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What are the rules governing an advocate''s conduct in court?

The Bar Council of India Rules prescribe how an advocate should conduct himself in court. These can be breifly summarised as follows: Dignified conduct: An advocate should maintain a respectful attitude towards the court and should conduct himself with dignity and decorum. However, it is not necessary for the advocate to be servile and when there is a proper ground for serious complaint against a judicial officer, the advocate has the right and duty to submit his grievance to a proper authority. Adhere to the dress code: An advocate should adhere to the proper, specified dress code. Not be a mere moutpeice of clients: An advocate should not be a mere mouthpiece of his client and must disregard the most specific instructions of his client, if they conflict with his duty to the court. An advoctae owes allegiance to a higher cause- that of truth and justice. He must not consciously mis-state the facts or knowingly conceal the truth. An advocate must edevour t ensure that his client discloses, if ordered, the relevant documents, even those that are fatal to his case.

Not commit contempt of court: The advocate should not commit contempt of court by making scandalous allegations against the judges or the court, nor should he ask irrelevant questions designed to bring down the dignity of the court. The advocate should not use intemperate language during arguments in courts. The court can suspend an advocate's licence to practise in case he commits contempt of court, in addition to imposing other punishment. Not influence court by illegal means: Any private communication between an advocate and a judge relating to a pending case is forbidden. The advocate should not use illegal or improper means to influence a decision of the court and if he tries to bribe a judge he is guilty of the grossest miscondut. Not appear before a relative: An advocate must not enter appearance, act or plead or practise in any way before a court, tribunal or authority, if the sole or any member is related to the advocate. "Relative" for this purpose means father, grandfather, son, grandson, uncle, brother, nephew, first cousin, husband, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, brother-inlaw, daughter-in-law or sister-in-law.

Not stand as surety for client: An advocate must also not stand as a surety or certify the soundness of a surety for his client, when the surety is required for the purpose of any legal proceeding.

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