upreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna on Saturday called upon Bar Councils across the country to introspect on their role in maintaining professional ethics, morality and competence within the legal profession.

Addressing the 13th convocation of National Law University, Delhi on August 29, Justice Nagarathna said Bar Councils, both at the Central and State levels, have an important responsibility towards maintaining the standards of the profession.

“The Bar Councils, whether the Central or the States, must introspect on their role and importance in upholding professional ethics, morality and professional competence. When a Bar Council does not earn the respect of its members, it is not a good sign for the legal profession,” she said.

The convocation was attended by Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, who is also the Chancellor of NLU Delhi, along with judges of the Delhi High Court and Vice-Chancellor Prof GS Bajpai.

Justice Nagarathna's remarks come weeks after a controversy involving Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. Mishra had directed State Bar Councils not to enrol the graduating 2026 batch of NALSAR, Hyderabad as advocates after students reportedly objected to the invitation extended to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for their convocation.

‘Bar Must Speak in One Voice’

Justice Nagarathna also stressed the need for the legal fraternity to come together and address some of the pressing challenges facing India's justice delivery system.

The Bar, she said, “must rise and speak in a singular voice” on ways to strengthen the justice delivery system, particularly in the face of mounting case pendency, delays, increasing litigation costs and uncertainty.

Speaking about the independence of the Bar, the Supreme Court judge said such independence should not be viewed as a privilege granted to lawyers for their personal benefit.

“The independence of the Bar is not an entitlement given to lawyers for their own benefit. It exists because a constitutional democracy requires a body of professionals who can advise, argue, challenge and represent without having to ask the permission of the State, the market, or even their own clients before doing so.”

She further warned that mistakes and lapses within the legal profession can have far-reaching consequences for India's political and civic life.

Justice Nagarathna urged lawyers to change their mindset and approach their profession as a form of public service, stressing that they must remain committed to working for their clients to ensure that the Bar does not lose its relevance in the years ahead.

‘A Profession Is an Office of Trust’

Reflecting on the nature of the legal profession, Justice Nagarathna said that law cannot be treated merely as a commercial occupation.

“A profession is not an occupation or a trade but an office of trust,” she observed, adding that a lawyer “cannot be reduced to a person who sells legal knowledge by the hour.”

Concluding her address, Justice Nagarathna reminded the graduating students of the larger constitutional responsibility that comes with entering the legal profession.

She described the young graduates as “Officers of the Court and Stewards of the Constitution.”