New Delhi | Amid opposition to its various provisions from bar bodies, the government on Saturday said it will revise the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill as it ended the public consultations on it that started earlier this month.
The Department of Legal Affairs in the Union law ministry floated the draft bill on February 13 for public consultations.
The government plans to amend the Advocates Act, 1961.
The draft bill, which faced criticism, proposed sweeping changes in the definitions of a "legal practitioner and a "law graduate".
According to the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a law graduate is a person who has obtained a bachelor's degree after completing a course of three or five years or such other duration as prescribed by any centre of legal education or university established by law or a college affiliated to any university and recognised by the Bar Council of India.
In a statement, the law ministry said the bill was put in the public domain, demonstrating the government's commitment to transparency and broader engagement with stakeholders and the public.
"However, considering the number of suggestions and concerns received, it has been decided to conclude the consultation process now," it said.
Based on the feedback received, the draft bill, "as revised", will be processed afresh for consultations with stakeholders, the ministry said.
Several bar bodies had opposed certain provisions of the draft bill.
The opposition Congress had also backed the protesting lawyers, saying the bill was not only "poorly drafted", but it also failed to address pertinent issues facing the legal fraternity.
The draft bill defines a legal practitioner as an advocate or a law graduate engaged in the practice of law before courts, tribunals or quasi-judicial forums or doing legal work in any private or public organisation, including but not limited to statutory and autonomous bodies, domestic and foreign law firms and corporate entities.
As of now, a legal practitioner means an advocate or a "vakil" of any high court, a pleader, a "mukhtar" or revenue agent.
While putting the draft bill in the public domain, the ministry had said these amendments aimed at aligning the legal profession and legal education with global best practices.
The reforms will focus on improving legal education, equipping lawyers to meet the demands of a rapidly-changing world and raising professional standards, it had said.
New Delhi | The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Saturday requested bar associations and legal professionals to refrain from strikes, saying there was a "positive development" of the government agreeing to revise the Advocates (Amendment) Bill of 2025.
A communication by senior advocate and BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said, "In light of the numerous suggestions and concerns raised by the legal fraternity, the Ministry of Law and Justice has decided to conclude the consultation process and reprocess the revised draft of the Bill for further consultation."
It said the decision demonstrated the government's commitment to ensuring a fair, transparent and inclusive legislative process after taking serious note of the concerns raised by advocates across the country.
The communication further said the government was willing to accommodate meaningful dialogue and ensure that reforms in legal education and practice align with the interests of advocates.
It said, "In view of these positive developments, the BCI urges all bar associations and legal professionals to refrain from premature protests or strikes. The government has demonstrated a constructive and receptive approach, and the BCI remains resolute in ensuring that the amendments to the Advocates Act, 1961, are made only after due consultation and in the best interests of the legal fraternity."
The communication said the BCI had been in continuous dialogue with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, raising the concerns of the legal fraternity.
Meghwal had assured that all contentious issues shall be thoroughly examined and appropriately addressed before finalising the bill, it said.
"He (Meghwal) further reaffirmed that no provision shall be enacted that undermines the autonomy, independence and dignity of the legal profession," the communication said.
"The BCI assures all advocates that their rights, privileges and professional independence remain its top priority and will continue to safeguard the interests of the legal community with utmost vigilance," it added.
