New Delhi, Mar 17 (UNI) The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a strict warning against the rising trend of unethical legal advertising and misleading social media promotions, stating that such practices amount to professional misconduct under the Advocates Act, 1961 and Bar Council of India Rules.
In an official press release, the BCI condemned the involvement of Bollywood actors, celebrities and digital influencers in promotional campaigns for law firms and legal services. The Council specifically highlighted the violation of Rule 36, Chapter II, Part VI of the BCI Rules, which prohibits advocates from directly or indirectly soliciting work.
"The Bar Council of India strongly condemns the unethical practice of advocates advertising their legal services through social media, promotional videos, and influencer endorsements. The use of Bollywood actors and celebrities as promotional tools is a clear violation of professional ethics and legal discipline," the statement read.
The BCI also raised concerns over the increasing number of self-styled legal influencers spreading misinformation on critical legal issues such as matrimonial disputes, taxation, intellectual property rights, citizenship laws, privacy rights, and GST compliance.
It noted that misleading interpretations of landmark judgments including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Right to Privacy ruling in Justice K S Puttaswamy (retired) versus Union of India, and GST regulations have led to widespread confusion and undue judicial burden.
The BCI has now mandated that there will be a ban on Bollywood actors, celebrities and influencers from promoting legal services.
The BCI directed the Immediate removal of banners, promotional materials, and digital advertisements related to law firms and legal practices.
Prohibition on the dissemination of misleading and unauthorized legal advice by non-enrolled individuals.
BCI warned that strict action will be taken against advocates soliciting work through social media or digital platforms.
Digital platforms must implement strict vetting mechanisms for legal content and remove misleading information, BCI said.
Recently, DSK Legal faced controversy for sharing an Instagram reel featuring a Bollywood actor endorsing the firm. This incident has drawn sharp criticism from the legal community.
The BCI also referred to a recent Madras High Court ruling that condemned the solicitation of legal work through online platforms.
The judgment held that online legal directories, such as Quikr India, Sulekha.com, Just Dial Limited, and Grotal.com, are violating BCI Rules and the ethical standards of the profession.
The court denied these platforms any protection under the safe harbour provisions of Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, citing their active role in promoting unethical practices.
In light of this, the BCI has directed all State Bar Councils to take immediate disciplinary action against advocates involved in online advertising, paid promotions, and social media solicitations.
The press release also reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s ruling in A K Balaji vs Union of India (2018), which held that all entities engaging in legal practice—whether individuals, firms, associations, or even BPOs—fall under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Bar Council of India.
The BCI has warned that any violation of these directives will result in severe disciplinary action, including suspension, cancellation of enrollment, and possible contempt proceedings before the Supreme Court.
UNI SNG SS