Duties of an Advocate towards his Colleagues in India :

Section IV of the Bar Council of India Rules, describes the duties of an advocate
towards his colleagues under Rules 36, 37, 38 and 39 these duties of an advocate have
been enumerated. Under Rule 36, an Advocate shall not solicit work or advertise (either
directly or indirectly) whether by circulars or advertisement, touts, personal
communications, interview not warranted by personal relations, furnishing or inspiring
newspaper comments or producing his photograph to be published in connection with cases
in which he has been engaged or concerned. His sign-board or name-plate should be of
reasonable size. The sign-board or name-plate or stationery should not indicate that he is or
has been President or Member of a Bar Councilor of any particular clause or matter or that
he specialises in any particular type of work or that he has been a Judge or an Advocate-
General. Rule 37 provides that an advocate shall not allow his professional services or his
name to be used in aid of or to make possible, the unauthorised practice by any law agency.

According to Rule 38, an advocate shall not accept a fee less than the fee taxable
under the rules when the client is able to pay the same. Rule 39 provides that an Advocate
shall not enter appearance in any case in which there is already a Vakalat or memo or
appearance filed by an Advocate engaged for a party except with his consent, in case such
consent is not produced he shall apply to the court stating reasons why the said consent
could not be produced and he shall appear only after obtaining the permission of the court.
The purpose behind the provisions of Rule 39 is that an Advocate has to keep goodwill
among his fellow Advocates. It is a matter of professional ethics that an Advocate should
discourage any client from changing his counsel. He should advise such clients that without
proper reasons or necessity they should not do so for the sake of fair administration of
justice. It means that the Advocate has to maintain cordial relationship with his brethren
counsels in discharge of his duties

I) Duty towards public -

An advocate is a privileged member of the community and a gentleman beside
being a citizen. He has greater responsibility to protect the country and lead the community
.

A) Duty towards country -

1) An advocate shall endeavor to make the laws suitable to the well being of the people .

2) An Advocate shall guard the liberty and freedom of the people.

3) An Advocate should protect the fundamental and human rights and respect the
constitution of the nation.

4) An advocate should strive for social legislation's to accelerate the advent of socialistic
pattern of society in India by dedicating to the public service .

4)An advocate shall uphold the integrity and Unity of the nation .

5) An advocate shall educate the people to respect the law and respect for the courts and
the judges .

B) Duty towards community -

1)An advocate shall establish Legal Aid Societies for the purpose of rendering legal
assistance to really poor and deserving persons free of any charge .

2) An advocate shall help the people local bodies such as panchayats in villages to function
on sound lines, so that the people may discharge their functions in an enlightened and
responsible manner.

3) An advocate shall provide Legal education to the illiterate and working people by
informing them for the rights and legal provisions in simple language .

4)An advocate shall compose family differences and Settle petty Disputes and controversies
by amicable settlement.

5) An advocate shall educate the masses on the right lines to come out of many social ills
from which people are suffering.

6) An advocate shall work with social welfare committees to promote social order in which
justice ,political ,economic and social will be assured to one and .

II) Duty towards the court

1) An advocate should be straightforward and his arguments should be pointed, clear,

precise and concise.

2) An advocate should have sense of humor and pleasing manners in his arguments.

3) An advocate must be tactful in presenting the matters.

4)An Advocate should not mislead the Court .

5) An advocate shall not influence the decision of the court by any illegal or improper
Means.

6) An advocate shall appear in the court at all times only in the prescribed dress. He shall
not wear a band or gown in public places other than in Courts.

7) An advocate shall, when presenting his case and while otherwise acting before a court,
conduct himself with dignity and self respect.

8) An Advocate shall not enter appearance, act, plead or practice in any way before a Court
, tribunal or authority on behalf of close kith and Kin.

9) An advocate shall not criticize the Judiciary with malice .

10) An advocate should not act or plead in any matter in which he himself pecuniarily
interested .

11)An advocate shall not stand as a surety or certify the soundness of a surety for his
client, required for the purpose of any legal proceedings.

12) An advocate Shall assist court by presenting fully the pertinent law in his case.
A) Duty towards the client-
1) An advocate shall fearlessly uphold the interests of his client by All fair and honorable
means without regard any unpleasant consequences to himself or any other .

2) An advocate shall fairly and reasonably submit the case on behalf of his client.

3) An advocate shall pay attention which he is capable of giving to the case he is dealing.

4) An advocate shall not act on the instructions of any person either than his Client or
authorised agent.

5)An advocate shall not ordinarily withdraw from engagements ones accepted, without
sufficient cause and unless reasonable and sufficient notice is given to the client.

6) An advocate shall not do anything whereby be abuses or takes advantage. of the

confidence reposed in him by his client.

7) An advocate shall not accept a fee less than the fee taxable under the rules when the
client is able to pay the same .

8) An advocate shall not adjust fee payable to him by his client against his own personal
liability to the client which liability does not arise in the course of his employment as an
advocate.

9) An advocate should keep accounts of the clients money entrusted to him.

10) An advocate shall not lend money to his client for the purpose of any action or legal
proceedings in which he is engaged by such client.

11) An advocate shall not disclose Communications made to them in course of their
professional engagement even after the case is over.

B) Duty towards opponent -

1) An advocate shall not communicate or negotiate upon the subject matter of controversy
with any party represented by an advocate except through that advocate.

2) An advocate shall not mislead an opponent, or put him on the wrong scent regarding any
point in the case.

3) An Advocate shall do his best to carry out all legitimate promises made to the opposite
party even though not reduced to writing.

III) Duty towards colleagues -

1) An advocate shall not solicit work or advice directly or indirectly through Mass
Communication.

2) An advocate shall not pursue his profession in spirit of competition or rivalry, with his
brethren.
3) An advocate should be courteous to opposing Counsel and should accede io reasonable
request regarding Court proceedings .

4) An advocate shall not enter appearance in any case in which there is already a
vakalatnama or Memo of appearance filed by an advocate engaged for a party expect with
his consent.

5) An advocate does not envy another advocate who attains to position and rank and
earns well.

6) An younger advocate must be cordial and relationship and pay respect to senior
advocates .

7) An advocates shall be ready to give help and advice to brother members.

8) An advocate shall strive at all the levels aid the legal profession in advancing the
standard of members of profession

Advocate should maintain their high traditions of Fearless Independence, probity and
integrity, and live up to their noble ideals, and dedicated lives for the Vindication of truth,
and Justice, and also for good of the common man.