Three lawyers have filed a petition before the Madhya Pradesh High Court challenging a series of sponsored advertisements and celebrity endorsements promoting online legal services.
The plea highlights YouTube advertisements featuring a popular actor dressed as a judicial figure, urging viewers to buy pre-priced legal service packages. According to the petitioners, these ads mislead the public, reduce advocacy to an e-commerce product, and violate Rules 36 and 37 of the Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules, which prohibit advertising and solicitation by advocates.
Background of the Case
- On January 10, 2025, a cease-and-desist notice was issued to YouTube.
- On February 21, 2025, YouTube denied the applicability of the Advocates Act, 1961.
- A formal complaint was later filed with the BCI and the State Bar Council, but no action followed.
Petitioners’ Key Arguments
- The ads commercialise the legal profession and undermine its dignity.
- Portraying legal services as fixed-price packages misleads consumers.
- Platforms like YouTube and Instagram should be held accountable for hosting and monetising unlawful content.
Reliefs Sought
- Immediate removal of all such advertisements and reels.
- Monitoring mechanism by the BCI, State Bar Council, and Union ministries to prevent recurrence.
- Accountability on intermediaries, with reference to the Madras High Court’s ruling in PN Vignesh v. BCI (2024), which restricted blanket safe-harbour protection for platforms hosting unlawful content.
- Deposit of all unlawful gains from such activities into the Advocates’ Welfare Fund.
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