Sub-title: Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Shree Chandrashekhar hold that lawyers must treat opposing counsel and parties with respect inside court premises.
Supreme Court On Advocates’ Conduct
The Supreme Court has stressed the importance of Advocates Court Conduct Misconduct standards inside court premises. The Court said lawyers must maintain proper conduct towards everyone involved in a case.
A Bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Shree Chandrashekhar heard the matter.
The Bench said advocates must act with propriety while inside court premises. This duty extends beyond their own clients.
Lawyers must also treat opposing counsel and the parties on the other side with decency.
Advocates Must Maintain Decency In Court
The Court examined an advocate’s conduct under the Advocates Act, 1961.
It observed that a lawyer’s behaviour inside court can form the basis of a misconduct complaint. Therefore, advocates must maintain professional standards throughout their time in court.
The Court stressed that this duty applies in every interaction.
An advocate must behave properly with their own clients. Likewise, they must show respect towards opposing lawyers and litigants.
The Court therefore linked professional conduct with the broader responsibilities of the legal profession.
Bar Councils Can Examine Indecent Conduct
The Supreme Court also clarified the role of Bar Councils.
If a lawyer behaves indecently inside court premises, the concerned State Bar Council can examine the complaint. In appropriate cases, the Bar Council of India can also take cognizance.
The Court made this position clear while discussing disciplinary proceedings under the Advocates Act.
Therefore, a complaint does not automatically fail because the alleged misconduct occurred inside court premises.
The appropriate Bar Council can examine the allegations on their merits.
Advocates Act Provides Disciplinary Mechanism
The Court’s observations reinforce the disciplinary framework under the Advocates Act, 1961.
The law allows Bar Councils to examine allegations of professional misconduct against advocates.
In this context, conduct inside court premises can become relevant to disciplinary proceedings.
The Court also rejected any approach that would prevent scrutiny merely because the conduct occurred within a courtroom or court complex.
Instead, the relevant disciplinary authority must consider the complaint according to law.
Supreme Court Reinforces Professional Responsibility
The ruling highlights the importance of respectful behaviour in legal proceedings.
The Court made clear that advocates owe professional duties to more than their own clients.
They must also respect opposing counsel and the parties involved in litigation.
Such conduct helps maintain the dignity of courts and the legal profession.
The Supreme Court’s observations therefore reinforce Advocates Court Conduct Misconduct as an important aspect of professional responsibility.
The concerned Bar Council can examine allegations of indecent behaviour and take appropriate action under the Advocates Act, 1961.
