Advocates (Amendment) Bill 2025 to Recognise Corporate Lawyers as “Legal Practitioners”

The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduces landmark reforms to the Advocates Act, 1961, officially recognising corporate lawyers, in-house counsel, and legal professionals working outside courtrooms as “legal practitioners.”

The Bill also expands the definition of “law graduate”, introduces provisions for experience certification, and modernises the legal profession to ensure transparency and accountability.

Key Amendments Under the Bill

1. Corporate Lawyers & In-House Counsel Recognised as Legal Practitioners

• The revised definition of “legal practitioner” now includes law graduates working in law firms, private companies, public organisations, statutory bodies, and foreign law firms.
• This is a major win for corporate lawyers and in-house counsel, who were previously excluded from the definition of legal practitioners under the Advocates Act, 1961.

New Definition of “Legal Practitioner”:
“Legal Practitioner” means any Advocate or law graduate engaged in the practice of law before courts, tribunals, or quasi-judicial forums or doing legal work in any private or public organisation, including but not limited to statutory and autonomous bodies, domestic and foreign law firms, and corporate entities.“

2. Expansion of “Law Graduate” Definition

• The Bill revises Section 2(h) of the Advocates Act, 1961 to include all law graduates with a three-year or five-year law degree, or any other prescribed legal education from a recognised institution.
• This change ensures that more legal professionals are eligible for formal recognition in the legal sector.

3. “Practice of Law” Broadened Beyond Courtrooms

• Earlier, legal practitioners were limited to courtroom practice. The new Bill expands “practice of law” to include corporate legal work, legal consulting, and in-house advisory roles.
• This change bridges the gap between litigation lawyers and corporate legal professionals, allowing all qualified law graduates to be recognised under the same legal framework.

4. Introduction of Experience Certification

• The Bill introduces an “experience certificate” provision under Section 2(i), allowing legal professionals to obtain formal proof of experience from:
  • State Bar Councils
  • Bar Associations
  • Courts, Tribunals, and Quasi-Judicial Forums
  • Law Firms & Corporate Entities
• This certification ensures that corporate lawyers can demonstrate professional experience equivalent to litigating lawyers.

Industry Reactions

Several General Counsels (GCs) and corporate lawyers have welcomed the move, calling it a major step toward legal reform.

• Tejal Patil, GC at Wipro: “This is the beginning of rethinking, redefining, and evolving the legal profession in India. Recognising in-house lawyers as legal practitioners is a visionary step.”
• Dr. Sanjeev Gemawat, MD & Group GC at Essar Group: “These reforms strengthen the legal framework, enhance transparency, and bring integrity to the profession.”

The General Counsels Association of India (GCAI) also played a key role in pushing for these reforms, emphasising the need to modernise India’s legal framework.

Next Steps

• The Union Law Ministry has circulated the Bill for public feedback before it is introduced in Parliament.
• If passed, the law will formally recognise corporate legal work as a valid legal profession, creating new career opportunities and leveling the playing field for non-litigating lawyers.