HIGH COURT APRIL 2025 WEEKLY ROUNDUP | Stories on Asaram Bapu’s bail; Mandatory Service Charge; L’Oréal’s Trade Mark; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.
BCI
MP High Court directs BCI to take criminal action against law institutions admitting students without securing recognition
“Since the colleges of the petitioners before this Court did not deposit the fee before the Bar Council of India and it did not renew the recognition, it is not the fault of the candidates and the Bar Council of India should have taken strict action against such institutions.”
BCI sends show cause notice to DSK Legal for promotional advertisement featuring Rahul Bose; Seeks explanation within 10 days and removal of ad
The Bar Council of India (‘BCI’) sent a Show Cause Notice to the law firm DSK legal for professional misconduct and violation of Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules for posting a video advertisement on social media and directed immediate removal of the video from all digital platforms.
BCI condemns unethical legal advertising by advocates and legal influencers; Issues directives against breaches and misinformation
The Bar Council of India (‘BCI’) on 17-03-2025 issued a press release taking strict view of the unethical legal advertising, misleading social media promotions, and professional misconduct by advocates and legal influencers.
Gujarat HC stays order allowing law graduates from allegedly unrecognized institutes to participate in the Civil Judge recruitment process
None of the graduates can point out that under which provisions of law, they can be allowed to appear in the recruitment process. Neither they are eligible as per the requirement of Rule 7(2)(b) of the Gujarat State Judicial Service Rule, 2005 nor they have been able to satisfy that they are holding the Provisional Certificate issued by the authorities.
Lucknow University Cultural and Sports Committee | 15th Edition of Sankriti Surabhi [Annual Cultural and Literary Fest]
About the University: The University of Lucknow, a thriving academic community comprising over 10,000 students and staff, is a distinguished public state
Delhi High Court directs BCI to reevaluate LL.B. attendance requirements following Amity Law School suicide case
The petition was filed by the Court suo motu in response to the tragic suicide of a law student at Amity Law School, affiliated with I.P. University, who took his life allegedly due to severe academic pressure stemming from attendance shortages.
BCI directs Firms, Senior Advocates, Advocates to pay minimum stipend to Junior Advocates
Junior Advocates in urban areas will be paid a minimum stipend of Rs.20000 p.m.
Justice Ritu Bahri, 13th Chief Justice of Uttaranchal High Court, retires after a tenure of 8 months
Justice Ritu Bahri who retires on 10-10-2024, made history as upon her elevation on 04-02-2024, she became the first woman Chief Justice of Uttaranchal High Court.
Delhi High Court dismisses petition to disqualify BCI Chairman from Rajya Sabha over ‘Office of Profit’ Allegations; Imposes 25000 costs
Delhi High Court reiterated the need to follow the constitutional and statutory frameworks in dealing with matters of disqualification and election disputes.
BCI mandates criminal background check of the students before issuance of final marksheets and degrees
BCI should be informed of any ongoing FIR, criminal case, conviction or acquittal.
Till BCI’s decision is pending, complaints against Advocates will be entertained only on fee of Rs 1750: Uttaranchal HC halts fee hike to Rs 5500
Regarding the 20 complainants, who paid Rs 5500 towards fee, the Court stated that the Bar Council of Uttarakhand will have to take steps to return the remaining amount after deducting Rs 1750 from Rs 5500.
Bar Councils cannot charge more than amount specified under S. 24 of Advocates Act as enrolment fees: Supreme Court
Supreme Court declared that the judgment would have a prospective effect, thus the Bar Councils are not required to refund the enrolment fees collected more than the statutory amount so far.
Digital Solicitation and Advertising: Everlasting Legal Controversies
by Vasanth Rajasekaran* and Harshvardhan Korada**
BCI bans illegal solicitation of legal services by lawyers on online portals after Madras HC decision
“The Madras High Cour had remarked that the process of delivery of Justice is strongly based on the Constitution, and lawyers being the upholders of law cannot treat the profession as a business.”
Madras HC directs Bar Councils to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Advocates advertising and soliciting work through Online Service Providers
“Branding culture in the legal profession is detrimental to society. Ranking or providing customer ratings to lawyers is unheard of and demeans the ethos of the profession. Professional dignity and integrity must never be compromised especially in the legal profession.”
Karnataka HC directs Bar Council of India to update its website to reflect the current status of affiliated law colleges/universities
The Court was perusing a writ petition filed by BMS College of Law wherein they had submitted that BCI’s website was not updated regarding the College’s current affiliation status.
Know Thy Judge | Justice Ritu Bahri, First Woman Chief Justice of Uttaranchal High Court
Justice Ritu Bahri took oath of office as the 13th Chief Justice of Uttaranchal High Court on 04-02-2024.
Telangana High Court directs Bar Council of India to examine the eligibility of final year law students for AIBE
“Bar Council of India is directed to examine the representation of the petitioner after taking note of the Supreme Court’s observations in the case of Bar Council of India v. Bonnie Foi Law College.”
Delhi High Court imposes costs on IIT Kanpur alumni for filing frivolous litigations against Union, State authorities, departments, trusts etc.
The present case is a classic example of frivolous and vexatious litigation, where this Court encounters incoherent and confusing stories in the name of facts and absurd reliefs. Filing such cases as the present one is doubtlessly not only frivolous and vexatious, but annoying and such a litigant must be subject to some kind of sanction.