Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926

The Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926, was a legislative measure enacted to consolidate and amend the
laws relating to legal practitioners in India. It marked a significant development in the Indian legal
system's history by formalizing the standards for legal education and the admission of new attorneys,
as well as setting the groundwork for the ethical and professional standards of practicing lawyers.

Key features of the Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926 include:

Establishment of Bar Councils: The Act provided for the constitution of Bar Councils for various
provinces. These councils were responsible for admitting persons as advocates on their rolls,
preparing and maintaining such rolls, and overseeing the conduct of advocates.
Standardization of Legal Education: The Act aimed to improve the standards of legal education by
giving Bar Councils the authority to set conditions for legal education and examinations in law, which
were prerequisites for admission as an advocate.
Professional Ethics and Discipline: It provided Bar Councils the power to lay down and enforce
ethical standards and professional conduct among practicing lawyers. The councils could reprimand,
suspend, or remove advocates from the rolls for professional misconduct.
Autonomy to the Profession: By establishing Bar Councils composed of elected members from
among the advocates themselves, the Act gave the legal profession a considerable degree of
autonomy. This was a move away from earlier practices where courts or colonial authorities had
greater control over the profession.
Impact and Legacy:

Professional Integrity: The establishment of standards and enforcement mechanisms helped in

maintaining professional integrity among lawyers.
Legal Education Reform: The Act influenced the quality and uniformity of legal education across
India, contributing to the professionalization of law as a field of study and practice.
Foundation for Future Legislation: The Act laid the groundwork for future legal reforms and
legislation concerning the legal profession in India, including the Advocates Act of 1961, which
consolidated the law relating to legal practitioners and provided for the constitution of Bar Councils
for States and an All-India Bar.
Overall, the Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926, was foundational in shaping the modern legal profession
in India, promoting higher standards of legal training, ensuring the enforcement of ethical practices,
and enhancing the autonomy of the profession.