Bar Council of India issues social media rules for advocates

The Bar Council of India (BCI) issued a circular on 17 July 2026 on social media conduct for advocates, law students, and interns. The circular applies to State Bar Councils and Centres of Legal Education and concerns digital ethics, court decorum, confidentiality, and professional conduct.

Bar Council of India

The Bar Council of India is a statutory body constituted under the Advocates Act, 1961. It regulates legal education and professional standards for advocates in India and issues rules under its regulatory powers.

Social media restrictions in court premises

The circular prohibits reels, videos, photographs, and promotional content inside court premises, courtrooms, corridors, Bar rooms, chambers, and judicial buildings. Recording physical, virtual, or hybrid court proceedings is generally barred unless a court rule permits it or written approval is granted by the Court or Registrar General.

Professional dress and publicity rules

Advocates are barred from using bands, gowns, or robes for public display, social media posts, or promotional photographs, except for ceremonial occasions permitted under BCI rules. The restriction covers visual content that uses legal attire for personal publicity or advertising.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Advocates Act, 1961, is the principal law governing the legal profession in India.
• The Bar Council of India regulates standards of professional conduct and etiquette for advocates.
• State Bar Councils handle enrolment and disciplinary matters for advocates at the state level.
• Courts in India may regulate recording and publication of proceedings through their own rules and orders.

Compliance by new entrants and students

New advocates seeking enrolment must submit an affidavit or compliance acknowledgment. Law students and interns are prohibited from posting “day in court” vlogs, “day in a chamber” reels, and “internship reveal” content that uses court buildings, names, or signage as props.

Digital ethics and disciplinary action

The circular bars misleading legal content, fabricated judgments, anonymous legal opinions, artificial court experience narratives, and misuse of AI-generated content or deepfakes. Violations may lead to disciplinary action, referral to State Bar Councils, or contempt proceedings where the content lowers the authority of a court.