Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna has called for introspection among bar councils concerning their role in maintaining professional ethics, morality, and competence within the legal field. Speaking at the 13th convocation ceremony of National Law University, Delhi on August 29, 2026, Justice Nagarathna emphasized that it is a troubling sign when bar councils do not command the respect of their members. “The Bar Councils, whether central or state, must reflect on their significance in upholding professional ethics, morality, and competence. When they fail to earn the respect of their members, it reflects poorly on the legal profession,” she stated.
The event was attended by esteemed guests, including Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, who serves as the Chancellor of the University, along with other judges from the Delhi High Court and Vice-Chancellor Prof. GS Bajpai. Justice Nagarathna’s remarks follow a recent controversy involving Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, who instructed state bar councils to withhold the enrolment of NALSAR Hyderabad’s 2026 graduating class. This directive came after students expressed objections to the invitation extended to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for their convocation.
Justice Nagarathna further urged the legal fraternity in India to unify and address critical issues such as case backlogs, procedural delays, escalating costs, and systemic uncertainties. “The Bar must rise and articulate a unified stance on sustaining the justice delivery system in India,” she stated.
Highlighting the importance of independence within the Bar, she remarked, “The independence of the Bar is not a privilege for lawyers’ personal gain. It exists because constitutional democracy demands a cadre of professionals capable of advising, arguing, challenging, and representing without requiring approval from the State, market, or even clients.” Justice Nagarathna warned that any errors or lapses by the Bar could profoundly affect political and civic life, urging lawyers to adopt a mindset of public service in their work, warning that failure to do so may render them irrelevant in the future.
Discussing the broader scope of the legal profession, Justice Nagarathna asserted, “A profession is not merely an occupation or trade but a position of trust,” emphasizing that lawyers should not be perceived merely as individuals who charge for legal knowledge by the hour. Concluding her address, she reminded the graduates that they are leaving the institution as “Officers of the Court and Stewards of the Constitution.”
