BCI lays down social media norms for advocates, law students
The Bar Council of India has issued new guidelines prohibiting lawyers and law students from creating sensationalist social media content inside courtrooms. The rules specifically target the misuse of live-streamed proceedings and the creation of AI-generated content involving judicial processes.
Why it matters
These regulations aim to preserve the dignity of the judicial system in an era where digital content creation can easily undermine public trust.
In a sweeping move to regulate the digital conduct of the legal fraternity, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a comprehensive circular prescribing strict standards for the use of social media by advocates, law students and legal interns.
The circular, issued on July 17, prohibits advocates and law students from creating or circulating reels, videos or other content that sensationalises court proceedings, judicial hearings, chambers or professional work.
Advocates have been directed to refrain from “making reels, videos, photographs or promotional content inside Court premises, courtrooms, corridors, Bar rooms, chambers or judicial buildings in a manner inconsistent with dignity and decorum.”
The circular also bars lawyers from “clipping, editing or circulating live-streamed proceedings with captions, music, commentary, thumbnails or voiceovers that ridicule, mock, distort, sensationalise or scandalise the conduct of Judges, counsel, litigants or witnesses.”
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