About Us
Himachal Pradesh Bar Council is the regulatory and statutorily representative body for lawyers practicing law in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It was constituted as per the mandatory requirement as per Advocates Act, 1961 and Bar Council of India. In March 1953, S. R. Das as head of the 'All India Bar Committee', proposed the creation of the apex body as an All-India Bar Council and Bar council at state levels and submitted a report to the Central Government of India. Members of the Bar Council are elected from among members enrolled and practicing as lawyers practicing law in the state of Himachal Pradesh and they represent the state in Bar Council of India.Â
History
The Himachal Pradesh Bar Council was formed as per the requirement of Section 3 of Advocates Act, 1961 which mandates for each state of India to have its Bar Council. As per the guidelines the legal profession in India and the standards of legal education would be regulated by All India Bar Council . The Law Commission of India was suggested to prepare a report on judicial administration reforms in India.
Enrollment of advocates
Graduates having a law degree from recognized universities permitted to impart legal education are admitted as advocates in The Himachal Pradesh Bar Council. Law graduates can enroll online for Himachal Pradesh Bar Council. State bar councils are empowered by Advocates Act, 1961 to frame rules according to their convenience for enrolling advocates in council. The enrollment committee formed by Councils will scrutinize a prospective member's application. Enrolled advocates of any bar council in-state are considered as eligible to write the All India Bar Examination conducted by the Bar Council of India. After clearing the exam, he is certified by Bar Council of India and issued 'the Certificate of Enrolment', which facilitates him to practice the profession of law in any High Court based in India and lower courts of the country, as an advocate. Advocates are required to qualify in the exam known as "Supreme Court Advocate on Record Examination" which is conducted by the Supreme Court exclusively to practice in the Supreme Court of Country.
Constitution
The council elects its own chairman and vice-chairman for a period of five years from amongst its members. Assisted by the various committees of the council, the chairman acts as the chief executive and director of the council. Voting rights in elections are available only for advocates having a Certificate of Practice. As per the Advocates Act, the bar council of the state should have 25 members in case the members on roll exceeds 10000
Mr. Ajay Kochhar was elected as Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Bar Council in the year 2021 after passing away of previous chairman Mr. Ramakant Sharma due to COVID-19.