Stop showboating: BCI drops hammer on Lawyers using Courts for clicks

NEW DELHI: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a directive placing strict controls on the social media conduct of legal professionals, explicitly prohibiting the use of promotional reels, unauthorised recordings of court proceedings, and the circulation of AI-generated content.

Under the new regulations, lawyers are barred from posting promotional reels aimed at soliciting clients. The directive also bans filming content within court premises or sharing videos that feature court buildings and the official lawyer’s uniform. Furthermore, the unauthorised recording of court proceedings and the dissemination of clips sourced from official live streams are strictly prohibited.

The BCI has identified the use of technology as a significant threat to professional integrity. The council has expressly forbidden the use of deepfakes, voice cloning, and the circulation of fake judgments or AI-generated legal advice. Officials noted an "alarming" increase in lawyers editing clips to create dramatic effects and inserting personal opinions into legal proceedings, actions the council warned undermine public trust in the justice system.

These restrictions apply to all members of the legal community, including law students and interns. The BCI warned that any violation of these norms will invite strict disciplinary action.

Emphasising that the legal profession is a public service rather than a commercial activity, the council clarified that while social media remains an acceptable tool for academic discussions and legal awareness, it cannot be used to compromise the dignity of the courts, violate client privacy, or erode the public’s confidence in the judiciary.