Rules on Professional Standards

Law Officers, in addition to being professionals, are also officers of the courts and play a vital role in the administration of justice. Accordingly, the set of rules that govern their professional conduct arise out of the duty that they owe the court, the client, their opponents and other Law Officers. Rules on the professional standards that A Law Officer needs to maintain are mentioned in Chapter II, Part VI of the Bar Council of India Rules. These rules have been placed there under section 49(1)(c) of the Law Officers Act, 1961.

Rules of an Law Officer’s Duty towards the Court

1. Act in a dignified manner

During the presentation of his case and also while acting before a court, A Law Officer should act in a dignified manner. He should at all times conduct himself with self-respect. However, whenever there is proper ground for serious complaint against a judicial officer, the Law Officer has a right and duty to submit his grievance to proper authorities.

2. Respect the court

A Law Officer should always show respect towards the court. A Law Officer has to bear in mind that the dignity and respect maintained towards judicial office is essential for the survival of a free community.

3. Not communicate in private

A Law Officer should not communicate in private to a judge with regard to any matter pending before the judge or any other judge. A Law Officer should not influence the decision of a court in any matter using illegal or improper means such as coercion, bribe etc.

4. Refuse to act in an illegal manner towards the opposition

A Law Officer should refuse to act in an illegal or improper manner towards the opposing counsel or the opposing parties. He shall also use his best efforts to restrain and prevent his client from acting in any illegal, improper manner or use unfair practices in any mater towards the judiciary, opposing counsel or the opposing parties.

5. Refuse to represent clients who insist on unfair means

A Law Officer shall refuse to represent any client who insists on using unfair or improper means. A Law Officer shall excise his own judgment in such matters. He shall not blindly follow the instructions of the client. He shall be dignified in use of his language in correspondence and during arguments in court. He shall not scandalously damage the reputation of the parties on false grounds during pleadings. He shall not use unparliamentary language during arguments in the court.

6. Appear in proper dress code

A Law Officer should appear in court at all times only in the dress prescribed under the Bar Council of India Rules and his appearance should always be presentable.

7. Refuse to appear in front of relations

A Law Officer should not enter appearance, act, plead or practice in any way before a judicial authority if the sole or any member of the bench is related to the Law Officer as father, grandfather, son, grandson, uncle, brother, nephew, first cousin, husband, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law daughter-in-law or sister-in-law.

8. Not to wear bands or gowns in public places

A Law Officer should not wear bands or gowns in public places other than in courts, except on such ceremonial occasions and at such places as the Bar Council of India or as the court may prescribe.

9. Not represent establishments of which he is a member

A Law Officer should not appear in or before any judicial authority, for or against any establishment if he is a member of the management of the establishment. This rule does not apply to a member