View source for Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana

{{Short description|Legal organisation in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana
| type            = statutory body (established under Indian law)
| nativename_r    = 
| logo            = 
| logo_size       = 
| image           = 
| image_size      = 
| image_caption   = 
| formed          = {{start date and age|1961}}
| headquarters    = Law Bhawan, Dakshin Marg, Sector 37A, Chandigarh 160036
| chief1_name     = Ashok Singla
| chief1_position = Chairman
| chief2_name     = 
| chief2_position = 
| chief3_name     = Partap Singh
| chief3_position = Member Bar Council of India
| chief4_name     = Gurtej Singh Grewal
| chief4_position = Honorary Secretary
| chief5_name     = 
| chief5_position = 
| chief6_name     = 
| chief6_position = 
| chief7_name     = 
| chief7_position = 
| parent_department = Bar Council of India
| website         = {{URL|bcph.co.in}}
}}

'''Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana''' is the state regulatory and statutory representative body for [[lawyers]] practicing law in the three states of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Haryana]] and Union Territory of [[Chandigarh]]. It was constituted as per the mandatory requirement of [[Advocates Act, 1961]] and [[Bar Council of India]]. In March 1953, the 'All India Bar Committee', headed by S. R. Das, submitted a report which proposed the creation of a Bar Council for each state and an All-India Bar Council as an apex body. Members of the Bar Council are elected from amongst members enrolled and practicing as lawyers in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, and they represent the state in Bar Council of India meetings. Bar Council enforces standards of [[professional conduct]] to be followed by member advocates, and designs [[etiquette]]s and has the power to enforce disciplinary guidelines over the members of Bar.

== History ==
Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana was formed as per the requirement of Section 3 of Advocates Act, 1961 which mandates for each state of India to have its Bar Council. Accordingly, Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana was formed. As per the guidelines the legal profession in India and the standards of legal education would be regulated by All India Bar Council. The [[Law Commission of India]] was assigned the job of assembling a report on judicial administration reforms.

== Functions ==
Section 7 of the Advocates Act, 1961 lays down the Bar Council's regulatory and representative mandatory. Bar Councils of each place has following functions:

