Reels by Advocates in SC Premises: SCAORA seeks urgent guidelines to prevent solicitation & security breach

Calling the practice unethical and potentially dangerous, the SCAORA has urged the Court to immediately issue clear guidelines to prohibit such activities.

The representation, dated July 25, 2025, is backed by signatures of several members of the Bar and highlights concerns about a surge in videography, particularly aimed at social media engagement, which allegedly results in indirect solicitation, a practice prohibited under the Bar Council of India Rules.

While some of these videos carry disclaimers claiming to be ‘informational’ in nature, the Association has stated that they often end up functioning as surrogate advertisements or attempts at professional self-promotion.

SCAORA emphasized that such conduct not only erodes the dignity and decorum of the profession but also undermines public trust in the legal system. “This is particularly serious when Advocates-on-Record participate,” the letter states, pointing to the higher ethical obligations borne by AORs in upholding the profession’s standards.

Even more concerning, the Association flagged the use of courtroom clippings, either from live-streamed hearings or otherwise, being incorporated into such videos. These practices, according to SCAORA, risk misrepresenting judicial proceedings, spreading misinformation, and promoting a culture of sensationalism around the Court's work.

The use of truncated or decontextualized video clips, especially from live streams, has been previously flagged by judges themselves, who have expressed concern over the potential for manipulation and erosion of judicial authority.

The letter also states the security risks involved in unauthorized filming within the Supreme Court, particularly in High Security Zones. It calls such acts a serious breach of the security protocols in place to ensure the integrity and safe functioning of the Court.

The Association has urged the Chief Justice to consider the following measures:

-Issue clear guidelines prohibiting all forms of videography, photography, and content creation within the Court premises without express permission.

-Reiterate the prohibition against direct or indirect solicitation through social media in accordance with BCI Rules.

-Ban uploading or dissemination of court proceedings or footage outside the Supreme Court's officially approved platforms.

-Enforce appropriate disciplinary measures, particularly in cases involving AORs, to uphold accountability.

Separately, a communication has also been addressed to the Secretaries of the Supreme Court Bar Association and SCAORA, urging them to take cognizance of the issue and consider issuing advisories to their members.

“While the Supreme Court is actively working on developing a secure live streaming mechanism to prevent unauthorized reproduction or editing of proceedings, these acts of misuse threaten to defeat that very purpose,” the letter states.

SCAORA has assured the Court of its full cooperation in formulating and implementing appropriate regulatory measures and has expressed confidence that timely intervention will help safeguard the sanctity of the legal profession and protect the institutional integrity of the Supreme Court.