The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa serves as the governing body for legal practitioners in the states of Maharashtra and Goa, as well as the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, is established under Section 3(i)(ccc) of the Advocates Act. The Bar Council is responsible for enrolling advocates, issuing “Sanad” or “Licenses” for legal practice, and overseeing disciplinary matters within its jurisdiction.

As a statutory body, the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa plays a critical role in regulating the legal profession and maintaining high standards of professional conduct and ethics. It also oversees legal education standards within its territories, ensuring that advocates are properly trained and meet the required professional criteria.

The Council consists of 25 elected members representing the entire jurisdiction along with the Advocate General from each state, who serves as an Ex-officio Member. The Bar Council elects its own Chairman and Vice-Chairman, who lead the organization, as well as one representative to serve on the Bar Council of India. The tenure for each Council is five years, with a Secretary acting as the administrative head. To manage its various functions, the Bar Council has established 25 specialized committees.

In addition to its regulatory role, the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa actively promotes initiatives to benefit its members. These include the Continuous Legal Education Programme (CLEP), Basic Legal Education Programme (BLEP), Regional conferences that encourage interaction among advocates, and an insurance scheme designed to support legal professionals. The Council also oversees the Maharashtra Advocates Welfare Fund, a program dedicated to supporting advocates in need.

To become a licensed advocate, an individual must complete a law course from a recognized university and apply for a “Sanad” through the Bar Council. Once approved, the advocate is granted the right to practice law in the specified regions. The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa currently represents over 215,000 lawyers, making it one of the largest bar councils in India. It is dedicated to fostering a professional and ethical legal community, promoting the welfare of its members, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services to the public.