#Facilitating the election with rules for members to get elected and manage the Bar Council.<ref name="Karnat Bar12">{{cite news |title=Nearly 50% of Karnataka lawyers struck off voter rolls, as 4-year-late bar council elections now on schedule, hopefully |url=https://www.legallyindia.com/the-bar-and-bench/run-up-to-super-late-sbc-elections-4-year-late-karnataka-sbc-now-on-schedule-hopefully-00011130-9015 |access-date=16 September 2021 |publisher=legallyindia.com |date=18 January 2018 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
#Designing the professional behaviours and code to be followed by  [[advocate]]s who are its members.<ref name="Telangana Bar Ref11">{{cite news |title=Appointment Of HC Judges Is Made After Considering Seniority, Merit: SC |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/appointment-of-hc-judges-is-made-after-considering-seniority-merit-sc-7431531.html |access-date=9 September 2021 |publisher=Moneycontrol |language=en}}</ref>
#Lay down guidelines for disciplinary committees and other committees formed by it.
#Supporting with financial aid in case of need.<ref name="Kart bar ref6">{{cite news |title=Karnataka Bar Council gives Rs 1 crore aid to Covid-infected advocates |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/may/29/karnataka-bar-council-gives-rs-1-crore-aid-to-covid-infected-advocates-2309183.html |access-date=16 September 2021 |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=29 May 2021}}</ref><ref name="Kart bar ref2">{{cite news |last1=Biju |first1=Rintu Mariam |title=Karnataka State Bar Council sanctions Rs 10,000 to COVID positive lawyers who are in home quarantine, Rs. 25,000 for those hospitalized |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/karnataka-state-bar-council-rs-25000-to-advocates-covid-19-positive-hospitalized |access-date=16 September 2021 |publisher=Bar and Bench |date=10 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Kart bar ref3" />
#Protecting the advocate members rights, benefits and safeguarding their interests.<ref name="Kart bar ref9">{{cite news |title=Bar Council seeks resumption of physical hearing in high court |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/bar-council-seeks-resumption-of-physical-hearing-in-high-court-884050.html |access-date=16 September 2021 |publisher=Deccan Herald |date=7 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Delhi Bar Ref10">{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Poonam |title=Delhi Bar Council writes to MHA seeking immediate action against police raid at lawyer Mehmood Pracha's office |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-bar-council-letter-home-ministry-advocate-mehmood-pracha-raid-office-delhi-police-1753611-2020-12-27 |access-date=15 September 2021 |publisher=India Today |date=27 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
#Designing, promoting and supporting [[law reform]] as per changing circumstances.
#Handle and resolve other issues or any matter placed before it by its members in ad hoc situations.<ref name="Kart bar ref6" /><ref name="Karnat Bar7">{{cite news |title=Karnataka Bar Council seeks funds from government to compensate advocates |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/karnataka-bar-council-seeks-funds-from-government-to-compensate-advocates/article34678072.ece |access-date=16 September 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=29 May 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="Kart bar ref11">{{cite news |title=Karnataka Bar Council to boycott Lokayukta's programmes |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150630/nation-current-affairs/article/karnataka-bar-council-boycott-lokayukta%E2%80%99s-programmes |access-date=16 September 2021 |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=30 June 2015 |language=en}}</ref>
#Designing and promoting legal education in country and states.
#Design and organise [[seminar]]s on wide legal topics in the interest of members by reputed [[jurist]]s and publishing them in journals and magazines of legal circles and other sources of media.
#Facilitating [[legal aid]] to those who can't afford it.
#Ensuring that guidelines laid in various legal forums are followed by members.
#Initiating disciplinary action in case of professional misconduct<ref name="Kart bar ref13">{{cite news |title=K'taka Bar Council suspends sleaze CD victim's lawyer; here's why |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/ktaka-bar-council-suspends-sleaze-cd-victims-lawyer-heres-why-834894 |access-date=16 September 2021 |publisher=IBT News |date=4 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Kart bar ref10">{{cite news |title=Lawyer representing woman in Karnataka sex-for-job case suspended by Bar Council |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/lawyer-representing-woman-karnataka-sex-job-case-suspended-bar-council-146524 |access-date=16 September 2021 |publisher=The News Minute |date=4 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Karnat Bar8">{{cite news |title=Sleaze CD: Karnataka Bar Council suspends victim's lawyer |url=https://www.udayavani.com/english-news/sleaze-cd-karnataka-bar-council-suspends-victims-lawyer |access-date=16 September 2021 |publisher=Udayavani |date=4 April 2021 |language=kn}}</ref><ref name="Delhi Bar Ref6">{{cite news |title=Delhi Bar Council suspends lawyer's license for submitting fake COVID report |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/delhi-bar-council-suspends-lawyer-s-license-for-submitting-fake-covid-report-11625849123960.html |access-date=15 September 2021 |publisher=mint |date=9 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
#Designing welfare schemes like Insurance for its members<ref name="Delhi Bar Ref3">{{cite news |title=HC seeks bar council's response on plea by govt on lawyer benefits |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/hc-seeks-bar-councils-response-on-plea-by-govt-on-lawyer-benefits/articleshow/85469037.cms |access-date=15 September 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=20 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
#Supporting members with emergency services during natural calamities.<ref name="Kart bar ref3">{{cite news |last1=Mathur |first1=Aneesha |title=Bar Council of Delhi gives over Rs 3.59 crore as financial aid to Covid-affected lawyers |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/delhi-bar-council-gives-over-rs-3-59-crore-as-financial-aid-to-covid-affected-lawyers-1804941-2021-05-20 |access-date=15 September 2021 |publisher=India Today |date=20 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
#Initiate disciplinary action in case the official premises is used for other than professional purpose.<ref name="Delhi Bar Ref7">{{cite news |title=Delhi Bar Council suspends license of lawyer who performed 'Nikah' at his chamber |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/delhi-bar-council-suspends-license-of-lawyer-who-performed-nikah-at-his-chamber20210705163941/ |access-date=15 September 2021 |publisher=ANI News |date=5 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
#Fixing Annual Fee for members for enrolling in Council which includes fees for enrollment and funds towards identity card, building, library, indigent and other welfare schemes.<ref name="Delhi Bar Ref9">{{cite news |title=Bar Council of Delhi hikes enrolment fee, new joinees to pay Rs 14,300 |url=https://www.indialegallive.com/top-news-of-the-day/news/bar-council-of-delhi-bcd-enrolment-fee-hike/ |access-date=15 September 2021 |publisher=India Legal |date=9 January 2021}}</ref>
#Organising regular meeting with local associations enrolled with council.<ref name="Delhi Bar Ref12">{{cite news |title=Delhi: Bar council to hold meeting on reverting to physical mode |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-bar-council-to-hold-meeting-on-reverting-to-physical-mode/articleshow/80625873.cms |access-date=15 September 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=1 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
#Enrolling various bar associations in the state as its associate members.
#Resolving disputes between members within timeframe.<ref name="tamil ref5">{{cite news |title=Madras HC stays transfer of complaints against lawyers to Bar Council of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/madras-hc-stays-transfer-of-complaints-against-lawyers-to-bar-council-of-india/articleshow/74420958.cms |access-date=23 September 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=2 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
#Initiating disciplinary action against members for complying to its policies.<ref name="Kerala bar ref3">{{cite news |title=Kerala Bar Council to act against lawyer over FB post against cop Anie Siva |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-bar-council-act-against-lawyer-over-fb-post-against-cop-anie-siva-152524 |access-date=26 September 2021 |publisher=The News Minute |date=18 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="tamil ref8">{{cite news |title=Bar Council penalises new lawyers who put up hoardings |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/puducherry/bar-council-penalises-new-lawyers-who-put-up-hoardings/articleshow/67295852.cms |access-date=23 September 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=29 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
#Enrolling newly qualified lawyers into council.<ref name="Kerala bar ref2">{{cite news |title=Bar Council of Kerala organises first-ever online enrolment |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/jun/28/bar-council-of-kerala-organises-first-ever-online-enrolment-2162395.html |access-date=25 September 2021 |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=28 June 2020}}</ref>
#Occasionally verifying the renewal of the enrolled members.
#Ensuring polls are conducted to Bars associated with it.<ref name="orissa ref6">{{cite news |title=Orissa HC asks bar council to hold polls by month-end |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/orissa-hc-asks-bar-council-to-hold-polls-by-month-end/article26573519.ece |access-date=6 October 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=19 March 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

