Jharkhand HC Advocates Association warns lawyers against 'reel-making', cites dignity of profession
Synopsis
The Jharkhand High Court Advocates' Association has cracked down on lawyers filming reels with film music at the High Court premises, ordering immediate deletion of such content and warning of Bar Council disciplinary action. The move highlights a growing friction between social media culture and the traditional decorum of the legal profession.
Key Takeaways
The Jharkhand High Court Advocates' Association has warned members against creating and uploading social media reels at High Court premises in Ranchi .
Multiple complaints were received about lawyers filming reels set to popular film music, posing in staged courtroom arguments, and publicising their fee structures online.
Strict guidelines have been issued prohibiting reels, staged courtroom content, and social media self-promotion for client solicitation.
Members have been directed to delete all such content from social media with immediate effect .
Non-compliance could lead to disciplinary action initiated through the Jharkhand State Bar Council .
The Jharkhand High Court Advocates' Association in Ranchi has issued a stern warning to members of the legal fraternity against filming and uploading social media reels on the premises of the Jharkhand High Court, cautioning that such conduct risks projecting court proceedings and judicial processes in a poor light. The directive, backed by multiple complaints received by the Bar Association, targets a growing trend of younger lawyers using the court as a backdrop for entertainment-style content.
What Triggered the Warning
According to the Association, it recently came to light that several younger, social media-savvy lawyers had been filming reels set to popular film music against the backdrop of the High Court premises — an institution the body described as a 'temple of justice.' Complaints were also received about lawyers posing as if engaged in courtroom arguments, as well as publicly disclosing their legal fee structures to attract clients online.
What the Association Said
'The legal profession is not a commercial venture or platform for entertainment; rather, it is a highly sacred and dignified vocation dedicated to securing justice for society. Such behaviour not only undermines the sanctity of the judiciary but also tarnishes the serious image of the court in the eyes of clients,' the Association said in an official statement.
Guidelines Issued
The Association has issued strict guidelines prohibiting the creation of reels, the posting of staged courtroom arguments on social media, and the use of social media for self-promotion aimed at attracting clients. Members have been directed to delete all such videos and promotional content from their social media accounts with immediate effect.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
Lawyers who disregard the directive face the prospect of disciplinary action, the Association warned. The body clarified that action could be initiated directly through the Jharkhand State Bar Council. The Association characterised these social media practices as contrary to professional conduct and said the trend could prove detrimental to the dignity of the profession overall.
The directive reflects a broader tension within the legal establishment as a younger generation of practitioners increasingly turns to social media for visibility — a practice the Association argues conflicts with the solemnity expected of an officer of the court.
Point of View
The directive also raises questions about where professional conduct ends and legitimate self-expression begins — a tension that bar associations across India will increasingly face. Notably, the complaint is not about legal misconduct but image management, which suggests the profession's deeper anxiety is about public perception rather than ethics. Without a clear definition of what constitutes 'promotional' content, enforcement risks becoming selective.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Jharkhand High Court Advocates' Association warned lawyers?
The Association issued the warning after receiving multiple complaints about lawyers filming reels set to film music at the High Court premises, staging fake courtroom arguments for social media, and publicly disclosing fee structures to attract clients. It said such behaviour undermines the dignity of the legal profession.
What specific actions have been prohibited?
The Association has prohibited the creation of reels at the High Court, posting staged courtroom argument videos on social media, and using social media for self-promotion to solicit clients. Members have also been asked to delete any existing such content immediately.
What action can be taken against lawyers who do not comply?
Lawyers who ignore the directive face a recommendation for disciplinary action, which can be initiated directly through the Jharkhand State Bar Council.
Who is primarily responsible for this trend, according to the Association?
The Association noted that younger, social media-savvy lawyers have been primarily responsible for the trend, filming and uploading reels at the High Court premises against the backdrop of the institution it described as a 'temple of justice.'
What is the Association's broader stance on social media use by lawyers?
The Association has condemned social media self-promotion as contrary to professional conduct, stating that the legal profession is 'not a commercial venture or platform for entertainment' but a dignified vocation dedicated to securing justice for society.
