Advocates Act, 1961
Regulation of the Legal Profession in India
The Advocates Act, 1961 is the primary legislation governing the legal profession in India. It established the Bar Council of India (BCI) as the apex regulatory body and State Bar Councils as state-level regulators. The Act consolidated and amended the law relating to legal practitioners, replacing the Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926. It provides for the enrollment, discipline, and regulation of advocates.
- Section 4: Establishment of the Bar Council of India — consists of the Attorney General ex officio, the Solicitor General ex officio, and one elected member from each State Bar Council
- Section 3: State Bar Councils — include the Advocate General ex officio and 15-25 elected members (proportional representation); half must have at least 10 years' standing
- Section 6: Functions of State Bar Councils — admit advocates, maintain rolls, determine misconduct cases, safeguard advocates' interests, promote law reform, and organise legal aid
- Section 7: Functions of Bar Council of India — lay down standards of professional conduct, exercise general supervision over State Bar Councils, promote legal education
- Section 24: Persons who may be admitted as advocates — must be a citizen of India, 21+ years, hold a law degree recognised by BCI
- Section 35: Disciplinary proceedings — State Bar Council Disciplinary Committee can reprimand, suspend, or remove an advocate from the roll
● Tracked since February 19, 2026 · last seen September 03, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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