The Hindu : National : Lawyers can launch web sites

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Friday, Nov 23, 2007
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Lawyers can launch web sites

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Bar Council of India (BCI), which was opposing advertisement by lawyers in any form, has now permitted them to launch web sites to provide information on their address, speciality, standing, qualification, etc, with State Bar Council approval.

It was decided to amend the rules of professional conduct and ethics to permit advocates to provide web site information in the form prescribed by the BCI, Chairman S. Gopakumaran Nair told The Hindu here on Thursday. It would be scrutinised and verified by the BCI and the State Council.

Asked how violations would be dealt with, he said furnishing information in the nature of advertisement or soliciting clients would be treated as professional misconduct and action taken against the erring advocates either on the basis of complaints or suo motu by the BCI. The BCI would request the government to amend the Advocates Act to fix the upper age limit for enrolment at 40. Though some State Councils had already framed rules on an upper age limit, the Act should be amended, Mr. Nair said.

‘No’ to foreign lawyers

He reiterated the BCI’s opposition to opening up legal profession to foreign lawyers or foreign law firms at this juncture and to their functioning or practising in any form in India as advocates, lawyers or solicitors.

The BCI also wanted the Centre to institutionalise arbitration proceedings, bringing in amendments in the law. Another resolution requested the Centre and the State governments to implement a uniform scheme of Advocates Welfare Fund throughout the country.

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