The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Bar Council of India (BCI) on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking strict regulation of advocates’ use of social media for advertising, client solicitation and promotional activities, alleging that such practices violate the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Bar Council of India Rules. The petition also seeks the formulation of a comprehensive Digital Ethics Code and Code of Digital Professional Conduct for lawyers.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana issued notice to the BCI and directed it to file its response by September 15.
The petition contends that there has been a rapid and unchecked increase in digital solicitation and commercialisation of the legal profession through platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. It alleges that some advocates are using promotional reels, monetised legal content, influencer collaborations, paid advertisements and other forms of digital publicity to attract clients, thereby undermining the dignity, ethics and independence of the legal profession.
According to the plea, a significant amount of such content is recorded within court premises, with advocates appearing in official court attire. It alleges that these videos frequently display advocates’ contact details, claims of specialisation, client testimonials, depictions of criminal proceedings and sensational legal commentary designed to attract prospective litigants. The petition argues that such activities amount to indirect solicitation prohibited under Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules. It further submits that using advocates’ robes, bands and court premises for promotional content violates the statutory rules governing professional dress, courtroom decorum and ethical conduct.
The petition argues that merely describing such videos as legal awareness campaigns, educational content or know-your-rights initiatives does not exempt them from the prohibition on advertising when their dominant purpose is self-promotion, commercial visibility or client acquisition. It further submits that the advocates’ robe is an institutional symbol representing the dignity and authority of the justice delivery system and cannot be used as a branding or marketing tool.
The plea further contends that increasing dependence on social media popularity is eroding professional standards by encouraging advocates to compete for digital influence rather than legal competence and professional merit. It argues that legal services are gradually being projected as commercial commodities capable of being marketed through digital platforms.
The petition also refers to the BCI’s press release dated March 17, 2025, cautioning advocates against promotional activities through influencers and celebrities and warning that disciplinary proceedings could be initiated for such conduct. It further relies on the Supreme Court Bar Association’s resolution prohibiting videography and the creation of reels within the Supreme Court premises. The petition also cites the Madras High Court’s judgment dated July 3, 2024, which recognised lawyer rankings, digital solicitation and lead-generation mechanisms as impermissible.
Drawing a parallel with institutional restrictions elsewhere, the petition also relies on a circular issued by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) prohibiting the creation of reels and social media content within hospital premises. It argues that constitutional courts require even greater protection to preserve their sanctity, dignity and institutional integrity.
The petition states that on July 2, 2026, the petitioners had submitted a representation to the Chief Justice of India and the Chairman of the BCI seeking immediate regulatory intervention, nationwide digital ethics guidelines and action against unethical online solicitation. However, it alleges that no comprehensive regulatory framework has yet been introduced.
The PIL seeks directions to the Bar Council of India to strictly enforce the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Bar Council of India Rules, particularly Rule 36 prohibiting advertisement and solicitation, as well as the provisions governing professional dress and conduct. It also seeks disciplinary proceedings under Section 35 of the Advocates Act against advocates engaging in digital solicitation through social media promotions, promotional reels, influencer collaborations, monetised legal content and other prohibited forms of advertising.
Additionally, the petition seeks declarations that such promotional digital content constitutes professional misconduct and that the use of advocates’ robes and bands for social media promotion is impermissible. It further seeks a nationwide prohibition on the creation of promotional digital content within court premises, directions to the BCI to frame comprehensive Digital Ethics Guidelines and a Code of Digital Professional Conduct under Section 49 of the Advocates Act, and the constitution of a National Expert Committee on Digital Ethics in the Legal Profession to prepare a model regulatory framework.
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