(a) whether there are no prescribed guidelines to regulate the fees of advocates and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government contemplates issuing guidelines to regulate the fees of lawyers and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)
(a) and (b) : The Bar Council of India (BCI), a statutory body under the Advocates Act, 1961 (25 of 1961) has informed that the standards of professional conduct and etiquettes for lawyers have been prescribed under the Chapter-II, Part-VI of the Bar Council of India Rules framed under the Advocates Act, 1961. The relevant rule in this regard is as under:-
“11. An advocate is bound to accept any brief in the Courts or tribunals or before any other authorities in or before which he proposes to practice at a fee consistent with his standing at the Bar and the nature of the case.”
The BCI has further informed that it does not control or have a say over the maximum professional fee which can be charged by a legal practitioner. Accordingly, Advocates charge their fee from their clients as per their standing and seniority in the Bar and the Bar Council of India does not control the fee charged by the advocates.