Legal Profession in India

About this unit

This unit looks at lawyers as a profession. It explains how the Advocates Act, 1961 created a unified legal profession regulated by the Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils, what ethical duties advocates owe to the court, clients, opponents and society, how legal education is organised, and what careers are open to law graduates. It also discusses how liberalisation, technology and the entry of women have changed the profession.

Key ideas

• The Advocates Act, 1961 created a single class of legal practitioners called advocates.
• The Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils regulate enrolment, conduct and discipline.
• The BCI Rules lay down standards of professional conduct and etiquette.
• Advertising and soliciting work are restricted for advocates.
• Five-year integrated law degrees and National Law Universities reshaped legal education.
• Law graduates can work in litigation, corporate practice, judiciary, academia, policy and more.
• Women were barred from legal practice in India until 1923.

How to prepare

Learn the structure and functions of Bar Councils, the main ethical duties with examples, and the milestones for women in law. Expect case-style questions asking whether an advocate's conduct is proper.