Are law firms allowed to advertise in India?

Asked by: Jeromy Corkery  |  Last update: December 21, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (30 votes)

Is this right in such a competitive world where everything reaches people only through commercialised platforms? Let us find out. Lawyers and law firm advertising are not permitted to advertise their professional services in India, as per the rules established by the Bar Council of India or BCI.

Are lawyers allowed to advertise in India?

Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India prohibits lawyers from advertising their legal services. The legal profession is highly respected and is considered to be a noble profession and any advertisement of legal services is considered to be a compromise on the nobility of this profession.

What are the advertising laws in India?

Deceptive or misleading advertisements are restricted under various legislation including the Consumer Protection Act, 1986; the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994; the Norms for Journalist Conduct issued by the Press Council of India Act, and the ASCI Code.

Are law firms regulated in India?

The Bar Council of India and the appropriate state bar councils are responsible for regulation of the profession. There are 18 state bar councils and two High Court Authorities (Jammu and Kashmir, and Jharkhand). The Bar Council of India is responsible for: setting standards of professional conduct.

Can lawyers solicit clients in India?

An advocate shall not solicit work or advertise in any manner.

Why Lawyers cannot advertise in India?

42 related questions found

Is soliciting legal in India?

Prostitution is legal in India, but a number of related activities including soliciting, kerb crawling, owning or managing a brothel, prostitution in a hotel, child prostitution, pimping and pandering are illegal.

Is attorney client privilege applicable in India?

The Indian Evidence Act 1872 treats the contents or condition of any document with which a barrister, attorney, pleader or vakil (now advocates) has become acquainted in the course of and for the purpose of their professional employment as privileged information.

Can an American lawyer practice in India?

Although permitted to practice in India, foreign lawyers must fulfill the eligibility criteria laid down by the Bar Council of India. To be eligible to practice law in India, foreign lawyers with a degree: Must be eligible to practice in their country. Must register with the Bar Council of India.

Which is India's biggest law firm?

1. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. This firm is one of the largest law firms in India. It has seven offices all across the country, which are located in major cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Gurugram.

Are foreign law firms allowed in India?

International Law Firms and Foreign Lawyers Can Now Practice Law in India. Foreign lawyers and foreign law firms can practice foreign law in India on a reciprocity basis, under the “BCI Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022”.

What are the guidelines for advertising in India?

The Misleading Ads Guidelines stipulate the manner of displaying disclaimers in advertisements and require disclosure of any connection between the endorser and the trader, manufacturer or advertiser of the endorsed product, if such endorsement is not reasonably expected and if it can materially affect the value or the ...

What are 3 laws that regulate advertising?

Regulatory and Legal Framework

Some of the main laws include the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act), the laws implemented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), and Section 43(a) of the Lanham Trademark Act.

What is the commercial law in India?

The commercial laws in India, inter alia, are The Indian Contract Act, 1872, the Sale of Goods Act, 1930, the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 and the Companies Act, 2013.

Why aren't lawyers allowed to advertise?

In the view of some, lawyer advertising is just not professional. If this comes as a shock to you, it was not until 1977, in the case of Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, 433 WS. 350 (1977), that the United States Supreme Court held that bans on lawyer advertising were impermissible.

What are the laws regulating advertising in India?

Let's take a look at the several legislations that are responsible for controlling misleading advertisements: Press Council of India Act, 1978. Cable television regulation act, 1955 and Cable television amendment act, 2006. Establishment of the ASCI (Advertisement standard council of India), 1985.

Can lawyers have websites in India?

A.L. Subramanian (1967): This landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of India upheld the BCI's authority to regulate advertising by lawyers. However, the court also acknowledged that lawyers can have a website containing basic information about their qualifications, areas of practice, and contact details.

Do Indian law firms pay well?

In 2024, the highest paying law firms in India offer starting salaries ranging from ₹15-18 LPA for fresh graduates, with senior lawyers and partners earning up to ₹1 crore annually.

What is Asia's fastest growing law firm?

  • ARMA Law. Indonesia.
  • AVYA Law Firm. Indonesia.
  • Charles Russell Speechlys. Hong Kong, Singapore.
  • Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. India.
  • DSK Legal. India.
  • Eng and Co. Singapore.
  • Gateway Law Corporation. Singapore.
  • Global Vietnam Lawyers. Vietnam.

Is the USA law degree valid in India?

If you study law in the U.S. you may not be able to practice law in India unless I assume you take a Bar conversion course or a solicitors qualification. From experience, American law is quite different from the law in a Common law jurisdiction, especially in the approach of understanding.

Can an Indian lawyer fight a case in USA?

Yes, Indian lawyers can practice in the USA, but they must meet specific requirements. This involves passing a state bar exam, with states like New York and California being more flexible for foreign-trained lawyers. Indian lawyers need to complete an LLM from an ABA-accredited law school to qualify.

Can an OCI holder practice law in India?

On your question: OCIs can be lawyers in India. There is a GOI notification re the same. Get an OCI card after your citizenship change and you should be fine.

Can a lawyer deny a client in India?

The answer is NO. A lawyer cannot refuse to take a client unless he/she is engaged in some other case.

Can I give power of attorney to my lawyer in India?

Yes, US citizens can grant Power of Attorney for use in India. However, the document must be notarized in the US, attested by the Indian consulate, and comply with Indian laws to be legally valid.

What voids attorney-client privilege?

Imminent death or harm. Your attorney can't be held to attorney-client privilege if they believe that keeping your confidence would result in death or significant physical harm to someone.