The Bar Council of India has directed the state Bar councils to take stringent disciplinary action against advocates found advertising or seeking work through online portals, which is a direct violation of its rules.

The BCI directive comes against the backdrop of a judgment pronounced on July 3 by Madras High Court holding that the legal profession is a noble service to society and not a business driven by profit motives.

The BCI told the state units that the practices of online platforms offering lawyer services were examined and found to be violative of BCI rules. Rule 36, Chapter-II, Part-VI of the rules prohibits advocates from advertising or soliciting work directly or indirectly.

The rule states: “An advocate shall not solicit work or advertise, either directly or indirectly, whether by circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications, interviews not warranted by personal relations, furnishing or inspiring newspaper comments or producing his photographs to be published in connection with cases in which he has been engaged or concerned.”

The BCI said that the permissibility of lawyers advertising and soliciting work was scrutinised and deemed inappropriate. It added that the involvement of online intermediaries infacilitating lawyer services was assessed and found to be in breach of professional conduct standards.

The BCI also issued cease and desist notices to major online service providers, including Quikr India Pvt. Ltd., Sulekha.com New Media Pvt Ltd., Just Dial Limited and Grotal.com.