The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Monday (March 17, 2025) raised serious concern over the rapid growth of self-styled legal influencers on social media noting many of them without possessing appropriate credentials, spread misinformation on critical legal issues.
In a statement, the body which regulates the legal profession in India, said, “Many such legal influencers who without possessing appropriate credentials, spread misinformation on critical legal issues such as matrimonial disputes, taxation, intellectual property rights, citizenship laws, privacy rights, and GST compliance”.
“Incorrect or misleading interpretations of landmark judgments like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Right to Privacy ruling in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India, and GST regulations have resulted in widespread confusion, misguided legal decisions, and undue judicial burden,” the body said.
The BCI also issued a “stringent warning” against the increasingly prevalent and unethical practice of advocates advertising their legal services through social media, promotional videos, and influencer endorsements.
“The BCI expressly denounces the involvement of Bollywood actors, celebrities, and digital media platforms as promotional tools, which clearly violate Rule 36, Chapter II, Part VI of the BCI Rules,” the statement said.
In July last year, the BCI had issued a press release where it “explicitly” warned advocates against unethical practices of advertising their legal services following a judgment of the Madras High Court.
In the ruling, the Madras High Court highlighted that promotional activities through online platforms severely compromise ethical standards and professional integrity.
The body also took note of advocates leveraging religious, cultural, or public events for self-promotion through banners, stalls, and digital advertisements. “Such methods clearly constitute unethical canvassing, infringing upon professional ethics and the dignity of legal practice,” it said.
Cautioning that prompt action will be initiated against unethical online practices, the BCI asked advocates to immediately withdrawal advertisements. It also issued prohibition against utilizing Bollywood actors, celebrities, or influencers for legal practice promotions.
It called for swift removal of banners, promotional materials, and digital advertisements related to legal practices and absolute prohibition on the use of social media or digital platforms to directly or indirectly solicit legal work.
It also ordered mandatory cessation of misleading and unauthorized legal advice dissemination by non-enrolled individuals. “Digital platforms must establish stringent vetting mechanisms for legal content and swift removal of misleading information,” it added.
Published – March 17, 2025 05:14 pm IST