Delhi (24) – The Bar Council and Bar Associations strongly opposed the Union Law and Justice Ministry’s Advocate Reform Bill, which has been withdrawn.The proposed Advocates Amendment Act, 2025, sought to amend the Advocates Act, 1961. The advocate reform draft was open for public scrutiny from February 13 to February 18. In this new draft, lawyers were prohibited from contacting and boycotting court proceedings. There was strong displeasure on this from the lawyers’ associations. The lawyers had started a strike for five days to oppose the draft. In the end, the government had to withdraw this bill, taking a yielding policy. The Union Law Ministry clarified that while the draft was kept open for public scrutiny, it would be reprocessed in consultation based on the feedback and suggestions received.In a letter written to Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Bar Council chief Manan Kumar Mishra said that the law would threaten the autonomy of lawyers. Hence, Kumar Mishra is also an MP of Bharatiya Janata Party. Congress leader and head of the legal unit of the Congress, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, while talking to the media, explained that instead of creating a proper platform for lawyers to present their case or voice their grievances, the courts are taking away the right to boycott lawyers. The bill allows the government to interfere in the functioning of professional regulatory bodies.The impact of this law was felt all over India. More protests against it were held in Lucknow and the North. BCI has appealed to withdraw the strike, which has been going on since February 24, and start court proceedings.
By Anupriya Gaikwad
For True to Life News Media Pvt. Ltd.