Bar Council of India bans social media lawyer ads

The Bar Council of India has warned lawyers against using social media for advertising their services. This includes prohibiting celebrity endorsements and promotional videos, which violate existing rules on legal advertising. The council's action follows concerns over misleading legal influencers and a recent controversy involving a law firm's Instagram post featuring a Bollywood actor. The BCI emphasized that legal practice should maintain ethical standards and public trust. New mandates require immediate removal of violating advertisements and ban the use of celebrities in legal promotions. Violations may lead to severe disciplinary actions, including suspension and formal complaints to digital platforms.