No proposal to regulate fee charged by lawyers: Government

NEW DELHI: There is no proposal pending before the government or the Bar Council of India to regulate the fee charged by advocates, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said in a written reply that as per the Bar Council of India, the standard of professional conduct and etiquettes for lawyers, including charging of fee, is prescribed in the council's rules.

He was asked whether the government is aware that a large number of advocates are charging high fees from their clients, including those belonging to the poor sections of the society.

"At present, there is no proposal pending with the government/BCI to regulate the fee charged by advocates. However, since the charging of high fee relates to the standard of professional conduct and etiquettes of advocates, the representations received in this regard are forwarded to BCI for necessary action as deemed appropriate," he said.

According to the council, advocates charge fee from their client as per their standing and seniority in the Bar.