== Constitution ==
The State Council elects its own Chairman and Vice-Chairman i.e. the two statutory posts <ref name="Karnat Bar12"/> for a period of two years from amongst its members along with one Member Representative to the Bar Council of India for five years.<ref name="Telag Bar Ref4">{{cite news |last1=Suryam |first1=Areeb Uddin Ahmed, Shagun |title=Men's clubs that decide for everybody? Only 2.04% of State Bar Council representatives across India are women |url=https://www.barandbench.com/columns/only-204-of-state-bar-council-representatives-across-india-are-women |access-date=6 September 2021 |publisher=Bar and Bench |date=21 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Assisted by the various committees of the Council, the Chairman acts as the chief executive and director of the Council. Voting rights in general elections (for electing 25 Members to the Council) are available only for advocates having a Certificate of Practice. Till the year 2021, there were around 1,00,000 enrolled as members of the state Bar Council, and now in 2023 the number has grown by ten thousand newly enrolled lawyers each year.<ref name="barpun and har ref1">{{cite news |last1=Mar 13 |first1=Ajay Sura / TNN / |title=Minderjeet Yadav becomes chairman of state bar council of Punjab and Haryana|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/minderjeet-yadav-becomes-chairman-of-state-bar-council-of-punjab-and-haryana/articleshow/81484079.cms |access-date=7 October 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=13 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> As per the Advocates Act, the Bar Council of the state should have 25 members in case the members on roll exceeds 10000 and accordingly Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has 25 members and two ex-office being the Advocate General's of the two states i.e. Punjab and Haryana.

Suvir Sidhu was elected as youngest Chairman of Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana in 2022. Earlier he got elected as the youngest Member at the age of 27.<ref name="barpun and har ref1" />
Currently Dr. Vijender Ahlawat is the Chairman of Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana

==Enrollment of advocates==
Graduates having a law degree from recognised universities permitted to impart legal education are admitted as advocates in Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana.<ref name="Telag Bar Ref5">{{cite news |title=Any procedure in place for online enrollment of law grads, Delhi HC asks Bar Council of Delhi |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/any-procedure-in-place-for-online-enrollment-of-law-grads-hc-asks-bcd/story-7g6f5reL3joGTgT9fhTU0J.html |access-date=3 September 2021 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=4 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Law graduates can enroll online for Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana. State bar councils are empowered by Advocates Act, 1961 to frame rules according to their convenience for enrolling advocates in council. The enrollment committee formed by Councils will scrutinise a prospective member's application. Enrolled advocates of any bar council in state are considered as eligible to write the All India Bar Examination conducted by the Bar Council of India. After clearing the exam, he is certified by the Bar Council of India and issued the 'Certificate of Enrolment', which facilitates him to practice the profession of law in any High Court based in India and lower courts of the country, as an advocate. Advocates are required to qualify in the exam known as "Supreme Court Advocate on Record Examination" which is conducted by the Supreme Court exclusively to practice in the Supreme Court of Country.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

== Important actions ==
#In April 2021, Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana removed former IPS officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh after he requested for the same and also from the facility of Co-option and member of its disciplinary committee after some members complained against the position held by him.<ref name="barpun and har ref3">{{cite news |title=Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana removes ex-IPS Kunwar from disciplinary panel |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/bar-council-removes-ex-ips-kunwar-from-disciplinary-panel-7289171/ |access-date=7 October 2021 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=26 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
#In August 2021, Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana through its election tribunal had invalidated executive body elections of Chandigarh District Bar Association.<ref name="punhar ref4">{{cite news |title=Tribunal sets aside elections of Chandigarh Bar body |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/tribunal-sets-aside-elections-of-chandigarh-bar-body-101630094551275.html |access-date=7 October 2021 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=28 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Bar Council of India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://bcph.co.in/ official website]

[[Category:Legal organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Chandigarh]]