘Certificate of Practice’ to advocates practising law in India.
  • It also recognizes on a reciprocal basis foreign qualifications in law obtained outside India for admission as an advocate under this Act.

Composition of Bar Council of India

• It comprises members elected from each State Bar Council, the Attorney General of India, and the Solicitor of India, who serve as members automatically. 
• The members of the State Bar Councils are elected for five years. 
• The Council has the power to choose its own Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among its members, and they serve for two years.

Source: TH