The Bar Council of India (BCI) — the country’s apex disciplinary and regulatory body for legal education and profession — has finally allowed foreign law firms and lawyers to practise in India, but in a restricted manner and on reciprocity basis.
The BCI had opposed the entry of foreign law firms and lawyers for years.
On 10 March, the BCI released the Bar Council of India Rules For Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022, to facilitate the registration and practice of international lawyers in India.
This comes 5 years after the Supreme Court permitted the entry of foreign lawyers and firms on a temporary basis, but left it to the BCI to frame appropriate rules.
From restricting foreign lawyers and firms to playing only advisory roles to their clients in India to making renewal of registration mandatory every 5 years, the BCI has framed the rules in such a way that it does not jeopardise the prospects of Indian lawyers.
“Time ...