Functions of Bar Council of India.

[(1)] The functions of the Bar Council of India shall be-

(a) [Omitted by Act 60 of 1973]

(b) to lay down standards of professional conduct and etiquette for advocates;

(c) to lay down the procedure to be followed by its disciplinary committee and the disciplinary committee of each State Bar Council;

(d) to safeguard the rights, privileges and interests of advocates;

(e) to promote and support law reform;

(f) to deal with and dispose of any matter arising under this Act, which may be referred to it by a State Bar Council;

(g) to exercise general supervision and control over State Bar Councils;

(h) to promote legal education and to lay down standards of such education in consultation with the universities in India imparting such education and the State Bar Councils;

(i) to recognise universities whose degree in law shall be a qualification for enrolment as an advocate and for that purpose to visit and inspect universities; 2[or cause the State Bar Councils to visit and inspect universities in accordance with such directions as it may give in this behalf;]

3[(ia) to conduct seminars and organise talks on legal topics by eminent jurists and publish journals and papers of legal interest;

(ib) To organise legal aid to the poor in the prescribed manner;

(ic) To recognise on a reciprocal basis foreign qualifications in law obtained outside Indian for the purpose of admission as advocate under this Act;]

(j) To manage and invest the funds of the Bar Council;

(k) To provide for the election of its members;

(l) To perform all other functions conferred on it by or under this Act;

(m) To do all other things necessary for discharging the aforesaid functions;

3[(2) The Bar Council of India may constitute one or more funds in the prescribed manner for the purpose of-

(a) Giving financial assistance to organise welfare schemes for indigent, disabled or other advocates;

(b) Giving legal aid or advice in accordance with the rules made in this behalf;]

2[( c) Establishing law libraries.]

(3) The Bar Council of India may receive any grants, donations, gifts or benefactions for all or any of the purposes specified in sub-section (2) which shall be credited to the appropriate fund or funds constituted under that sub-section].

1. Renumbered as sub-s. (1) by Act 60 of 1973

2. Inserted by Act 70 of 1993.

3. Inserted by Act 60 of 1973.