New Delhi: Calling the independence of the legal profession as important as the independence of the judiciary, Supreme Court Tuesday said the former must remain self-regulated. External agencies or institutions could not record adverse findings and opinions about the professional standing of advocates, the court said, as this was the exclusive domain of the Bar Council. It held that banks could not blacklist an advocate by putting his name on a ‘caution list’.A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, however, underscored the need for lawyers to upgrade their skill in the continuously evolving legal profession and suggested setting up of a National Legal Academy for advocates on the lines of National Judicial Academy, which was established for judges. It also said disciplinary action taken by Bar Council of India must strengthen people’s trust in the system.”The right and privilege of self-regulation of the Bar, through peer review, must withstand scrutiny on the touchstones of transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness. Public confidence in the legal profession, which is indispensable to the administration of justice, can be sustained only when disciplinary mechanisms inspire trust and credibility,” the apex court said.”We have, therefore, considered it appropriate to direct Bar Council of India to undertake a performance audit of the efficacy and credibility of its disciplinary powers and to adopt such corrective and remedial measures as may be found necessary,” the bench added.SC had appointed senior advocate Maninder Singh as amicus curiae. The bench accepted Singh’s submission, which said any allegation of professional misconduct against an advocate was exclusively reserved for the statutory jurisdiction of the Bar Council concerned.Blocking the involvement of outsiders in disciplining lawyers accused of professional misconduct, SC said allowed the plea of an advocate who challenged Canara Bank’s decision to put his name on a caution list for allegedly giving a wrong opinion. It said the bank should have approached BCI if there was professional negligence on the part of the lawyer.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth $200 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment
New Delhi: Calling the independence of the legal profession as important as the independence of the judiciary, Supreme Court Tuesday said the former must remain self-regulated. External agencies or institutions could not record adverse findings and opinions about the professional standing of advocates, the court said, as this was the exclusive domain of the Bar Council. It held that banks could not blacklist an advocate by putting his name on a ‘caution list’.A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, however, underscored the need for lawyers to upgrade their skill in the continuously evolving legal profession and suggested setting up of a National Legal Academy for advocates on the lines of National Judicial Academy, which was established for judges. It also said disciplinary action taken by Bar Council of India must strengthen people’s trust in the system.“The right and privilege of self-regulation of the Bar, through peer review, must withstand scrutiny on the touchstones of transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness. Public confidence in the legal profession, which is indispensable to the administration of justice, can be sustained only when disciplinary mechanisms inspire trust and credibility,” the apex court said.“We have, therefore, considered it appropriate to direct Bar Council of India to undertake a performance audit of the efficacy and credibility of its disciplinary powers and to adopt such corrective and remedial measures as may be found necessary,” the bench added.SC had appointed senior advocate Maninder Singh as amicus curiae. The bench accepted Singh’s submission, which said any allegation of professional misconduct against an advocate was exclusively reserved for the statutory jurisdiction of the Bar Council concerned.Blocking the involvement of outsiders in disciplining lawyers accused of professional misconduct, SC said allowed the plea of an advocate who challenged Canara Bank’s decision to put his name on a caution list for allegedly giving a wrong opinion. It said the bank should have approached BCI if there was professional negligence on the part of the lawyer.
