1. About These Rules

Advocate Council of India (ACI) has established these Governance, Rules and Regulations to promote transparency, accountability, ethical conduct and responsible administration across its institutional activities.

These Rules provide a common framework for governance, operations, membership, academic programmes, professional development, digital services, collaborations and public-benefit initiatives of ACI.

They shall be read consistently with the registered Trust Deed and applicable laws.

2. Institutional Identity and Objectives

Advocate Council of India is an independent public charitable trust working towards the advancement of legal education, practical advocacy training, legal literacy, research, mentorship, professional development and access to justice.

Through India’s Digital National Legal Academy, ACI seeks to develop an integrated digital ecosystem connecting learners, legal professionals, educators, researchers, institutions and members of the public through educational programmes, knowledge resources, professional development initiatives and public-awareness activities.

ACI may undertake courses, workshops, seminars, publications, research projects, mentorship programmes, internships, institutional collaborations and other lawful activities consistent with its objects.

3. Governance and Administration

ACI shall function under the authority of its Board of Trustees in accordance with the registered Trust Deed and applicable law.

The Board shall oversee institutional strategy, administration, financial accountability, policy implementation and the proper application of Trust resources.

The Board may establish committees, departments, programmes and administrative positions to support academic activities, finance, compliance, research, technology, membership and public-benefit initiatives.

Institutional responsibilities and financial powers shall be exercised only within the authority duly assigned to the relevant person or body.

4. Financial Integrity and Accountability

All institutional receipts, fees, donations, grants, sponsorships and other income shall be appropriately recorded and administered through authorised financial channels.

ACI shall maintain proper accounts, supporting documents and financial records and arrange for audit as required by the Trust Deed and applicable law.

Trust funds and assets shall be used for authorised institutional purposes. No person shall divert Trust funds or assets for unauthorised personal benefit.

Revenue generated through lawful institutional activities shall be accounted for appropriately and applied consistently with the Trust’s objects and applicable legal and tax requirements.

5. Membership Rules

ACI may offer student, professional, corporate or institutional, honorary and other approved membership categories.

Eligibility criteria, membership fees, duration, benefits, renewal conditions and applicable restrictions shall be communicated through the relevant membership terms.

Members shall provide accurate information, comply with applicable policies and use ACI’s resources responsibly.

Membership does not guarantee employment, clients, cases, income, professional advancement or any particular outcome. Membership does not, by itself, confer ownership of the Trust or governance rights.

ACI may suspend or cancel membership for fraud, material misrepresentation, serious misconduct, misuse of institutional resources or other material violations, subject to applicable procedures and law.

6. Academy, Courses and Certificates

ACI may conduct online and offline courses, practical training, workshops, seminars, webinars, research activities and other educational programmes.

Programme descriptions shall specify relevant details, including eligibility, fees, learning objectives, duration and completion requirements, as applicable.

Learners shall comply with academic-integrity requirements and refrain from plagiarism, impersonation, cheating, unauthorised distribution of course materials and other forms of academic misconduct.

Certificates shall be issued according to the published requirements of the relevant programme. Unless expressly recognised by an authorised body under applicable law, an ACI certificate represents completion of an ACI programme and does not confer a statutory licence, degree or professional qualification.

7. Code of Conduct and Ethics

All trustees, office-bearers, employees, members, faculty, affiliates, volunteers, learners and programme participants are expected to:

• Act honestly and
• Treat others with dignity and
• Provide accurate information and
• Avoid harassment, discrimination, fraud, intimidation and deceptive
• Respect confidentiality, privacy and intellectual-property
• Disclose relevant conflicts of
• Use the ACI name, logo, resources and digital systems only with proper
• Comply with applicable laws, professional obligations and institutional

Misuse of institutional authority, falsification of records, unauthorised financial activity and deliberate misrepresentation may result in appropriate disciplinary action.

• Faculty, Affiliates and Collaborators

Faculty members, instructors, researchers, affiliates, vendors and institutional partners shall operate under the applicable written terms, agreements and policies.

Course contributions, intellectual-property rights, payments, revenue-sharing arrangements, affiliate commissions and other commercial terms shall be documented appropriately.

Affiliate activities must be truthful, transparent and limited to authorised programmes and offerings. No affiliate or collaborator may make unauthorised promises on behalf of ACI or misrepresent its recognition, authority or services.

No ACI programme shall be used to facilitate unlawful payments, the sale of legal-client leads or impermissible sharing of advocates’ professional fees.

9. Legal Literacy and Access to Justice

ACI may undertake legal-literacy campaigns, public-awareness programmes, legal-resource initiatives and other lawful activities supporting access to justice.

Information and assistance shall be provided within the scope of the relevant programme, available resources and applicable law.

Where an individual independently engages an advocate, the professional engagement, legal advice, fees and conduct of the matter remain subject to the applicable professional rules and the independent advocate-client relationship.

ACI does not guarantee the acceptance of any matter, the availability of assistance or any legal outcome.

10. Digital Operations, Privacy and Security

ACI’s digital systems may support membership, learning, events, resources, applications, communications, authorised payments and other institutional functions.

Users must provide accurate information, safeguard account credentials and refrain from unauthorised access, fraud, misuse of data or interference with digital systems.

Personal information shall be handled in accordance with applicable law and the relevant privacy notice. Access to confidential documents and sensitive information shall be appropriately restricted.

Users shall comply with the applicable website terms, privacy policy, programme rules and intellectual-property requirements.

11. Complaints and Disciplinary Measures

ACI encourages members, learners, employees and other participants to report genuine concerns regarding misconduct, fraud, harassment, misuse of resources or violations of institutional policies through its designated complaint channels.

Complaints shall be reviewed according to their nature and seriousness. Where appropriate, the person concerned shall be informed of the allegations and given a reasonable opportunity to respond.

Depending on the circumstances, ACI may issue warnings, require corrective action, restrict access, suspend participation, terminate an authorised relationship or refer a matter to a competent authority.

Any applicable statutory rights and remedies remain unaffected.

12. Amendments and Implementation

These Rules may be reviewed and amended by the competent authority in accordance with the Trust Deed and applicable law.

Supplementary policies and programme-specific terms may be issued to address membership, finance, academic administration, affiliates, privacy, complaints and other operational matters.

If any provision conflicts with the registered Trust Deed or applicable law, the Trust Deed or applicable law shall prevail to the extent of the conflict.

13. Institutional Disclaimer

Advocate Council of India is an independent public charitable trust. India’s Digital National Legal Academy is an institutional initiative of the Trust.

ACI is not, by virtue of its name or activities, a governmental authority, statutory Bar Council, court or university. It does not enrol advocates, grant licences to practise law or exercise statutory regulatory powers.

Participation in ACI programmes, membership, training or networking does not guarantee employment, clients, cases, income or any particular professional outcome.

14. Contact and Grievances

For membership queries, programme-related concerns, institutional communications or complaints, please use the official contact channels published on the Advocate Council of India website.

Effective Date: 10.06.2025

Issued by: Advocate Council of India Trust

Note: These Rules are intended to operate consistently with the registered Trust Deed and applicable law. They do not replace statutory requirements or separate contractual terms applicable to particular programmes or services