Law Commission seeks lawyers' bodies suggestions on regulation of legal profession

NEW DELHI: Taking the first step twoards reviewing the regulating legal profession in the country, including matters like professional misconduct by lawyers, the Law Commission today asked various advocates' bodies to send their suggestions on the issue in the next one month.

The Supreme Court had earlier this month asked the law panel to review "all relevant aspects" relating to the law governing the legal profession, including issues like professional misconduct by lawyers, in consultation with all stakeholders.

The bench sought a review of the Advocates Act under which the lawyers are governed.

The direction came in a verdict by which the apex court upheld the conviction of an Uttar Pradesh-based advocate for criminal contempt for intimidating and threatening a civil judge in Etah.

The bench upheld the decision of the Allahabad High Court convicting advocate Mahipal Singh Rana of criminal contempt.

"The Supreme Court...has asked the Law Commission to go into all relevant aspects relating to regulation of legal profession in consultation with all concerned...the Commission has undertaken the study and requests the Bar Council of India and all State Bar Councils, Bar Association of the Supreme Court and Advocates on Records Association of Supreme Court, Advocates Associations' in the High Courts and their respective benches to send their comments within 30 days," the law panel said in a statement.

It said if need arises, it may decide on personal hearings.

The Law Commission advises government on complex legal issues but its recommendations are not binding.