Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana Warns Against Commercialization of Legal Services

The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana (BCPH) has issued a stern warning to all advocates and Bar Associations against the unethical practice of advertising legal services through social media platforms, promotional videos, and influencer collaborations. The Council emphasized that such conduct violates Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules and may lead to suspension or cancellation of an advocate's licence. In a recent landmark ruling, the Madras High Court on July 3, 2024, reaffirmed that commercialization of legal services undermines public faith and the sanctity of the legal practice.

Key Takeaways:

The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has warned against commercialization of legal services, citing recent judicial pronouncements and growing concerns over unethical practices.
Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules prohibits advocates from soliciting work through any form of advertisement or public endorsement, including via digital platforms.
The Council has identified common practices such as indirect advertisements, online promotions, and publicizing favourable court outcomes with client photographs in newspapers as clear violations of ethical standards.
Recent concerns over "legal influencers" spreading misleading information online have been highlighted, regardless of their credentials.
The Bar Council has urged all presidents and secretaries of Bar Associations to disseminate the circular among their members and ensure strict compliance.
Office bearers of Bar Associations in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh will be held accountable if such practices continue under their watch.

Statistics:

As of July 2024, multiple advocates have been found soliciting work through indirect advertisements, online promotions, and publicizing favourable court outcomes with client photographs in newspapers.
According to the Madras High Court ruling on July 3, 2024, commercialization of legal services undermines public faith and the sanctity of the legal practice.
The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has found a growing number of advocates engaging in unethical practices despite previous directives.

Sources:

BCPH chairman Rakesh Gupta's communication to presidents and secretaries of various Bar Associations
Madras High Court ruling on July 3, 2024
Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules, specifically Rule 36