Law Commission told to revisit Advocates Act

New Delhi: Expressing serious concern over the deviant conduct and behaviour of lawyers across the country, the Supreme Court has asked the Law Commission to revisit the Advocates Act as there is an urgent need to review the provisions dealing with regulatory mechanism for the legal profession.

A three-judge Bench comprising Justices Anil R. Dave, Kurian Joseph and A.K. Goel said legal profession being the most important component of justice delivery system, the Bar Council of India and State bar councils  must continue to perform their significant role and regulatory mechanism and should not be seen to be wanting in taking prompt action against any malpractice.

Writing the judgment Justice Dave said there appears to be an urgent need to review the provisions of the Advocates Act dealing with regulatory mechanism for the legal profession and other incidental issues, in consultation with all concerned.

The Bench requested the Law Commission of India to go into all relevant aspects relating to regulation of legal profession in consultation with all concerned at an early date.

“We hope the Government of India will consider taking further appropriate steps in the light of report of the Law Commission within six months thereafter,” the Bench said.

Giving this direction the Bench upheld the conviction of a UP-based lawyer Mahipal Singh Rana for contempt of court for threatening a judge.