Government Withdraws Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025 After Strong Opposition from Lawyers
The Union Law Ministry has withdrawn the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after facing strong objections from the Bar Council of India (BCI) and widespread protests by lawyers. The draft Bill, which was published on February 13 for public consultation, proposed major changes to the Advocates Act, 1961. However, due to concerns raised by the legal community, the government has decided to rework the Bill before further consultations.
Why Was the Bill Withdrawn?
The draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill aimed to introduce significant reforms in the legal profession, including:
Government nomination of up to three members to the Bar Council of India.
Allowing the government to issue directions to the BCI.
Expanding the definition of a "legal practitioner" to include lawyers working with foreign law firms and corporate entities.
Prohibiting lawyers’ strikes and boycotts of court work as per the proposed amendment to the Advocates Act, 1961.
These provisions were met with severe criticism from the Bar Council of India and lawyers across the country. The main concern was that these changes would affect the autonomy of the legal profession and weaken the independence of the Bar Council.
Objections from the Bar Council of India
The Bar Council of India (BCI) strongly opposed the draft Bill, stating that it could give excessive control to the government over the regulation of lawyers. In a letter to Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, BCI Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra argued that allowing government nominees in the BCI would compromise its independence.
Lawyers also raised concerns about the proposed ban on boycotts and strikes, citing that such measures could limit their ability to protest against judicial or governmental actions that may impact the profession and justice system. The draft Bill introduced a new section in the Advocates Act, 1961, explicitly prohibiting boycotts or abstention from court work.
Lawyers' Protests Across India
After the draft Bill was made public, lawyers across the country protested, demanding its immediate withdrawal. Strikes and demonstrations were held in several cities, expressing dissatisfaction with the proposed changes. The strong reaction from the legal fraternity forced the government to reconsider its stance.
Government’s Response
Following the backlash, the Union Law Ministry announced that the Bill would be withdrawn and revised after further consultation with stakeholders. In its statement, the Ministry emphasized that the government is committed to transparency and will engage with legal professionals before finalizing any amendments.
The Ministry also mentioned that the purpose of the amendments was to modernize legal education, improve the legal profession, and bring Indian law practices in line with global standards. However, it acknowledged that the concerns of lawyers must be addressed before moving forward.
What Happens Next?
With the withdrawal of the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the government will now:
Conduct further consultations with the Bar Council of India and other legal professionals.
Revise the Bill based on the feedback received.
Reintroduce a new version of the Bill that balances legal reforms with the independence of the legal profession.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is a victory for lawyers and the Bar Council of India, who stood firm to protect the autonomy of the legal profession. While legal reforms are necessary, they must be made in consultation with stakeholders to ensure fairness and independence in the profession. The legal community now awaits the revised version of the Bill, hoping it will address concerns while also improving the legal system in India.
--Source: Latest News Updates from Various News Papers.
