September 13, 2026

Section 7 – Advocates Act: Functions of Bar Council of India

Advocates Act, 1961 — back to Table of Contents

Section 7. Functions of Bar Council of India

(1) The functions of the Bar Council of India are —

  • (b) to lay down standards of professional conduct and etiquette for advocates;
  • (c) to lay down the procedure to be followed by its disciplinary committee and the disciplinary committees of State Bar Councils;
  • (d) to safeguard the rights, privileges and interests of advocates;
  • (e) to promote and support law reform;
  • (f) to deal with and dispose of any matter referred to it by a State Bar Council;
  • (g) to exercise general supervision and control over State Bar Councils;
  • (h) to promote legal education and lay down standards of such education in consultation with Universities and State Bar Councils;
  • (i) to recognise Universities whose law degree qualifies for enrolment as an advocate, and to visit and inspect Universities for that purpose;
  • (ia) to conduct seminars and organise talks on legal topics by eminent jurists and publish journals and papers of legal interest;
  • (ib) to organise legal aid to the poor in the prescribed manner;
  • (ic) to recognise, on a reciprocal basis, foreign law qualifications obtained outside India for admission as an advocate;
  • (j) to manage and invest the funds of the Bar Council;
  • (k) to provide for the election of its members;
  • (l) to perform all other functions conferred on it by or under this Act;
  • (m) to do all other things necessary for discharging the aforesaid functions.

(2) The Bar Council of India may constitute one or more funds for financial assistance/welfare schemes, legal aid or advice, and establishing law libraries.

(3) The Bar Council of India may receive grants, donations, gifts or benefactions for the purposes in sub-section (2).