Question : Introduction of CPE-CLE for Bar Council Members

(a) whether the Government is planning to introduce Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for members of Bar Council of India as has been done by a number of other countries to update professionals such as Chartered Accountants and Lawyers and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the time frame within which the Government proposes to make it compulsory for lawyers to obtain minimum number of hours/points for CLE;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to implement the recommendations of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation and Law Commission of India in its 266th Report dealing with the Advocates Act, 1961 that provides for a compulsory CLE through either Bar Council of India or any other body prescribed by guidelines/ rules; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to amend the Advocates Act, 1961 to implement the above recommendations and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.



STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *254 FOR 11THMARCH , 2020

(a) & (b) This Ministry has conducted a study on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) through National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore and IIT Kharagpur. The Reports submitted by them is under examination in consultation with the Bar Council of India.
(c) & (d) The Law Commission of India in its 266th report pertaining to the Advocates Act, 1961(Regulation of Legal Profession) has recommended amendments therein. The Law Commission of India has recommended amend Section 7 and 49 to provide for continuing legal education for advocates and its monitoring. The Recommendations made by Law Commission of India in its 266th report are under consideration of this Department in consultation with other stake holder.