Md Rifat at 20:24, 14 April 2026

2026-04-14T20:24:31Z

New page

{{Short description|Legal organisation}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Bar Council of Karnataka
| type = Statutory body
| nativename_r = ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಬಾರ್ ಕೌನ್ಸಿಲ್
| formed = {{start date and age|2018|06|30|df=y|p=y}}
| headquarters = Old Election Commission Building, Bengaluru
| chief1_name = Srinivasas Babu L.<ref name="Karnata Bar Ref1">{{cite web |title=Karnataka State Bar Council |url=http://ksbc.org.in/present_chairman_members.php |website=ksbc.org.in |access-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>
| chief1_position = Chairman
| chief2_name = Kiwad Kalmeshwar Tukaram
| chief2_position = Vice Chairman
| website = http://ksbc.org.in/index.php
}}

'''Bar Council of Karnataka''' is the regulatory and statutorily representative body for [[lawyers]] practicing law in the state of [[Karnataka]]. It was constituted as per the mandatory requirement as per [[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 among members enrolled and practicing as lawyers in Karnataka and they represent the state in Bar Council of India meetings. Bar Council of a place designs standards of [[professional conduct]] to be followed by members, and designs [[etiquette]]s and has the power to enforce disciplinary guidelines over the members of bar council.

== History ==

Bar Council of Karnataka was formed as per the requirement of Section 3 of Advocates Act, 1961<ref name="Karnata Bar Ref1" /> which mandates each state of India to have a Bar Council. On 30 June 2018,<ref name="Karnata Bar Ref1" /> the Karnataka Bar Council 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.

In July 2021, the state Bar Council along with Bar Councils of other Southern states of India had requested the Vice-President [[M. Venkaiah Naidu|Mr Venkaiah Naidu]] and Supreme Court Chief Justice [[N. V. Ramana|Hon. N. V. Ramana]] for the setting up of separate bench for Southern India.<ref name="Karnat Bar Ref4">{{cite news |title=Plea to set up SC bench in south |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/plea-to-set-up-sc-bench-in-south/article35550291.ece |access-date=3 September 2021 |publisher=The Hindu |date=26 July 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="Karnat Bar Ref5">{{cite news |last1=Mutha |first1=Sagar Kumar |title=Bar councils of five states call for an SC bench in south India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bar-councils-of-five-states-call-for-an-sc-bench-in-south-india/articleshow/80440609.cms |access-date=3 September 2021 |publisher=The Times of India |date=25 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== 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:<ref name="Karnata Bar Ref1" />

#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 adhoc 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 |publisher=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 |publisher=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 |publisher=The Times of India |date=1 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== Constitution ==

The council elects its own Chairman and Vice-Chairman<ref name="Karnat Bar12" /> for a period of two years from amongst its members.<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 - Indian Legal news |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 elections are available only for advocates having a Certificate of Practice. Till the year 2018, there were around 1,10,000 enrolled advocates as members of the Karnataka State Bar Council.<ref name="Kart bar ref6" /><ref name="Karnata Bar Ref1" /> 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 Karnataka State Bar Council has 27 members.<ref name="Karnata Bar Ref1" />

==Enrollment of advocates==

Graduates having a law degree from recognised universities permitted to impart legal education are admitted as advocates in Karnatka Bar Council.<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 Karnataka Bar Council. 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.

== Notable actions ==
In 2021, Karnataka State Bar Council supported its 733 members who suffered from Covid with financial assistance to the extent of 1.06 crores. The council gave Rs 25000 to advocate members who were hospitalised in addition to Rs 10,000 for those who underwent home quarantine.<ref name="Kart bar ref6" />

In 2021, Karnataka State Bar Council also requested Rs 25 crores financial grant to its members due to courts lockdown and their limited function due to Covid and made the representation to Karnataka Chief Minister.<ref name="Kart bar ref6" />

Karnataka Bar Council in 2021 suspended a lawyer representing a victim who was a party in a case involving sleaze CD.<ref name="Karnat Bar8" />

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

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://ksbc.org.in/ official website]


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

Bar Council of Karnataka - Revision history

Md Rifat at 20:24, 14 April 2026