Lok Sabha Passes Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023: A Leap Towards Streamlining Legal Profession

In a significant move, the Lok Sabha approved the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aiming to revoke the antiquated Legal Practitioners Act of 1879 and amend the Advocates Act, of 1961. The Bill, introduced by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, aligns with the government's commitment to discard "all obsolete laws or pre-independence Acts."

Minister Meghwal, while presenting the Bill, stated, "The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is part of the ongoing process of repealing old and obsolete laws. It is a continuation of the government's policy to weed out irrelevant laws and reduce litigation."

The proposed legislation seeks to regulate the legal profession exclusively through the Advocates Act of 1961, effectively nullifying the Legal Practitioners Act of 1879. The Bill upholds a provision addressing touts in courts, crucial for maintaining the integrity of the legal system.

Minister Meghwal highlighted the significance of this step, saying, "It is important to reduce the number of 'superfluous enactments' on the statute books. The incorporation of Section 36 from the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879 into the Advocates Act, 1961 is a step towards achieving this goal."

The passage of this Bill marks a crucial stride in the government's mission to streamline legal practices and eliminate outdated laws, ensuring a more efficient and modernized legal framework.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University