Entry of foreign law firms in India
The Bar Council of India (BCI) granted permission for foreign law firms and attorneys to establish offices and engage in practice in India, subject to certain limitations.
FOREIGN LAWFIRM IN INDIA
The Advocates Act of 1961 governs the legal profession in India and forbids foreign law firms from operating within the country . In order to safeguard the domestic legal sector and restrict the practice of law to Indian nationals, this legislation was implemented.
The 10 March notification clarifies the prerequisites for foreign law firms to conduct business in India. The registration of foreign law firms or attorneys, regulations, eligibility, removal, disciplinary actions, and more are detailed in the notification.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) granted permission for foreign law firms and attorneys to establish offices and engage in practice in India, subject to certain limitations.
The clarification concerning the notification makes the following clear: foreign law firms and attorneys are only permitted to advise their clients on international and foreign laws; they may only provide advisory services to their foreign clients regarding such laws; they are limited to operating in non-litigation areas; they are not permitted to appear before any court, tribunal, board, statutory or regulatory authority and foreign lawyers are permitted to represent clients in International Commercial Arbitration.
The liberalization of BCI would facilitate additional FDI and technology inflows. Although they would be required to retain local attorneys for court and tribunal appearances, investors would benefit from the convenience of having legal counsel provided by their own lawyers. The inclusion of foreign law firms in arbitration proceedings could support India's rise to prominence as a global center for arbitration. This would also provide Indian attorneys with the opportunity to practice in this field, thereby creating substantial prospects for Indian attorneys. Young and intelligent Indian attorneys will be presented with fresh prospects, while reciprocity will furnish them with practical knowledge in the international sphere. There might be a greater demand for more talented youthful attorneys and increased competition.