Vakilpedia Blog · Updated 4 October 2026
Advocate Visiting Card Rules (BCI Rule 36): What You Can Print
Advocates in India may not advertise or solicit work. That is Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules. But a visiting card, a sign-board and — since 2008 — a website with specified details are allowed. The line is between giving information and asking for work.
What Rule 36 prohibits
- Soliciting work or advertising, directly or indirectly — circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications or interviews not warranted by personal relations.
- Newspaper comments or photographs about cases you have handled.
- Sign-boards or name-plates of an inappropriate size, or stating that you are or were a judge or Advocate-General.
What you can put on a card or website
The 2008 amendment to Rule 36 (BCI resolution of 30 April 2008) permits advocates to furnish on a website the information set out in its Schedule:
- Name
- Address, telephone numbers and email
- Enrolment number, date of enrolment and State Bar Council
- Bar association membership
- Professional and academic qualifications
- Areas of practice
What to leave out
- Claims of success (“won 500 cases”), client testimonials or ratings.
- Fees, discounts or “free consultation” offers presented as inducements.
- Comparisons with other advocates, or titles like “best lawyer”.
A digital card that stays within the rule
VakilCard is a free digital visiting card: one link with your chamber address, phone, practice areas, enrolment number and a UPI QR for fees, which you can update without reprinting. Share it with people who already asked for your details — that is information, not solicitation.
Frequently asked questions
Can advocates have a website in India?
Yes, limited to the information permitted under the 2008 proviso to Rule 36: name, contact details, enrolment details, bar association membership, qualifications and areas of practice.
Can I put my practice areas on my visiting card?
The 2008 proviso to Rule 36 permits areas of practice on a website, and most advocates apply the same list to their cards. Keep it factual (“civil, criminal, taxation”) and avoid words like “specialist” or “expert”.
Is a digital visiting card advertising?
Not by itself. Sharing your permitted details with someone who asks is information. Pushing it to strangers to get work can be solicitation.
This article explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice for any particular case. Section numbers and text are taken from the bare acts; check the current text before you file.
Tools for this
Vakilpedia tool
CaseLinx
A digital case diary for advocates: every next hearing date, client and document in one place, with reminders.
Try CaseLinx →Vakilpedia tool
SignLinx
Send a PDF for e-signature on WhatsApp or a link. Signers need no account; you get a certificate, audit trail and blockchain timestamp. One free document a day.
Send a PDF to sign →Vakilpedia tool
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