In a recent notification issued by the Punjab Bar Council, significant amendments have been made to The Punjab Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Rules, 2023. These amendments, passed during the Bar Council Meeting dated 09.12.2023, aim to regulate the conduct of lawyers, particularly concerning their presence on social media platforms.
One of the key amendments introduced by the Punjab Bar Council pertains to Rule 6.21, where a new sub-rule (xxxxi) has been added. This sub-rule strictly prohibits lawyers from engaging in certain behaviors on social media platforms while representing themselves as legal practitioners.
According to the newly added sub-rule, lawyers are barred from using social media for activities that may tarnish the dignity of the legal profession. Such unacceptable conduct includes modeling, TikToking, and posting videos with film dialogues, songs, or dancing, especially while in uniform. Additionally, lawyers are prohibited from making or supporting threats of violence, appearing with guns or bodyguards, or flaunting ostentatious displays of wealth or power. Moreover, advertising legal and other services in a manner inconsistent with the dignity of the legal profession is also strictly prohibited.
The notification emphasizes that lawyers, particularly when in uniform, must maintain the dignity of their profession and attire. Any violation of these regulations by an advocate will be considered as professional misconduct, warranting disciplinary action by the Punjab Bar Council.
These amendments underscore the commitment of the Punjab Bar Council to uphold the integrity and reputation of the legal profession in the region. They serve as a reminder to legal practitioners to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the profession and upholds its core values.
For more information on these amendments and their implications, legal practitioners are encouraged to contact the Punjab Bar Council directly.
