UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 55
With reference to India, consider the following statements :
- Government law officers and legal firms are recognised as advocates, but corporate lawyers and patent attorneys are excluded from recognition as advocates.
- Bar Councils have the power to lay down the rules relating to legal education and recognition of law colleges.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B (2 only)
Explanation: The Advocates Act covers enrolled practising advocates regardless of job titles and empowers the Bar Council of India to set legal-education standards.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. False / does not qualify - The categorical exclusion is wrong: recognition as an advocate depends on enrolment/eligibility under the Advocates Act, not simply being a government, corporate or patent lawyer.
2. True / qualifies - The Bar Council of India lays down standards of legal education and recognises qualifying law universities/colleges.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-includes 1 even though The categorical exclusion is wrong: recognition as an advocate depends on enrolment/eligibility under the Advocates Act, not simply being a government, corporate or patent lawyer.; omits 2 even though The Bar Council of India lays down standards of legal education and recognises qualifying law universities/colleges.
B. Correct-selects exactly the correct statements/items identified above.
C. Incorrect-includes 1 even though The categorical exclusion is wrong: recognition as an advocate depends on enrolment/eligibility under the Advocates Act, not simply being a government, corporate or patent lawyer.
D. Incorrect-omits 2 even though The Bar Council of India lays down standards of legal education and recognises qualifying law universities/colleges.
Review note: Whether a particular employed in-house counsel can practise as an advocate depends on employment and enrolment rules; job title alone is not a universal legal exclusion.