KATHMANDU: The goal of the government-introduced law is to improve the regulation and supervision of attorneys by amending the Nepal Bar Council Act 2050 BS. The bill, which was filed in the National Assembly on Friday by the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, makes several important reforms to guarantee the caliber and professional behavior of legal services in Nepal.
One major aspect of the bill is the establishment of a legal professionals' institution, the Lawyers Academy, under the Nepal Bar Council. It also sets new standards for legal education, requiring educational institutions to offer high-quality curricula. Additionally, the bill mandates that lawyers' fees be collected through banking channels and introduces stricter criteria for becoming a Senior Advocate, requiring 25 years of practice at the Supreme Court or Appellate Court level, up from the previous 15 years.
The proposed amendments also include structural changes to the Nepal Law Practitioners Council. The bill allows the Council to set up offices in provinces and adds a Secretary and three new advocates, including one woman, to its membership. The bill provides the Council with the authority to register and update law firms and maintain records of lawyers providing pro bono services.
Furthermore, the bill enhances the powers of the Disciplinary Committee, allowing it to issue warnings, suspend certificates, and recommend certificate cancellations. It also outlines specific actions that could lead to disciplinary measures, such as advertising for professional promotion, failing to maintain confidentiality, and making derogatory comments. The bill aims to impose stricter controls on lawyers to ensure ethical practices and high professional standards.
