In an age where almost everything is Instagrammable, even India’s highest court isn’t being spared. But now, some of the country’s top lawyers are saying: enough.
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has written to Chief Justice of India, asking for urgent action against the growing trend of lawyers and interns filming reels or promotional content inside the Supreme Court premises.
Their message? The courtroom is not a content studio.
From Courtroom to Content Feed
If you’re on social media and follow even a few young lawyers or law students, you’ve probably seen them: snippets from inside the Supreme Court, reels with trending music playing under quick takes on “a day in the life,” and even courtroom backdrops used for promotional content.
SCAORA says this is not only inappropriate, it’s dangerous.
In a formal resolution passed late July, the Association said such behaviour was turning the justice delivery system into a “spectacle,” undermining both the dignity of the courts and the ethical obligations of the legal profession.
What the Lawyers Are Asking For
The letter to the CJI isn’t just a rant, it’s a structured appeal for reform. Among their key demands:
- A complete ban on any kind of videography, reels, or promotional content within court premises
- Disciplinary action against those who violate the sanctity of court spaces
- Strict regulation on how live-streamed proceedings are used or shared
- Reinforcement of existing Bar Council of India rules that prohibit advertising or self-promotion by lawyers
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Between Transparency and Theatre
This debate isn’t new. Courts around the world have grappled with how much transparency is too much. But India’s legal community is now facing its own reckoning, as social media intersects with legal practice like never before.
Some argue that digital content helps demystify the judiciary for the public. But SCAORA is pushing back against this idea, warning that selective clips and viral edits can distort facts, mislead viewers, and sensationalise what should be sober, nuanced deliberations.
The Bigger Picture
At the heart of the matter is a question many in the legal fraternity are now asking:
What does it mean to be a lawyer in the digital age?
Should we applaud creativity, or draw a firm line around professional spaces?
In many ways, the SCAORA letter signals a tipping point. With courts becoming more accessible through live-streaming and technology, the need to protect institutional integrity is more urgent than ever.
Where Do We Go From Here?
As of now, there’s been no official response from the Chief Justice or the court registry. But the ball is in motion, and this isn’t likely to be a one-off debate.
For now, SCAORA has done what professional bodies are supposed to do:
Raise a red flag before things go too far.
Whether the courts decide to act or not, the legal community, and its Gen Z intern, may soon have to think twice before hitting record.
The letter: SCAORA.neetishastra.com
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By Parishkriti Atri
Parishkriti is a legal recruiter and a career coach. In her free time, she loves napping and gorging on chinese food.