Unit IV · Professional Ethics and Professional Accounting System

Civil and criminal contempt by advocates

Study aid only. Confirm statute numbers with the current bare Act and the official OU LL.B. (3-YDC) 2024–25 syllabus PDF.

Statute sections

Act / instrument	Section	Name
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971	2(a)–(c)	Contempt, civil contempt and criminal contempt
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971	12	Punishment for contempt
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971	13–15	Defences, fair comment and cognizance

(1995) 2 SCC 584 · Supreme Court of India

Abusing a High Court judge in court was held to be criminal contempt; the Supreme Court initially also suspended the advocate's licence.

(1981) 3 SCC 166 · Supreme Court of India

Violence or insult to the court by an advocate is punished as contempt to protect the administration of justice, not the personal pride of the judge.

AIR 1992 SC 904 · Supreme Court of India

Scandalising the court in a petition is criminal contempt; a practising advocate is held to a higher standard of restraint.