Supreme Court Issues Notice To BCI On PIL Seeking Regulation Of Advocates' Social Media Ads

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Bar Council of India (BCI) on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking strict regulation of advocates’ use of social media for advertising, client solicitation and promotional activities, alleging that such practices violate the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Bar Council of India Rules.

The petition also seeks the formulation of a comprehensive Digital Ethics Code and Code of Digital Professional Conduct for lawyers.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana issued notice to the BCI and directed it to file its response by September 15.

The petition contends that there has been a rapid and unchecked increase in digital solicitation and commercialisation of the legal profession through platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

It further alleges that some advocates are using promotional reels, monetised legal content, influencer collaborations, paid advertisements and other forms of digital publicity to attract clients, thereby undermining the dignity, ethics and independence of the legal profession.

“The Petitioners seek this Hon'ble Court's intervention against the rampant and unchecked proliferation of digital solicitation, the commercialisation of advocacy, and the flagrant misuse of judicial precincts by certain members of the Bar. These actions, manifested through social media platforms, represent a systematic subversion of the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules, thereby threatening the very dignity and integrity of the administration of justice)”, the plea states.

According to the petition, content is recorded within court premises while advocates appear in full court attire. The petition alleges that these videos often contain contact details, claims of expertise, client testimonials, portrayals of criminal proceedings and sensational legal commentary intended to attract prospective litigants.

Court has been told that such conduct amounts to indirect solicitation prohibited under Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules and that the use of advocates' robes and court premises for digital content violates the rules governing professional dress and conduct.

The petition states that describing such content as legal awareness, educational videos or know your rights campaigns cannot defeat the prohibition on advertisement where the dominant purpose is self-promotion, acquisition of clientele or enhancement of commercial visibility. It further contends that court attire is an institutional symbol representing the dignity of judicial proceedings and cannot be converted into an instrument of branding or commercial promotion.

Filed by on Anil Pandey, the plea contends that the growing reliance on social media popularity has eroded professional standards by encouraging advocates to compete for digital visibility instead of professional competence. The petition argues that legal services are increasingly being projected as commodities capable of being marketed through social media.

The petition also refers to the BCI’s press release dated March 17, 2025, cautioning advocates against promotional activities through influencers and celebrities and warning that disciplinary proceedings could be initiated for such conduct. It further relies on the Supreme Court Bar Association’s resolution prohibiting videography and the creation of reels within the Supreme Court premises. The petition also cites the Madras High Court’s judgment dated July 3, 2024, which recognised lawyer rankings, digital solicitation and lead-generation mechanisms as impermissible.

The PIL seeks directions to the Bar Council of India to strictly enforce the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Bar Council of India Rules, particularly Rule 36 prohibiting advertisement and solicitation, as well as the provisions governing professional dress and conduct. It also seeks disciplinary proceedings under Section 35 of the Advocates Act against advocates engaging in digital solicitation through social media promotions, promotional reels, influencer collaborations, monetised legal content and other prohibited forms of advertising.

Case Title: Anil Pandey and Anr. v. Bar Council of India

Bench: CJI Kant, Justice Bagchi and Justice Mohana

Hearing Date: July 14, 2026