Bar body cautions against advertising by lawyers on social media

New Delhi: The Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) has issued a "notice of caution" against lawyers advertising legal services on social media.

"Many lawyers are indulging in posting contents and videos to solicit work by way of advertisement either directly or indirectly through circulars advertising personal interactions, interviews, producing their photographs to publish in connection with the cases, etc.," read the BCD notice issued on August 4.

The council wants lawyers to refrain from unethical canvassing, infringing upon professional ethics and the dignity of legal practice.

"In the age of internet and digital media, there has been a steep rise in the self-styled legal influencers, which has in fact compounded the issue," the notice signed by the council chairman Surya Prakash Khatri said.

The BCD also expressed serious concerns about "the rapid growth of legal influencers" who did not possess appropriate credentials and spread "misinformation on critical legal issues".

The notice said such activities were prohibited under Section 36 of the Bar Council of India rules.

The section titled "Standards of professional conduct and etiquette to be observed by advocates", prohibits lawyers from soliciting work or advertising, directly or indirectly, to ensure that the legal profession remains an honourable service.

"Any violation of the aforesaid rule amounts to serious misconduct and an Advocate can be held guilty to be proceeded against under section 35 (disciplinary proceedings against advocates for professional or other misconduct) of the Advocates Act, which can lead to suspension or cancellation of the licence to practice as an Advocate.

"All such advocates who are active on social media in this regard, as mentioned above, may remove their contents, or otherwise action shall be initiated on individual cases under section 35 of the Advocates Act," the notice added.