BPE401 | Professional Ethics and Legal Profession

In recent times (particularly post-globalized era) the legal profession has undergone an unusual transition. At the global level transnational law firms, and the opening of legal services for foreign lawyers are influencing the legal profession. At the local level, the profession is challenged by technological changes (AI, MI and Big-data analysis), growing adaptation of ADR methods, and growing tribalization (allowing non-lawyers to participate).

These changes mostly have eroded, if not erased the professional monopoly lawyers have enjoyed over a period. Needless to say, law as a profession is undergoing a metamorphosis change. Therefore every student of law (a would-be lawyer) needs to explain – (i) how he is going to be part of one of the oldest and glorious professions in human history; (ii) how he needs to change his strategies to reposition to continue the glorious tradition, the legal profession has to offer; and (iii) sensitizing him to the much needed ethical value system, which alone would make him succeed not only as an individual professional but the very profession itself.

Considering these, the present course primarily exposes the student to embracing higher ethical standards as a legal professional; and appreciate the core values of professional conduct in the practice of law. Simultaneously the present course also attempts to develop a greater sense of responsibility and pride that he belongs to the glorious professional community of lawyers, who have contributed richly to make this world a civilized place.

It is the paramount duty of every legal practitioner to act as an officer of the court and to assist them in the administration of justice by respecting and honoring the judicial institutions and condemning all acts of contempt of these institutions. In addition, the course will help the student to understand the workings of the various regulatory authorities like the BCI, the State Bar Councils etc.

Professional Ethics is a mandatory course under the Bar Council of India but includes professional accountancy as an integral part of the course. It is hoped that this part of the course will taught (by a competent teacher in finance and accountancy) as a one-credit or elective course. It is also a compulsory paper in the Bar Exam and Advocate-on-Record examination.