Not too late, but better to do it sooner. I'm a 2016 grad and I enrolled in 2020 (corp slave life caused me to keep postponing) there's no bar. It might cause problems if you're in litigation and not registered. You also have to write AIBE within 2 years of getting state bar reg (at least that's what Delhi Bar Council requires).
The parent comment clearly indicated that they are/were at a corporate firm where they didn't need to sign vakalatnamas nor appear. The context of the question is obviously "what would I lose if I don't enrol myself and continue to work at a firm, and get myself registered whenever I switch to litigation".
Which I have already answered in another comment - eligibility for appointments.
3.1 reads "... problem a litigator might face ... ". Now don't act like Hansa and ask for the meaning of 'litigator'. Btw, it doesn't mean an alligator who eats litti chokha.
Also relevant: late registration can cause troubles in positions/appointments where they want you to be practicing as an advocate for x amount of years. For instance, in panel enrolments or higher judicial services. Your time starts from when you get enrolled, not when you graduate.
There is also fraud. If you are practising law without a license and telling everyone you're a lawyer. Even if you make Rs.1. You could go down for cheating. Enrol ASAP.
Yes and you also do know that only Advocates have the exclusive right to practice law and provide legal services right? That's why foreign lawyers are not able to practice in India. In House is a function not practice. Firm is practice through and through. If you work as a law firm by definition you represent to people that you've been admitted to practice law.
1. Not being able to file vakalatnama and make appearances. That shouldn't be a big problem if you're in a corporate firm. But it does come handy when you want to go to court, or a file an application for a friend/family/yourself.
2. Not being able to sign and issue legal opinions. Again, not a problem till you're a partner in a corporate firm.
3. Applying outside law firms/in-house roles. Since there are enough lawyers to sign on your behalf in a law firm, it's not a problem. But if you're the only/few lawyers working in-house at a company, they'd better expect you to be an actually registered lawyer.
4. GST problems for the firm - the firm requires your enrollment number for certain GST deductions and filings while paying your retainer. But again, if your firm isn't bothering you, then not a problem again.
5. Years of experience required for many legal posts (say senior advocate, judge, government counsels etc.) is usually calculated on years after enrollment. That might be a problem if you're interested in these posts later in your career.
Point 3 is sort of incorrect, most in-house jobs are as employees, that actually means even if you are registered as an advocate you have to suspend it. In practice, not many do but that is the requirement.
R - why are some comments here pending moderation for over 23 hours while some 2 hour old comments have been published? Ya toh publish karo, ya reject karo.
Is bar council registration mandatory for working in Corporate teams in law firms? Asking because state bar council registrations are also quite expensive
I hope the profession is treating you well.
Could you please elaborate on the problems a litigator might face (apart from the obvious massive one that one can't make appearances, sign vakalat)
The context of the question is obviously "what would I lose if I don't enrol myself and continue to work at a firm, and get myself registered whenever I switch to litigation".
Which I have already answered in another comment - eligibility for appointments.
Agar 3.1 ki query padhni hi hai, it clearly says "apart from the obvious massive one that one can't make appearances, sign vakalat(nama)".
If your answer to "apart from X" is "X", you're not answering the query.
Regardless, you're being unnecessarily rude. I hope everything is alright.
Now don't act like Hansa and ask for the meaning of 'litigator'. Btw, it doesn't mean an alligator who eats litti chokha.
So the sooner, the better.
1. Not being able to file vakalatnama and make appearances. That shouldn't be a big problem if you're in a corporate firm. But it does come handy when you want to go to court, or a file an application for a friend/family/yourself.
2. Not being able to sign and issue legal opinions. Again, not a problem till you're a partner in a corporate firm.
3. Applying outside law firms/in-house roles. Since there are enough lawyers to sign on your behalf in a law firm, it's not a problem. But if you're the only/few lawyers working in-house at a company, they'd better expect you to be an actually registered lawyer.
4. GST problems for the firm - the firm requires your enrollment number for certain GST deductions and filings while paying your retainer. But again, if your firm isn't bothering you, then not a problem again.
5. Years of experience required for many legal posts (say senior advocate, judge, government counsels etc.) is usually calculated on years after enrollment. That might be a problem if you're interested in these posts later in your career.
- R