New Delhi:
Amid opposition to their various provisions from the bar bodies, the government said on Saturday that it would amend the draft advocates (amendments) bill as it abolished public consultations starting earlier this month.
The Department of Legal Affairs in the Union Law Ministry floated the draft bill on 13 February for public consultation.
The government plans to amend the Advocates Act, 1961.
The draft bill, which faced criticism, proposed extensive changes in the definitions of a “legal businessman and” law graduate “.
Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, according to 2025, a law graduate is a person who has obtained a bachelor’s degree after completing three or five years or other such period course, as if a legal education has received a bachelor’s degree It is also determined by the university or a college established by the Center or Law or is a college affiliated to any university and is recognized by the Bar Council of India.
In a statement, the Law Ministry stated that the bill was placed in a public domain, which demonstrates the government’s commitment to transparency and comprehensive engagement with the stakeholders and the public.
“However, given the number of suggestions and concerns received, it has now been decided to end the consultation process,” it has been said.
Based on the response received, the draft bill, as “modified”, services for consultation with stakeholders will be processed, the ministry said.
Many times the bodies had opposed some provisions of the draft bill.
The opposition Congress also supported the opposed lawyers, saying that the bill was not only a “poor draft”, but it also failed to address the relevant issues facing the legal fraternity.
The draft bill defines a legal businessman as a lawyer or a law graduate, which is engaged in the practice of law before courts, tribunals or semi-judicial forums or do legal work in any private or public organization, But not limited to legal and autonomous bodies. Domestic and foreign law firm and corporate institutions.
So far, a legal businessman means a lawyer of any High Court or “Walk”, a petitioner, a “Mukhtar” or revenue agent.
When laying the draft bill in the public domain, the Ministry had asked these amendments with the aim of aligning legal profession and legal education with global best practices.
Improvements will focus on improving legal education, equipped with lawyers to meet the rapidly changing world demands and increase professional standards, it was said.
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