The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduces major reforms to the Advocates Act, 1961, modernizing the legal profession. It expands the definition of “legal practitioner” beyond advocates, revises “law graduate,” and adds provisions for experience certification and verification, enhancing transparency and accountability in the legal sector.
NEW DELHI : The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025 proposes substantial reforms to the Advocates Act, 1961, introducing key changes aimed at modernizing the legal profession. One of the most notable amendments is the broadening of the definition of “legal practitioner” to encompass legal professionals beyond practicing advocates. Additionally, the Bill revises the definition of “law graduate” and introduces a new provision for experience certification and verification, reinforcing transparency and accountability within the legal sector.
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Redefining “Legal Practitioner”
The proposed definition of “legal practitioner” under the Bill is as follows:
“Legal Practitioner” means any Advocate or law graduate engaged in the practice of law before courts, tribunals, or quasi-judicial forums, or performing legal work in any private or public organization, including but not limited to statutory and autonomous bodies, domestic and foreign law firms, and corporate entities.
This expanded definition marks a paradigm shift in the legal landscape, as it recognizes the diverse roles that law graduates and legal professionals occupy beyond traditional litigation.
Key Changes and Their Implications
- Revision of the Definition of “Advocate”
- Under the existing Advocates Act, specific roles such as vakil, pleader, mukhtar, and revenue agent were recognized. However, the new amendment omits these designations, effectively streamlining the terminology to a singular, modernized category of “Advocate.”
- This move suggests a phasing out of legacy designations, consolidating legal professionals under a more universally accepted term.
- Inclusion of Law Graduates as Legal Practitioners
- Presently, the definition of a legal practitioner excludes law graduates who have not yet enrolled as advocates.
- The amendment explicitly includes law graduates, acknowledging their role in various legal capacities, such as corporate legal departments, compliance roles, and legal consultancy, even if they do not formally represent clients before courts.
- Redefinition of “Practice of Law”
- Traditionally, “practice of law” was largely associated with court appearances and litigation.
- The revised definition expands the scope of legal practice to include legal work in statutory bodies, autonomous organizations, corporate legal departments, and law firms.
- This amendment grants statutory recognition to corporate lawyers and in-house counsel, a long-standing demand in the legal industry.
Recognition of Corporate Lawyers and In-House Counsel
This reform has been widely welcomed by legal professionals, particularly those working in corporate and in-house legal roles. Many General Counsel (GC) have lauded the move on professional platforms like LinkedIn.
Tejal Patil, General Counsel at Wipro, remarked:
“This marks the beginning of ‘Re-thinking, Re-defining, and Re-evolving’ the legal profession in India. We deeply appreciate the Hon’ble Law Minister’s vision in recognizing in-house lawyers as legal practitioners.”
Dr. Sanjeev Gemawat, Managing Director & Group General Counsel at Essar Group, expressed:
“Grateful to the Hon’ble Law Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal for spearheading these legal reforms and for incorporating the recommendations of GCAI in shaping these crucial amendments. These changes will enhance transparency, strengthen the legal framework, and elevate the integrity of the profession.”
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Introduction of Experience Certification
The amendment also introduces a new provision under Section 2(i) concerning experience certification for legal practitioners. Key highlights include:
- Experience certificates issued by State Bar Councils, Bar Associations, courts, tribunals, quasi-judicial forums, law firms, and corporate entities will now serve as official proof of legal practice.
- This provision aims to standardize the recognition of legal experience, benefitting those working in both litigation and non-litigation roles.
Revised Definition of “Law Graduate”
The Bill also seeks to amend Section 2(h) of the Advocates Act, 1961, expanding the definition of a “Law Graduate.” Key revisions include:
- Recognition of individuals holding a three-year or five-year law degree.
- Inclusion of other prescribed durations of legal education from recognized institutions.
- Recognition of degrees from Centers of Legal Education and universities approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI).
Public Consultation and Next Steps
On February 13, 2025, the Union Law Ministry circulated the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, inviting feedback from the public. This consultative approach ensures that legal professionals, academicians, and stakeholders have the opportunity to voice their perspectives before the Bill is enacted into law.
The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, represents a transformative shift in India’s legal framework. By broadening the scope of legal practitioners, recognizing corporate lawyers, and streamlining legal qualifications, the amendment aligns the legal profession with evolving industry standards. As India’s legal ecosystem continues to evolve, these reforms are expected to enhance professional recognition, transparency, and inclusivity across various legal domains.
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