The Bar Council of India (BCI) has introduced new social media and digital ethics guidelines for law students, advocates, interns, and research scholars, directing legal education institutions and State Bar Councils to ensure immediate compliance. The rules aim to promote responsible online behaviour, protect professional confidentiality, and preserve the dignity of courts by restricting the sharing of sensitive legal content on digital platforms.

In a circular issued to law colleges and Bar Councils across the country, the BCI stated that the guidelines should not be treated as a routine advisory. The Council instructed institutions to actively educate students and legal professionals about the rules instead of merely uploading the notice online or circulating it through messaging platforms. The guidelines apply to students pursuing LLB, LLM, PhD, diploma, certificate, and other law-related courses, along with interns and research scholars.

The BCI raised concerns over the increasing trend of social media content involving court premises, legal proceedings, internships, and professional activities. The Council said some advocates, students, and online users have been creating reels, videos, edited clips, promotional posts, and other content featuring court corridors, chambers, hearings, and professional engagements. It also highlighted concerns over the spread of legal misinformation through simplified or inaccurate content presented as legal advice by unqualified individuals and online influencers.

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The new rules specifically warn law students and interns against sharing confidential information obtained during professional training. The BCI stated that internship experiences should focus on learning legal discipline, research, drafting, observation, courtroom skills, and professional ethics rather than online promotion. Recording court hearings, client meetings, case files, legal strategies, pleadings, drafts, or internal discussions and sharing them publicly has been prohibited if such actions compromise confidentiality or diminish the seriousness of judicial proceedings.

The Council has warned that violations of the guidelines may lead to disciplinary action, including reporting individuals to law colleges, internship coordinators, Bar Associations, or law firms. Depending on the severity of the violation, students may face warnings, counselling, restrictions on internship opportunities, or other action permitted under applicable rules. The BCI clarified that the guidelines are intended to prevent misconduct and educate legal professionals while ensuring that lawful criticism and genuine legal discussions are not restricted.

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