Section 7A of the Advocates Act, 1961: Membership in International Bodies
Section 7A of the Advocates Act, 1961 gives the Bar Council of India statutory authority to participate institutionally in international legal bodies and to incur specified expenditure connected with that participation.
What does Section 7A provide?
Section 7A - Membership in international bodies:
The Bar Council of India may become a member of international legal bodies such as the International Bar Association or the International Legal Aid Association, contribute such sums as it thinks fit to such bodies by way of subscription or otherwise and authorise expenditure on the participation of its representatives in any international legal conference or seminar.
The provision therefore deals with the international institutional role of the Bar Council of India. It is an enabling provision: it permits the Council to establish or maintain membership in international legal organisations, financially support such membership, and meet expenditure for participation by its representatives in international legal conferences and seminars.
Meaning and scope of Section 7A
- Membership in international legal bodies: The Bar Council of India may become a member of an international legal organisation. The statutory examples include the International Bar Association and the International Legal Aid Association.
- Subscriptions and contributions: The Council may contribute amounts to such international legal bodies by subscription or otherwise.
- Participation expenditure: The Council may authorise expenditure for participation of its representatives in international legal conferences or seminars.
- Discretionary power: The wording uses "may", indicating an enabling statutory power rather than a mandatory obligation to join any particular international organisation.
Legislative history
Section 7A was inserted into the Advocates Act, 1961 by section 8 of the Advocates (Amendment) Act, 1973 (Act 60 of 1973) and came into force on 31 January 1974.
This provision appears in Chapter II of the Advocates Act, which deals with Bar Councils. It follows Section 7, concerning the functions of the Bar Council of India, and precedes the provisions dealing with the term of office of members of State Bar Councils.
Why Section 7A is important
Section 7A provides a statutory basis for the Bar Council of India to engage with the international legal community. The provision enables institutional cooperation, representation at conferences and seminars, and participation in international professional organisations connected with law and legal aid.
The section is limited to the powers expressly described in it. It does not itself regulate enrolment of advocates, professional misconduct, disciplinary proceedings, legal education standards, or an individual advocate's right to practise outside India. Those matters are governed by other provisions of the Advocates Act, applicable rules, and other relevant laws.
Official text and reference
The current central legislation can be verified from the Government of India's official India Code publication of the Advocates Act, 1961.