Introduction 

The Delhi Advocates (Protection) Bill, 2023 has been prepared by the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD). The purpose of the bill is to protect advocates against incidences of assaults, killings, intimidation, and threats, which have been happening more frequently in the past.

The key point discussed in Bill 

• The bill defines violence against advocates, punishes offenders, provides compensation, and ensures that advocates are protected by law enforcement in the event of danger.
• The bill being considered would recognize the right to free speech and association while also requiring that “privileged communications between Advocates and Clients” be protected.
• Advocates are protected by the bill from unlawful detention and unfair prosecution, but only if they are covered by the Advocate Act of 1961.
• The Bill calls for the establishment of a permanent grievance redressal committee at the level of both the Delhi High Court and each District Court. The committees include the district judge who serves as the head of the judiciary, the president and secretary of the relevant bar association, and a representative of the Delhi Bar Council. The Chairman or a nominee of the Bar Council of Delhi, the President/Secretary of the Delhi High Court Bar Association, and the Hon’ble Chief Justice or his nominee will make up the High Court Committee. Two Senior Advocates or Former Office Bearers of Bar Associations may be included on the appropriate Committees.
• The Permanent Grievance Redressal Committee’s major goal is to protect any incident that occurs on the court grounds and will make every attempt to get it resolved. The Delhi High Court and Bar Council will be referred if the circumstances call for it. The Committee will have the authority to give pertinent instructions about the facts that are presented to it.