The Bar Council of India, through its verification initiative commenced approximately two years ago, has discerned that a substantial proportion, nearing 50%, of legal practitioners across the nation may be operating under spurious credentials. This revelation was conveyed by the Chief of the Bar Council, Manan Kumar Mishra, in a recent communication to Chief Justice J S Khehar. As per Mishra’s disclosure, reported by The Times of India, the authentic representation within the legal fraternity appearing in court precincts throughout the country is estimated to range between 55-60%. He further apprised Chief Justice Khehar and other distinguished Supreme Court judges that the ongoing verification process has led to a reduction in the percentage of genuine legal practitioners to the aforementioned bracket of 55-60%.
“The number of practicing lawyers is about to come down to 55-60 per cent after the completion of the verification process. This will certainly improve the quality of our legal profession,” Mishra told a gathering of lawyers and judges at a function in New Delhi to felicitate CJI Khehar.
Citing figures, Mishra said, “As per the 2012 election statistics of BCI, we had almost 14 lakh voters, but since this verification process has started, we have received only 6.5 lakh applications.”
Voters comprise lawyers who are registered with different State Bar Councils, enabling them to practice law in the corresponding trial courts and high courts of the states.
Welcoming the CJI and other dignitaries, BCI chairman Mishra also extended his support to the CJI-headed collegium. “The BCI is seriously concerned about the delay tactics and objectionable conditions proposed by the government in the Memorandum of Procedure, a document to guide appointment of Supreme Court and high court judges,” he said.
The figures on fake lawyers saw CJI Khehar troubled. “I am so happy that BCI has started the verification process. But it is not only about people with false degrees, but also those with no degrees. These people work without a licence. They go to court and practice without any authority. We need to start much before, right from the institutions,” the CJI observed, adding that BCI’s Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules must root out unruly and criminal elements from the legal fraternity.
The CJI, who as a young lawyer defended Justice V Ramaswami during his impeachment proceedings by Parliament, had a word of advice in his speech: “Everyone needs a good, competent lawyer, be it the Prime Minister or a judge of the Supreme Court.”
He appealed to the Bar Council of India (BCI) to conduct training programs for young lawyers, aiming to instill a comprehensive understanding of the legal profession and its ethical standards. He further urged the foremost legal authority to enhance the caliber of legal institutions by providing training and assistance to litigants, thereby ensuring that lawyers are adequately equipped to fulfill their societal responsibilities competently.
“Lawyers serve society. Lawyers should be the best. The institution should be competent to discharge the obligation. Arrange training for people who join the bar. People who are scared – people who do not know their profession – help them. You need to help a lawyer one time, he will then fight every case by himself as he will understand how to search for the law. Also teach them ethics. Have good institutions,” he said.