Of all India's professions, law has one of the strictest lines on promotion. Advocates cannot advertise or solicit work — and the Bar Council of India tightened enforcement sharply in 2024–2025. This guide explains Rule 36, the narrow exception that exists, and what recently landed lawyers in trouble.
The core rule: Rule 36
Under Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules, an advocate must not solicit work or advertise — directly or indirectly — whether by circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications, interviews not warranted by personal relations, or by furnishing photographs for publication in connection with cases. The prohibition is broad and deliberately so.
The one narrow exception (2008)
A 2008 amendment to Rule 36 created a limited carve-out: an advocate may maintain a website disclosing basic, factual information — name, contact details, enrolment/qualifications, and areas of practice — subject to conditions (the information must not be false or misleading, and the website must be furnished under intimation to, and as approved by, the Bar Council of India). It is a permission to be found, not a licence to market.
The 2024–2025 crackdown
The BCI has made its position unmistakable in recent enforcement:
- A July 2024 press release warned against advocate advertising and directed State Bar Councils to take disciplinary action.
- A March 2025 directive specifically prohibited using celebrities, social-media influencers and entertainment figures to promote legal services.
- State Bar Councils were told to require withdrawal of violating advertisements, removal of promotional banners, videos and online content, and action against advocates who list or promote on commercial platforms.
So what can an advocate do?
- Maintain a factual website within the 2008 limits.
- Build a genuine professional profile (e.g. LinkedIn) with factual credentials — not promotional messaging.
- Contribute real legal education — articles, talks, commentary on the law — that informs the public without soliciting work or referencing your own cases for effect.
We cover how to do the third safely in Building an online presence as a lawyer in India.
Publish legal thought-leadership designed to stay clear of Rule 36
BrandSaathi drafts educational, non-soliciting content for advocates and flags the conduct rule each draft touches — so you review before you publish.