The General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI) has submitted a detailed representation to the Bar Council of India (BCI) seeking recognition of General Counsels and in-house legal professionals as legal practitioners under the proposed Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Association has urged the BCI to expand the definition of “legal practitioner” to expressly include advocates and law graduates employed in the private, public and joint sectors performing legal advisory, regulatory, transactional, compliance, arbitration, governance and other professional legal functions.

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GCAI contends that modern legal practice extends far beyond courtroom advocacy and that excluding in-house lawyers from formal professional recognition creates an artificial distinction between advocates performing similar legal functions in law firms and corporate legal departments. It has also sought consequential amendments to Section 29 of the Advocates Act and Rule 49 of the Bar Council of India Rules to ensure that full-time salaried employment in a bona fide legal capacity does not result in cessation of professional status.

Describing the ongoing legislative exercise as a historic opportunity to modernise India’s legal profession, GCAI has recommended a registration framework for in-house advocates, continued professional development, ethical oversight and disciplinary accountability. It has argued that recognising in-house practice would strengthen corporate governance, expand employment opportunities for young advocates, and align the legal profession with the objectives of Viksit Bharat 2047.