Advocates in India have often been asked whether they can have a website at all. The short answer is that websites are allowed, but the Bar Council's rules on advertising and solicitation decide what can appear on one. Those rules have been amended over time, so the current position is something to confirm with your state bar council before you publish, not something to take from a blog post.
This article is general information, not legal advice. It explains the kinds of content that people usually check against the rules, so you know what to ask.
The principle behind the rules
The rules are built around one idea: a lawyer may make factual information available, but may not advertise, seek work or make claims that compare or promise results. A website that states who you are, what you practise and how to reach you is in a different position from one that promotes your fees, your success or your rivals.
Check the current wording of the rules, including any amendments, before you rely on the principle.
Usually factual, and checked
Content that is commonly reviewed against the rules includes:
- Your name, enrolment details and the courts or tribunals where you're enrolled, stated as facts.
- Your qualifications and the fields you practise in, described in plain terms.
- Your office address, phone number and office hours.
Each of these should be accurate and checked against your enrolment papers.
Usually avoided
Content that often causes trouble includes:
- Claims of being the best, the leading or the most experienced lawyer in a field.
- Promises or percentages about success in cases.
- Fee advertising, discounts or offers, unless the rules allow your specific disclosure.
- Client testimonials or case results that identify a client.
- Comparisons with other lawyers or firms.
- Language that asks visitors to instruct you, rather than providing information.
If you're unsure whether a line is permitted, leave it out until you've checked.
Who confirms the current position
Your state bar council is the body to ask about the current rules for your practice. A lawyer who has practised for a while may also know of guidance issued since the last amendment. Keep a note of the date you checked, and review the site whenever the rules change.
Setting up the site responsibly
Keep the site factual and plain. Show what you do and how to reach you, and nothing more. Have the wording reviewed by a lawyer before publishing, and keep a record of who approved each page.
Quick checklist
- Confirm the current Bar Council rules with your state bar council before publishing.
- Keep to factual details: your name, enrolment, the courts and the office address.
- Remove any claim of being the best, or the leading lawyer in a field.
- Leave out fee advertising unless the rules allow your disclosure.
- Remove testimonials and case results that could identify a client.
- Have a lawyer review the final wording, and record who approved it.
What to do next
The lawyer websites page explains how a rule-aware site is usually structured, including the disclaimer and contact sections. A business website is the right base for your law practice, and the business websites page explains how one is laid out. Confirm the rules first, then write the pages within them.