bar-council-of-india-warns-public-against-fake-notice-on-fees

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a strong warning against the circulation of a fraudulent document falsely claiming to introduce a mandatory minimum fee structure for advocates.

 

The document, titled “Official Notification- Mandatory Minimum Fee Structure for Advocates in India,” is dated February 15, 2025, and claims that the new fee structure will come into effect from March 1, 2025.

 

In an official statement, the BCI clarified that the document is entirely fake and has not been issued by the Council. It described the fraudulent notice as an attempt to mislead both the legal fraternity and the general public by falsely attributing it to the BCI.

 

The Council condemned the act as a deliberate attempt at forgery and misinformation.

 

The BCI pointed out that the fake document lacks the necessary official signatures, reference numbers, or procedural authorisation that accompany legitimate notifications.

 

The mention of “No Signature Required” within the document was highlighted as a clear tactic to evade verification and authentication. Such deceptive methods are often used in the creation of false documents to mislead people into believing they are genuine.

 

Additionally, the fraudulent notice misuses the name and address of the Bar Council of India, further strengthening the illusion of authenticity. The document’s claims regarding a mandatory minimum fee for advocates were described as a deliberate effort to create confusion and spread misinformation.

 

The BCI has emphasised that such forgeries not only damage the reputation of the Council but also mislead members of the legal profession and the public. The creation and circulation of such false documents constitute a serious offence under the law.

 

The Council warned that strict legal action will be taken against those responsible for spreading misinformation and causing unnecessary panic.

 

The Bar Council of India has assured advocates and the public that immediate steps are being taken to identify and prosecute those behind this forgery. It urged people to rely only on official sources for information and to refrain from spreading unverified claims.

 

The Council reiterated that any official announcements will be made through proper channels and authenticated by the appropriate authorities.