The Supreme Court of India proposed that the Bar Council of India mandate attorneys enrolled post-2010 to include their All India Bar Examination status in their vakalatnama. This aims to enhance transparency and regulatory compliance, linking non-compliance to misconduct under the Advocates Act. The court also questioned the enrolment fee structure.
The Bar Council of India’s proposal to raise the enrolment fee for lawyers from Rs 750 to Rs 25,000 has faced backlash, with critics arguing it infringes on constitutional rights and creates financial barriers for underprivileged aspirants. Legal professionals demand transparency and accountability while advocating for a more gradual fee adjustment or free enrolment options.
The Supreme Court today has mandated that State Bar Councils and the Bar Council of India cannot charge lawyers more than Rs 600 for enrolment fees, in accordance with Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act. This decision aims to make the enrolment process accessible and affordable, consistent with the Act. The ruling allows charges for legal aid services, but not during enrolment.
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