The Union Law Ministry has decided to revise the contentious Advocates (Amendment) Bill 2025 following widespread protests and feedback from legal professionals. In a significant move, the government will hold fresh consultations with stakeholders after revising the draft, signaling a collaborative approach to address concerns raised by the legal fraternity.
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On Saturday, the Law Ministry informed the Bar Council of India (BCI) that the proposed amendments to the Advocates Act, 1961, would be revised and subjected to renewed public consultation. This decision comes after nationwide protests by lawyers and bar associations, who criticized the Bill’s current form for overlooking key concerns of the legal community.
The Ministry stated, “Considering the number of suggestions and concerns received, it has decided to conclude the consultation process now. Based on the feedback, the revised draft will undergo fresh consultations with stakeholders.”
In response, the BCI urged bar associations and lawyers to suspend their protests and resume court activities starting February 24, 2025. Highlighting the government’s willingness to reconsider the Bill, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra emphasized, “The Government has demonstrated a constructive approach. The Council requests all Bar Associations to resume court work from Monday.”
The BCI’s appeal follows assurances from Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal, who pledged to thoroughly examine contentious clauses before finalizing the legislation. The Council reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights and professional independence of advocates.
Background
The Advocates (Amendment) Bill 2025 was made public for consultation on February 13, 2025, by the Department of Legal Affairs. However, it quickly drew criticism for proposed changes perceived as undermining the autonomy of legal professionals. Key concerns included ambiguous disciplinary provisions and potential government overreach in regulating the profession.
Bar associations nationwide organized strikes, calling the Bill “anti-lawyer.” The BCI intervened, conveying these grievances to the Law Ministry, which ultimately agreed to revise the draft.
