AIBE COP Certificate: Rules, How to Apply, Benefits, Who Gets Certificate of Practice

What is a Certificate of Practice (CoP)

AIBE Certificate of Practice (CoP) is awarded to advocates who successfully clear the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). The Certificate of Practice mentions important details such as the name of the candidate, enrollment number, enrollment date and other related information. The AIBE CoP is a document every advocate must obtain in order to practice law in the courts in India. The authority to conduct the AIBE exam is with the Bar Council of India (BCI). AIBE is a national-level exam that is conducted to check the capability of lawyers wanting to practise law in India. The AIBE exam is conducted in 11 languages, and the appearing candidate needs to select only one language as per their preference.

BCI Notification for AIBE Online CoP

The Bar Council of India will also issue the AIBE 20 CoP download on the official website. The AIBE 20 CoP certificate download pdf link will be available on the AIBESCOPE app on Android and iOS phones. Through this app, candidates will only be able to view the details. If candidates happen to find any mismatch in their name, father's name, or enrolment number, there will be an option to edit the details. The deadline for the correction of COP AIBE 20 will also be notified. After the deadline date, candidates cannot make any changes or corrections to their details. The online AIBE 20 CoP is non-printable and non-downloadable.

Purpose of AIBE Certificate of Practice for Advocates

The primary purpose of issuing a certificate of practice to advocates is to:

• Ensure that non-practising advocates or advocates shifting to another profession or business are shifted to the list of non-practising advocates.

• Have direct communication and contact with the practising advocates.

• Ensure that all candidates who have enrolled after 2010 appear in the All India Bar Examination (AIBE).

• Ensuring that all the benefits offered to the advocates are enjoyed by only practising advocates.

Who can apply for a Certificate of Practice?

The certificate of practice rules apply to advocates whose names appear on the list of the State Bar Councils. The following persons are excluded from the rules:

1. Law graduates who had enrolled but whose name has been transferred to the list of non-practising.

2. Advocates on record (Supreme Court practising advocates).

3. Senior lawyers.

AIBE Rules for Certificate of Practice

• No candidate shall be allowed to practice without passing the All India Bar Examination conducted by the BCI.
• The Bar Council of India will determine the manner and format of the AIBE exam.
• A candidate unsuccessful in the AIBE can reappear for the exam as many times as they want.
• The CoP shall be issued by the BCI under the signature of the Chairman, Bar Council of India.

Benefits of AIBE Exam

The Bar Council of India (BCI) conducts the AIBE examination to check the analytical and logical skills of the candidates, along with some understanding of the law. Some of the benefits of the All India Bar Examination are:

• The AIBE exam evaluates the candidate’s knowledge and skills that are required for admission to the practice of law.

• This exam also checks the logical abilities and knowledge of the law of the candidate.

• The applicant, after clearing the exam successfully, gets the ‘Certificate of Practice’ from the Bar Council of India.

• Applicants can appear for the bar exam in their location as it is conducted in 40 cities in India.

• The candidates can select the language they are comfortable with, as it is conducted in 11 languages.

• BCI also allows candidates to take bare acts, which is a big help for candidates.

• The BCI has prescribed no age limit to clear the exam.

• There is no limit on the number of attempts. If the candidate fails to clear the AIBE exam, they can appear for the exam till the time they clear it.

How can advocates get a Certificate of Practice?

Candidates to get an AIBE cop must follow the steps below:

1. Apply online for the AIBE examination (process explained below).

2. Appear for the AIBE examination.

3. Score more than the cut-off scores for the AIBE exam.

4. The Bar Council of India Certificate of Practice download will be available from the Bar Council of India website.

5. The candidates will be informed by registered post stating that their name is enrolled in Bar Council of India. They can then visit their respective State Bar Council to receive the Certificate of Practice (CoP).

Consequences of not having Certificate of Practice

An advocate with no certificate of practice shall be considered a non-practicing advocate :

• Not appear in any court of law or tribunal or hearing for any legal purpose.

• Not be a member of the bar association.

• Cannot cast their votes in any elections of the bar associations.

• Cannot participate and receive benefits under the welfare schemes of advocates.

Applying for the AIBE Exam

To complete AIBE registration candidates must adhere to the following norms:

• Candidates must have a qualified bachelor's degree in law either BA LLB or LLB programme. Final year law graduates without any backlogs are also eligible to apply as per the revised AIBE eligibility criteria prescribed from AIBE 19 onwards.

• 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.

• The law degree must be from an Indian institute recognised by the Bar Council of India (BCI).

• Candidates must be an Indian citizen.

How to Enroll with the State Bar Council?

Candidates will be required to enroll with the State Bar Council if they want to practise as advocates in India after obtaining the AIBE Certificate of Practice. One must first purchase the form from the respective State Bar Council for the Bar Council of India certificate download and then pay the form fees with the receipt of paid fees. The procedure to enrol with the State Bar Council is:

Steps to obtain State Bar Council Enrollment

• Log on to the official website of your respective bar council. The official links of different state bar councils will also be given below in this article. Students need to click on "Sign Up"or "New Registration" option on the State Bar Council's website.
• Next, complete the basic registration by entering details like name, mobile number, email address, etc. Students will be sent their login credentials to their registered email address or number.
• Candidates will then be required to log in and enter more details like their personal, academic, communication, employment and other information.
• One will also be required to upload certain documents like their academic records, photograph, signature etc in the specified format.
• The final step of AIBE State Bar Council enrollment is the payment of 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.
• Next, 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.

Documents required for enrolling in the State Bar Council are:

1. Law Graduation Passing Certificate

2. Law examination mark sheets for all semesters

3. If there is any gap in the regular education some undertakings should be given to candidates.

4. Passport-size photographs advocate dress code.

5. Demand drafts one for the State Bar Council and the other for the BCI.

Some of the requirements vary from state to state - some states ask for self-attested documents for candidates whereas some accept documents without self-attestation.

List of State Bar Councils in India

State Bar Council Enrolment Fees

State Bar Council Enrollment - Key Points

• Candidates are not longer required to be enrolled with their respective state bar councils in order to be appear for the AIBE exam.
• Most of the state bar councils in India conduct online enrollment. However, some councils still use the online enrollment procedure.
• Candidates must have completed their 3-year of 5-year LLB to enroll in their respective state bar council.
• The Advocate Act of 1931 gives state bar council right to create their own rules for enrollment.
• Candidates must upload their state bar council enrollment certificate to be eligible to receive CoP.