The circular applies to advocates, law students and interns.
It deals with the misuse of court premises to shoot social media content, the sensationalisation of clips from judicial and live-streamed proceedings, professional identity and the disclosure of client work or confidential progessional matters.
On the conduct expected from law students, the BCI has said that they must be sensitised not to:
– make reels or videos inside court premises, chambers or law offices unless they are subject to applicable court rules, or in the absence of court rules, with the written approval of the Court/ Registrar General and as per the guidelines in the BCI circular;
– record hearings, virtual proceedings, client conferences, chamber discussions or professional interactions;
– disclose names of clients, case details, pleadings, briefs, chamber strategy, research assignments or confidential work;
– publish “day in Court”, “day in chamber” ‘, “internship reveal”, “case file”, “courtroom drama”, “lawyer life” or similar content which trivialises Court work or professional confidentiality;
– use an internship under an advocate, judge, tribunal, law officer, senior advocate, law firm or public authority for social media projection;
– post photographs or videos in robes, corridors, Court buildings or chambers in a manner contrary to professional decorum.
