Advocates Can't be Held Liable For Deficiency In Service: Supreme Court

The court noted that the legal profession is unique in nature and cannot be compared with any other occupation.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the complaint alleging "deficiency in service" against advocates would not be maintainable under the Consumer Protection Act (CP Act) as it noted that the legal profession is unique in nature and cannot be compared with any other occupation.

A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal said this while setting aside the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission decision.

"Thus, a considerable amount of direct control is exercised by the Client over the manner in which an Advocate renders his services during the course of his employment," the court said.