The Crossbill News Desk
The need to protect the independence of the legal profession and ensure accountability within Bar Councils was emphasised by Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna at the 13th convocation of National Law University Delhi on Saturday (August 29).
She said an independent Bar is essential to the functioning of a constitutional democracy and urged Bar Councils to examine whether they were fulfilling their responsibilities towards the profession.
Justice Nagarathna stressed that Bar Councils at both the central and state levels have an important role in maintaining professional standards and ethics.
“The Bar Councils, whether the Central or the States, must introspect on their role and importance in upholding professional ethics, morality and professional competence. When a Bar Council does not earn the respect of its members, it is not a good sign for the legal profession,” she was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Her remarks come amid criticism of Bar Council of India chairman and BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra over his recent attempt to prevent an entire batch of students at Nalsar University of Law from enrolling. Mishra later withdrew the directive following objections from students and sections of the legal community.
The controversy arose after some students at Nalsar and NLSIU Bangalore opposed the decision to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to their respective convocations. Students subsequently sought an unconditional apology from Mishra over his remarks and his proposed action against the graduating batch of 2026.
Speaking about the wider role of lawyers, Justice Nagarathna said the independence of the Bar should not be viewed as a privilege intended to serve lawyers’ personal interests.
“The independence of the Bar is not an entitlement given to lawyers for their own benefit,” she said.
She added that the profession’s independence was tied directly to the functioning of constitutional democracy.
“It exists because a constitutional democracy requires a body of professionals who can advise, argue, challenge and represent without having to ask the permission of the State, the market, or even their own clients before doing so…do not allow the pursuit of a successful career to make you forget what makes your profession worth preserving in the first place. Guard its independence,” she said.
Justice Nagarathna also underlined the ethical responsibilities attached to the legal profession, describing law as an “office of trust”. A lawyer, she said, “cannot be reduced to a person who sells legal knowledge by the hour.”
Her address placed the responsibility for safeguarding the credibility and autonomy of the legal profession not only on individual lawyers but also on the institutions that regulate them.
She said an independent Bar is essential to the functioning of a constitutional democracy and urged Bar Councils to examine whether they were fulfilling their responsibilities towards the profession.
Justice Nagarathna stressed that Bar Councils at both the central and state levels have an important role in maintaining professional standards and ethics.
“The Bar Councils, whether the Central or the States, must introspect on their role and importance in upholding professional ethics, morality and professional competence. When a Bar Council does not earn the respect of its members, it is not a good sign for the legal profession,” she was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Her remarks come amid criticism of Bar Council of India chairman and BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra over his recent attempt to prevent an entire batch of students at Nalsar University of Law from enrolling. Mishra later withdrew the directive following objections from students and sections of the legal community.
The controversy arose after some students at Nalsar and NLSIU Bangalore opposed the decision to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to their respective convocations. Students subsequently sought an unconditional apology from Mishra over his remarks and his proposed action against the graduating batch of 2026.
Speaking about the wider role of lawyers, Justice Nagarathna said the independence of the Bar should not be viewed as a privilege intended to serve lawyers’ personal interests.
“The independence of the Bar is not an entitlement given to lawyers for their own benefit,” she said.
She added that the profession’s independence was tied directly to the functioning of constitutional democracy.
“It exists because a constitutional democracy requires a body of professionals who can advise, argue, challenge and represent without having to ask the permission of the State, the market, or even their own clients before doing so…do not allow the pursuit of a successful career to make you forget what makes your profession worth preserving in the first place. Guard its independence,” she said.
Justice Nagarathna also underlined the ethical responsibilities attached to the legal profession, describing law as an “office of trust”. A lawyer, she said, “cannot be reduced to a person who sells legal knowledge by the hour.”
Her address placed the responsibility for safeguarding the credibility and autonomy of the legal profession not only on individual lawyers but also on the institutions that regulate them.
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