Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, announced on Friday that the Advocates Act, 1961, is set to be amended to potentially include provisions beneficial to General Counsels (GCs). Speaking at a conference organized by the General Counsels’ Association India (GCAI), Meghwal highlighted the critical role GCs play within the corporate structure and the broader legal landscape.
The conference, themed “Rethink, Redefine, and Re-evolve the Legal Profession in India,” aimed to explore the status of GCs, who serve as chief legal officers in organizations, overseeing all legal matters, advising executives, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. A significant focus of the event was the push for statutory recognition of GCs, similar to that afforded to practicing advocates under the existing framework of the 1961 law.
During an interactive session, GCs presented a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis of their profession, pointing out their lack of statutory recognition as a primary weakness. Responding to this, Meghwal assured the attendees, stating, “You have many strengths, one weakness, and multiple opportunities.” He also emphasized the substantial contribution of GCs to the nation’s GDP across various economic sectors.
Dr. Lalit Bhasin, president of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), advocated for GCs’ right to statutory recognition, suggesting they could file a writ petition but recommended exploring administrative solutions first. His sentiments were echoed by retired Supreme Court Justices AK Sikri and Hima Kohli, who also attended as guests of honor.
Justice Sikri, now Chairperson of the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDSA), commended GCs for their deep understanding of India’s regulatory frameworks, a necessity in the era of free markets. Justice Kohli highlighted the evolving legal landscape, particularly in the context of challenges posed by technologies like Generative AI, stressing the importance of GCs in navigating these changes.
The event also featured insights from other prominent legal figures, including Senior Advocate Pinky Anand; Dr. Shardul Shroff, executive chairman of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.; Amit Singh, Partner at Linklaters; and Harsh Pais, Partner at A&O Shearman, all of whom supported the push for statutory recognition of in-house counsel.
