AIBE 19 COP Certificate (Soon): Download Bar Council of India Certificate PDF

What is a Certificate of Practice (CoP)?

The CoP stands for “Certificate of Practice”, which is a mandatory document required to practise law in India. The AIBE CoP is awarded to successful law graduates who clear the bar exam and allows them to represent clients in a court of law. Without CoP, a legal professional cannot take up cases for clients in a court of law. The AIBE 19 CoP will include details such as the name of the candidate, enrollment number, enrollment date and other details.

Every law graduate must obtain the AIBE CoP, which is mandatory to practice law in courts in India. The Bar Council of India conducts the All India Bar Examination, which is a national-level exam conducted to check the capability of the lawyer who wishes to practice law in India. The All India Bar Examination is conducted in 11 different languages by the BCI, candidates will have to select one language as per their preference.

Eligibility criteria to obtain Certificate of Practice?

Candidates must clear the bar exam to be eligible to obtain the AIBE CoP. The passing marks in AIBE 19 are determined according to the cutoff. General and OBC category candidates must obtain 45% marks in AIBE, and SC/ ST category candidates must secure 40% marks. The AIBE passing marks may change according to the questions withdrawn in the final answer key of the exam, but the cutoff percentage will remain the same.

Who can apply for AIBE CoP?

• A law graduate who qualifies the AIBE exam can apply for AIBE CoP.
• Candidates must have completed a 3-year or 5-year LLB degree from a BCI recognised university.
• Must be enrolled with the relevant State Bar Council.
• Law graduates can apply for AIBE CoP whose names appear on the list of State Bar Councils.

How can a law graduate get a Certificate of Practice?

The law graduate can get the Certificate of Practice (CoP) through the following steps:

• Candidates will have to apply online for the AIBE exam.
• Appear for the AIBE exam.
• Score more than the AIBE cut off to clear the bar exam.
• The AIBE CoP download will be available from the Bar Council of India website.
• Later, candidates will be notified by registered post that their name is enrolled in BCI. They can then visit their respective State Bar Council to obtain the Certificate of Practice (CoP).

What is the outcome of not having a Certificate of Practice?

• If a law graduate doesn't have a Certificate of Practice, they will be considered non-practising.
• They will not appear in any court of law or hearing for any legal purpose.
• Not be considered as a member of the bar association.
• Cannot participate and receive benefits under the welfare schemes of lawyers.
• They cannot cast their votes in any elections of the bar associations.

Eligibility Criteria to get AIBE Certificate of Practice?

Here are the detailed criteria to get AIBE CoP by the Bar Council of India:

• Candidates must be citizen of India.
• Candidates must have completed either a five-year integrated LLB program or a three-year LLB programme.
• The law degree must be from an Indian institute recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI).
• Candidates are no longer required to be enrolled with the State Bar Council in India and have an enrollment certificate to register for the exam.

How to Enroll with the State Bar Council?

If a candidate wants to practise as an advocate in India after obtaining the AIBE CoP, they will have to enrol with the State Bar Council. First, candidates have to buy the form from the respective State Bar Council and pay the form fees with the receipt of paid fees. The process to enrol with the State Bar Council is mentioned below:

• Visit the respective State Bar Council to get the enrollment form.
• Click on the "Sign Up" or "New Registration" option on the State Bar Council's website.
• Complete the registration by entering details such as name, mobile number, email address etc
• Candidates will be sent their login credentials to their registered email address or number.
• Then, candidates will be required to log in and enter more details like their personal, academic, communication, employment and other information.
• Upload certain documents like their academic records, photographs and signature in a specified format.
• Pay the registration and enrollment fee. Students need to pay the required fee in their preferred mode of payment.
• Click on the "submit" button and take a copy of the acknowledgement.
• Report to the State Bar Council in proper dress with all the documents for verification.
• Candidates are also required to appear before the enrollment committee for the enrollment ceremony.

Enrolling in the State Bar Council: Documents required

• Law graduation passing certificate
• LLB examination mark sheets for all semesters
• Passport-size photograph with lawyer dress code
• If there is any gap in regular education, some undertakings should be given to candidates
• Demand drafts one for the State Bar Council and the other for the BCI