Punjab Bar Council 5.15

The Punjab Bar Council is a deliberative assembly of lawyers in Punjab. It is established by Parliament of Pakistan and consists of 75 members elected from different constituencies of Punjab. Its main functions are to promote and suggest law reforms, to safeguard the rights, interests and privileges of practicing lawyers while regulating their conduct, to recognize or derecognize Bar associations and to help in the administration of justice. Punjab Bar Council also sends one of its Member to Judicial Commission of Pakistan, who gives advice and vote for the appointment of Lahore High Court Judges. The council is largest Provincial Bar Council in Pakistan with more than 100,000 advocates as its License holders. All Bar associations of Punjab including Tehsil Bar Associations, District Bar Associations and High Court Bar Associations work under the Jurisdiction of Punjab Bar Council. Currently more than 124 Bar associations are working under Punjab Bar Council. The lawyers recognized by the Council can only represent clients in the all Branches of Lahore High Court, District Courts and Session Courts in Punjab, Pakistan. The Punjab Bar Council is based in Lahore, Pakistan, came into being as a result of the promulgation of the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973 (Act XXXV of 1973). The Council commenced functioning with effect from 1 January 1974.CompositionThe Punjab Bar Council consists of 75 Members of Punjab Bar Council elected by the advocates from different constituencies across the Punjab Province, These Members serve a term of five years and further elect Chairman Executive Committee and Vice-Chairman of Council each Year. The Advocate General of the Punjab, acts as ex officio Chairman but being non-elected does not exercise the power as do the elected positions in the council. Power of Advocate General of Punjab is only limited to his role as returning officer of elections and in publishing the gazette.