Advocates Amendment Bill aims to weed out ‘touts’

Source: The post is based on the article “Advocates Amendment Bill aims to weed out ‘touts’” published in “Indian Express” on 9th December 2023

Why in the News?

Lok Sabha has passed the Advocates Amendment Bill 2023 during the Winter Session.

What is the Advocates Amendment Bill 2023?

Aim: To amend the Advocates Act of 1961 and repeal the Legal Practitioners Act of 1879.

Key Provisions of the bill:

1) Punishment for illegally practising in courts: The bill prescribes six months of imprisonment for persons illegally practicing in courts and before other authorities.

2) Touts: The bill enables every High Court (HC) and district judge to frame and publish lists of touts. However, before inclusion in the list, the person should be given an opportunity to be heard.
– Once a person’s name is included in the list, the judge may exclude them from the premises of the Court.

Note- A tout is someone who procures clients for a legal practitioner in exchange for payment.

3) Penalty for touts: Any person who acts as a tout while his name is included in the list of touts will be punished with imprisonment up to three months, a fine up to Rs. 500 or both.

What is the Legal Practitioners Act of 1879?

1) The Legal Practitioners Act came into force in 1880. The act aims to consolidate and amend the law relating to Legal Practitioners in certain provinces.

2) The Act defined the term “legal practitioner” to include advocates, vakils , or attorneys of any High Court. 

3) It also defined the term “tout”.

What is the Advocates Act of 1961?

The Advocates Act, 1961 was enacted to create a single Act to regulate the legal profession and to provide for the constitution of Bar Councils and an All-India Bar.

UPSC Syllabus: Bills in News