Bar Council of India

5.Bar Council of India: Recently, the Union government proposed an amendment to the Advocates Act, 1961.

• About: The Bar Council of India is a statutory body that regulates and represents the Indian bar, was created by Parliament under the Advocates Act, 1961. 
• Structure of the Bar Council of India: Consists of 18 Members. 

oThe Attorney General of India and the Solicitor General of India are Ex-officio Members of the council and the other 16 Members represent the 16 State Bar Councils in the country. 

oThe Members are elected for a period of five years and the Chairman and Vice -Chairman are elected for a period of two years from among the Members of the Bar Council of India. 

oThe Bar Council further consists of various committees viz., Legal Education Committee, Disciplinary Committee, Executive Committee, Legal Aid Committee, Advocates Welfare Fund Committee, Rules Committee and various other Committees formed to look into specific issues arising from time to time.

• About Key Provisions of the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025
• Prohibition on Lawyer Strikes: Under New Section 35A, advocates cannot call for boycotts or abstain from court work, nor cause obstruction in court functioning.
• Violation = Misconduct: Punishable under the Act and regulations.
• Exception: Advocates may strike only if it does not disrupt justice, e.g., symbolic or one-day token strikes for professional concerns.
• Government Nominees in Bar Council of India (BCI): Centre can nominate up to three members to BCI (Section 4).
• Existing Members: Attorney General, Solicitor General, and one member from each State Bar Council.
• Power of the Central Government (New Section 49B): Centre can direct BCI on matters necessary for executing provisions of the Act or related rules.