FICL Code of Ethics & Standards of Professional Conduct for In-House Lawyers. ("FICL Code") was released on 27 May 2022 at the Inaugural "FICL 1st Corporate Lawyers Summit 2022. You may view the coverage of the said Summit.
FICL Code is to provide general guidance to the In-house corporate lawyers community in India on the ethical and professional standards expected from them. FICL Code seeks to establish and set out a recommended standard of ethical behaviour and professional conduct which should be followed by all In-house corporate lawyers. It is hoped FICL Code will assist all who make up and comprise the In-house Corporate Lawyers Community in India in their daily working activities.
In India the Bar Council of India Rules (BC Rules), Chapter II, Part VI prescribes the "Standards for Professional Conduct and Etiquette" for advocates - it is litigious services which form the context of Chapter II of the BCI Rules. Thus, large portion of legal services provided by In-house Corporate Lawyers remains unregulated.
FICL Code of Conduct is based on the ICW Guidance on Ethics which has been drafted as an international code for the In-house Community and is intended to serve as a general guide on the ethical and professional standards expected from the In house corporate lawyer community as a whole and to supplement BCI Rules to certain extent. FICL believes that the basic tenets of this Code of Conduct will serve any member of the FICL and/or In-house corporate lawyer well in his/her profession in India as well.
We would love to hear your feedback/comments on using the FICL Code in your work environment, you may drop an email at ficl@ficl.org.in
View or Download copy of the FICL Code.
