BCI Orders State Bar Councils to Widely Publicise Supreme Court’s Ban on Unauthorised Sharing of Court Proceedings.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has instructed every State Bar Council across the country to prominently publish the Supreme Court’s recent interim order prohibiting the unauthorised recording, editing, sharing, and circulation of court proceedings on digital platforms. The move is aimed at ensuring that advocates, Bar Associations, and other stakeholders clearly understand the legal and ethical restrictions governing the use of courtroom audio and video content.
BCI Seeks Immediate Compliance
In a circular issued to the Chairpersons and Secretaries of all State Bar Councils, the BCI directed that the Supreme Court’s order dated July 24, 2026, along with the Council’s earlier circular on digital ethics and responsible social media conduct, must be displayed prominently on official websites. According to the BCI, the two documents should be read together because they establish both the legal restrictions and the professional obligations applicable to advocates.
Documents Must Be Clearly Visible
The BCI has instructed State Bar Councils to place the following documents together on the homepage of their official websites:
- The Supreme Court’s interim order restricting unauthorised circulation of court proceedings.
- The BCI’s circular on social media conduct and digital ethics.
- The implementation directions issued by the BCI.
These documents must appear under a clear and easily identifiable heading relating to the prohibition on unauthorised use of judicial proceeding recordings and advocates’ responsibilities while using digital platforms. The Council clarified that merely placing the documents in an archive or circular section would not satisfy the requirement.
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Directions Extended to Bar Associations
The BCI has also asked every State Bar Council to forward these directions to all recognised Bar Associations within their jurisdiction. Each Bar Association has been advised to:
- Publish the documents on its official website.
- Display them on notice boards.
- Circulate them among members through official communication channels.
The objective is to ensure that every practising advocate becomes aware of the new restrictions and ethical standards.
Background of the Supreme Court’s Order
The Supreme Court recently passed an interim order prohibiting any person from extracting, editing, uploading, reposting, monetising, or otherwise circulating audio or video recordings of court proceedings without prior permission from the concerned court. The Court expressed concern over the growing practice of selectively clipping courtroom proceedings, adding misleading captions or commentary, and spreading such material across social media platforms, which could distort judicial proceedings and undermine public confidence in the justice system.
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Live Streaming Is for Transparency, Not Entertainment
The BCI reiterated that live streaming of court proceedings was introduced to improve judicial transparency and promote legal awareness. However, it stressed that this facility should not be misused for creating sensational content, memes, edited clips, or monetised videos that compromise the dignity of courts or misrepresent judicial proceedings. Such conduct, according to the Council, is inconsistent with the ethical obligations of advocates and other participants in the justice system.
BCI Warns Against Mere Formal Compliance
The Council further clarified that simply uploading the documents online will not amount to full compliance. State Bar Councils have been directed to take reasonable steps to ensure that every enrolled advocate and every recognised Bar Association actually receives and becomes aware of the circulars and the Supreme Court’s directions. Individual circulation to advocates has also been emphasised as part of the implementation process.
Why the Directive Matters
The BCI’s latest direction seeks to strengthen professional accountability within the legal fraternity while reinforcing the Supreme Court’s efforts to preserve the dignity, integrity, and authenticity of judicial proceedings. By ensuring widespread awareness of the restrictions, the Council hopes to prevent misuse of courtroom recordings and encourage responsible use of digital and social media by advocates and legal professionals.