The Supreme Court ruled that advocates cannot be held liable under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986 for deficiency in service.
The court ruled that a complaint to this effect against an advocate was not maintainable before a consumer forum.
The court also indicated that its 1996 decision that held medical professionals accountable under the Consumer Protection Act may need to be revisited.
As per the SC, CP Act, 1986 as re-enacted in 2019 was to provide protection to the consumers from the unfair trade practices and unethical business practices only.
There is nothing on record to suggest the Legislature ever intended to include the Professions or the Professionals within the purview of the Act.
Advocates must be liable under civil/criminal law, not consumer law.