Professional Code of Ethics for Advocates (BCI)

1. Duty to the Court

  • Maintain dignity, respect, and courtesy in the court.
  • Conduct cases with fairness and honesty.
  • Do not influence court decisions through improper or illegal means.
  • Never delay court proceedings or misuse legal procedures.
  • Present the law accurately and avoid misleading the court.

2. Duty to the Client

  • Provide competent, sincere, and honest legal advice.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of client information.
  • Not demand unreasonable fees or share profits with non-advocates.
  • Not represent conflicting interests.
  • Give full effort, diligence, and loyalty while representing clients.

3. Duty to Opponents

  • Maintain fairness and courtesy towards opposing counsel.
  • Avoid personal attacks, insults, or unethical behaviour.
  • Respect the rights of opponents to present their case without obstruction.

4. Duty to Colleagues

  • Act with dignity and respect towards fellow advocates.
  • Help beginner advocates and promote ethical legal practice.
  • Not solicit clients through advertisements, personal influence, or unfair means.
  • Respect professional norms and maintain cooperative relationships.

5. Duty to Society

  • Promote justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
  • Provide legal assistance to the poor and disadvantaged (pro bono).
  • Not engage in unlawful activities or actions that harm public confidence in the legal system.
  • Encourage legal awareness and responsible citizenship.

6. Duty to Self and Profession

  • Maintain integrity, discipline, and professional honesty.
  • Keep knowledge updated with current laws and judgments.
  • Not allow personal interests or emotions to impact professional conduct.
  • Avoid any behaviour that brings disrepute to the legal profession.

7. Restrictions and Prohibitions (As per BCI Rules)

Advocates shall NOT:

  • Advertise or solicit work directly or indirectly.
  • Appear in matters where they have personal interest.
  • Be involved in business or employment inconsistent with the legal profession.
  • Take part in illegal, fraudulent, or corrupt practices.
  • Influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.

Conclusion

This Code promotes professional integrity, public trust, and high moral standards among advocates.
All law students and legal professionals are expected to follow these ethical principles as guided by the Bar Council of India (BCI)

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