Legal Influencers: A Few Grew and Misused Social Media Platforms

Legal influencers make reels and posts about different laws and rules which can be helpful, sometimes problematic. Why? Read to understand.
One big problem is that a few legal influencers share incorrect or incomplete information, break a few rules for fame and attention, which can confuse people and make them believe things that aren’t entirely true.

Let’s look at a few examples.

• During the pandemic, some influencers said people didn’t need to pay their full rent, but the truth depended on each person’s rental agreement.
• Some influencers gave wrong ideas about complicated topics like citizenship rules or privacy laws, which caused unnecessary panic.
• Others mixed up things, like confusing trademarks and patents, which are entirely different.

Many Indian law students started making social media content during the last few years as well. While this led to some extra income and fame, the truth is that only some of them are real experts; the others made errors just to get attention.

Why is this a problem?

If people follow incorrect advice, they might get into legal trouble, like businesses not registering correctly or people misunderstanding their rights. Along with numerous good deeds, social media makes it hard to stop this misinformation because platforms sometimes promote exciting but incorrect content over boring but accurate posts. Can’t the Bar Council of India (BCI) do anything? If yes, how can the BCI curb these malpractices? The jury is still out on this debate on social media and beyond.

The Bar Council of India and Legal Influencers: The Ethical Divide

The legal influencers on social media platforms sparked intense debates about ethics, accuracy and the role of the BCI in regulating this evolving content space. I agree that these influencers make the law more accessible; they can also draw a fine line between education and misinformation. But sometimes, they can inadvertently violate the BCI’s stringent rules.

Vandana Shah, a well-known divorce lawyer, called herself “India’s Top Divorce Lawyer” on Instagram, till she was advised to change this moniker. But not everyone is clapping for these flashy titles. If we look at the law, it says, “The law isn’t a talent show. Lawyers shouldn’t be crowning themselves with such titles.” The Bar Council of India (BCI) also does not appreciate such self-promotion. Rule 36 of the BCI bans advocates from advertising themselves directly or indirectly.

Law is supposed to be a noble and dignified profession, but claiming to be the “best” or “top” in bios and posts reduces its respect and turns it into cheap competition. It’s like turning the courtroom into a marketplace. Bombay High Court Advocate and Counsel Siddharth Chandrasekhar pointed out that these titles mislead people, making them think these lawyers are officially recognised as the best. This not only confuses clients but also disrupts the professional atmosphere among lawyers.

Legal Influencers are both in Power and Danger

Do you agree that social media has turned the world upside down when it comes to sharing information/knowledge?

Even something as complicated as law, once seen as a tough subject for experts, has become an everyday topic on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. You can find reels and posts about legal rights, solutions, and advice everywhere you look. Legal influencers are often dressed in those black gowns meant for courtrooms and use their outfits to look extra legit. It’s like a magician putting on a top hat to sell the act; only here can the tricks confuse people.

Influencers’ charm lies in how they take challenging legal ideas and explain them in simple, bite-sized bits. It’s great when done right, but oversimplifying or giving half-baked advice is like serving raw food; it can only harm rather than good.

Some of these influencers aren’t even real lawyers. Take Umar Ali, a law student in his final year. He’s busy on Instagram, offering “legal advice” and even asking people to WhatsApp him for consultations. There is no BCI license or real authority, but plenty of followers think he’s the real deal. If that doesn’t raise eyebrows, what will?

This niche is like asking a cricket fan to coach the Indian team. Sure, they know the game, but does that make them Dhoni? Nope.

Violations of BCI Rules

The Bar Council of India (BCI) is the apex body of all lawyers in India, and it clearly says that only licensed advocates can give legal advice. If someone without a license starts offering guidance, it’s not just risky, it can mislead people, shake their faith in the legal system, and cross the line into illegal territory.

This is like playing doctor without a degree. It goes against everything the BCI stands for: rules that keep legal practice respectful and professional. It is not just about legal influencers; we all need to be careful whom we follow and what type of advice we are looking for. We need to get general knowledge and learn new things about law, but we had better pay our lawyer fees for real-world issues.

What should be done instead? Disclaimers?

Disclaimers are like a “Handle with Care” tag on fragile items. They help us all understand the difference between sharing knowledge and giving actual legal advice. While the law doesn’t force influencers to use them, disclaimers will save them from big trouble and help the audience know what’s what.

Many professional advocates believe disclaimers are mandatory for anyone sharing legal content. It’s the least they can do to stay ethical. Legal influencers can simply mention that they’re not licensed lawyers and their content is only for information. It’s not rocket science, just an honest way to avoid confusion and keep things clear.

Balance the Freedom of Expression

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has a tough job ahead. It needs to balance its old-school rules with the fast-changing world of social media. To stop the spread of fake or wrong legal advice, the BCI could develop clearer rules for online behaviour, make disclaimers mandatory and crack down on rule-breakers. Partnering with social media platforms to check legal content could also help build trust among people.

Legal influencers are passionate, and that’s great news for all of us, but they need to play by the rules. Social media can be a powerful tool to make law easy to understand, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of affecting lives. If the BCI tackles these problems wisely, it can turn social media into a way to connect people to the law instead of creating confusion or mistrust.

Heated up? Relax! Trivia for Fun!

Not all Legal Influencers are lawyers,
Not every lawyer is still a lawyer.

Also Read Influencers or Misinformers? The Truth Behind Viral Content Here!