{
  "id": 4204750,
  "title": "Bar Council that doesn’t earn members’ respect not good sign for legal profession: SC judge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/bar-council-that-doesnt-earn-members-respect-not-good-sign-for-legal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T14:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - India",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-india",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/justice-nagarathna-bci-professional-ethics-nlu-delhi-convocation-10854933/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Supreme Court judge Justice B V Nagarathna warned on Saturday that a Bar Council failing to earn the respect of its members is a \"not good sign for the legal profession.\" Addressing the 13th convocation of National Law University Delhi, Nagarathna urged Bar Councils to examine their role in maintaining professional ethics, morality, and competence. She emphasized that when a Bar Council doesn't gain members' trust, it signals a problem for the legal profession.\n\nThis statement follows calls for the resignation of Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra due to a directive from August 13 forbidding state Bar Councils from enrolling students from the 2026 NALSAR batch. Mishra quickly withdrew the circular after BCI concluded the students had no involvement in any disturbance or movement. Earlier, BCI co-Chairman Y R Sadasiva Reddy had written to Mishra, requesting his resignation.\n\nJustice Nagarathna highlighted issues like pendency, delays, and litigation costs, urging the Bar to reevaluate its role in serving litigants, protecting democracy, and upholding the rule of law. She stressed that the Bar must maintain a space where they can advise, argue, and represent clients without external interference, as they are the \"safety valves of democracies.\" Nagarathna reminded lawyers that the independence of the Bar serves a constitutional democracy, requiring professionals who can advise, argue, challenge, and represent without seeking permission from the State, market, or clients. She cautioned against letting a successful legal career overshadow the fundamental reasons for preserving the profession.\n\nDescribing law as an \"office of trust,\" Justice Nagarathna stressed that lawyers cannot merely be individuals selling legal knowledge by the hour. Any shortcomings or errors by the Bar could have profound effects on political and civic life. She emphasized the importance of lawyers viewing themselves as public servants, ensuring they remain relevant in the future. On Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms, Nagarathna noted that arbitration, mediation, and conciliation are increasingly part of the justice system. She warned that lawyers who only see the legal dispute may be technically proficient but professionally limited; those who understand the underlying problem behind the dispute are invaluable. Finally, she cautioned against relying on AI tools, reminding lawyers to develop a holistic and complete view of disputes and to avoid citing fake judgments obtained through AI.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Supreme Court judge warns Bar Council not earning members' respect is bad for legal profession.",
    "Urges Bar Councils to maintain professional ethics, morality, and competence.",
    "Highlights pendency, delays, litigation costs as issues needing Bar's attention."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Bar Council that doesn’t earn members’ respect not good sign for legal profession: Supreme Court judge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/bar-council-that-doesnt-earn-members-respect-not-good-sign-for-legal-4210493",
        "published": "2026-08-29T14:12:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}