With reference to India, consider the following statements: Governme

With reference to India, consider the following statements:

  • Government law officers and legal firms are recognised as advocates, but corporate lawyers and patent attorneys are excluded from recognition as advocates.
  • Bar Councils have the power to lay down the rules relating to legal education and recognition of law colleges.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Only statement 2 is correct.
The Bar Council of India (BCI), in consultation with universities, has the power to lay down standards of legal education and grant recognition to law degrees for enrollment as an advocate. Statement 1 is incorrect as the classification and recognition of advocates are governed by the Advocates Act, 1961. While government law officers are enrolled advocates, legal firms are not individuals recognized as advocates. Corporate lawyers and patent attorneys can be enrolled as advocates if they fulfill the conditions laid down by the BCI, although there are regulations regarding full-time employment and right to practice.
The Advocates Act, 1961 consolidates the law relating to legal practitioners in India and provides for the constitution of Bar Councils and the All-India Bar. The BCI is the apex body regulating the legal profession and legal education in India.