Report No. 249

38. Legal Practitioners' Act, Act 18 of 1879

Category: Legal, Medical and Other Professions

Recommendation: Repeal after making suitable amendments to the Advocates Act, 1961

This law was enacted to consolidate all the rules relating to the enrolment, conduct, and service of legal practitioners. However, after the coming into force of the Advocates Act, 1961, all the provisions of the Act stand repealed with the exception of Sections 1, 3 and 36. While Sections 1 and 3 are the title clause and the interpretation clause respectively, Section 36 empowers the High Courts to frame a list of touts, and prescribes the punishment for touting.

These provisions can be incorporated into the Advocates Act, 1961 by means of a suitable amendment, so that the entire law on this subject can be found in one place. After making amendments to the Advocates Act, 1961, this Act should be repealed. This Act has been recommended for repeal by the PC Jain Commission Report (Appendix A-1).