Why is it in the News?

The Lok Sabha recently passed a Bill that seeks to regulate the legal profession by targeting “touts”, with Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal asserting there should be no role of such persons in courts.

About the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023:

• The Rajya Sabha introduced the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in August 2023.
• This bill amends the Advocates Act of 1961, specifically repealing certain sections related to touts under the Legal Practitioners Act of 1879.
• The 1961 Act consolidates laws regarding legal practitioners and establishes Bar Councils and the All-India Bar.
• Having already passed in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session, the bill aims to regulate the legal profession through a single act with a focus on addressing the issue of touts.

Key Features of the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023:

• Touts: High Courts, district judges, sessions judges, district magistrates, and revenue officers are empowered to create and publish lists of touts.
  • A tout is defined as a person who either seeks or secures the employment of a legal practitioner in legal matters for payment or frequents specific locations to obtain such employment.
  • The Court or judge has the authority to bar any person listed as a tout from the premises of the Court.
• Preparation of Lists: Authorities with the power to create tout lists may instruct subordinate courts to conduct inquiries into individuals suspected or alleged to be touts.
  • If proven, the person's name can be included in the list, ensuring due process is followed before inclusion.
• Penalty: Individuals acting as touts while being listed can face imprisonment up to three months, a fine up to Rs 500, or both.