How to get enrolled as an Advocate in India? A step by step guide

The Author, Benson Binoy is a 1st Year, B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi. He is currently interning with LatestLaws.com.

Step 1: Checking Eligibility

You must meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the Bar Council of India (BCI) in order to register as an advocate in India.

These criteria include:

• You must be an Indian citizen.
• You must have completed a law degree from a recognized university in India or abroad.
• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must not have any criminal convictions or pending criminal cases.

Step 2: Submission of required documents

You will need to submit the following documents before you can register as an advocate in India:

• A law degree certificate from a recognized university.
• A mark sheet of your law degree.
• A certificate of enrollment from your State Bar Council.
• A passport-sized photograph.
• A demand draft for the registration fee.

Step 3: Registration with the Bar Council of India

To register as an advocate in India, you must first register with the Bar Council of India (BCI).

To do this, follow these steps:

• Visit the BCI website and download the registration form.
• Fill out the form with your personal details, educational qualifications, and other required information.
• Attach the required documents to the form, including your law degree certificate, mark sheet, certificate of enrollment, photograph, and demand draft.
• Submit the form and documents to the BCI office in person or by post.

Step 4: Register with the State Bar Council

Once you have registered with the BCI, you must also register with the State Bar Council, where you intend to practice law. To do this, follow these steps:

• Obtain a registration form from the State Bar Council office or website.
• Fill out the form with your personal details, educational qualifications, and other required information.
• Attach the required documents, including your BCI registration certificate, law degree certificate, mark sheet, and certificate of enrollment.
• Submit the form and documents to the State Bar Council office in person or by post.

Step 5: Complete the training requirements

After registering with the State Bar Council, you must complete a mandatory training program called the Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (COP) training. This program consists of 6 months of training and covers various aspects of legal practice, including drafting, pleading, and advocacy.

Step 6: Obtain a license to practice law

After completing the COP training, you must obtain a license to practice law from the State Bar Council. To do this, you must:

• Pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE), which tests your knowledge of various aspects of law.
• Pay the license fee and submit the required documents, including your COP training certificate and AIBE scorecard.

Following the completion of these steps and the subsequent obtaining of your license to practice law, you can begin practicing as an advocate in India.