Central Govt withdraws controversial amendments to Advocates Act after bar council, lawyers’ protests

In the wake of strong opposition from the Bar Council of India (BCI) and widespread protests by lawyers, the Union Law and Justice Ministry on Feb 22 withdrew the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The proposed amendments, published on Feb 13 and open for public consultation until Feb 28, had sparked concerns over government interference in the legal profession.

In a statement, the Ministry said the draft Bill was initially released on the Department of Legal Affairs website as part of an effort to maintain transparency and encourage stakeholder engagement. However, citing the volume of objections and suggestions received, the government decided to halt the consultation process and revise the Bill for further discussion.

The draft amendments sought to introduce significant changes to the Advocates Act, 1961, including provisions allowing government-nominated members on the BCI, regulatory powers over foreign lawyers and firms, and an expanded definition of "legal practitioner" to include those working with foreign entities. A controversial clause also proposed banning lawyer strikes and court boycotts.

The BCI, led by chairperson and BJP Member of Parliament Manan Kumar Mishra, strongly opposed the Bill, arguing it threatened the autonomy of the legal profession. In a letter to Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Mishra warned that the amendments could undermine the independence of the BCI and restrict lawyers' rights.

The Ministry had initially defended the Bill, stating it aimed to modernize the legal profession, enhance legal education, and align the sector with global best practices. However, amid mounting resistance, the government has now pledged to reconsider the amendments and reinitiate discussions with stakeholders.