New Delhi, July 8, 2024 โ In a landmark decision, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a series of directives and cease-and-desist notices to prohibit the advertisement and solicitation of legal services. This move follows a recent judgment by the Madras High Court, which condemned lawyers for soliciting work through online platforms, contravening BCI regulations.
The Madras High Court’s ruling prompted the BCI to mandate that State Bar Councils take strict disciplinary actions against advocates engaged in such practices. In a comprehensive directive, the BCI has laid out specific measures to enforce these regulations.
Key Directives Issued by the BCI:
- Disciplinary Actions: State Bar Councils are to initiate disciplinary proceedings against lawyers found advertising or seeking work online. Actions may include suspension or removal from the roll of advocates, in strict adherence to Rule 36 of the BCI Rules.
- Complaints Against Online Platforms: The BCI has instructed the filing of complaints against online service providers that facilitate illegal lawyer advertisements. Notable platforms mentioned include Quikr, Sulekha, and Justdial.
- Removal of Illegal Advertisements: State Bar Councils must ensure the removal of advertisements by lawyers on these platforms and coordinate with government authorities to prevent future violations.
- Compliance Deadline: Online platforms have been given a four-week deadline to remove all content violating Rule 36 of the BCI Rules.
Additionally, cease-and-desist notices have been sent to the CEOs of Quikr India Pvt. Ltd., Sulekha.com New Media Pvt. Ltd., Just Dial Limited, and Grotal.com. The notices highlight two major violations: the illegal solicitation of work and the practice of providing ratings and pricing for lawyer services.
These online platforms are required to immediately remove listings, profiles, and advertisements related to legal practices and cease any operations that enable such activities. Failure to comply will result in legal action and penalties.
The deadline for submitting compliance reports from both the State Bar Councils and the online platforms is August 10, 2024.
This significant move by the BCI aims to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and ensure that all legal services are solicited in accordance with established rules and regulations.
