The Bar Council of India (BCI), a statutory body of advocates, today
decided not to permit foreign lawyers or their firms to practise in
India, but assured that a more detailed and rational scrutiny of the
subject would be done soon. "The Bar Council of India has decided not to
permit foreign lawyers into India.
However, the said decision is subject to a more detailed and rational
scrutiny in the light of opinions and points of view of different
stakeholders," a BCI press release said here. The BCI, which is
concerned with the safeguard of rights, privileges and interests of
advocates, has received numerous representations on the subject, the
release said, adding it was committed to taking steps that benefit the
Indian legal profession.
It also informed that the BCI perceived the Indian legal profession
to be both service-oriented as well as based on business principles and
hence it was important to understand the legal profession in the Indian
context. "At the same time, Indian lawyers are not averse to
self-upgradation and skill acquisition.
Once the reforms process is initiated, the profession could be stated to
be in some readiness to the opening up of the legal sector (for foreign
law firms)," it added. The matter, the release said, had to be
considered by the BCI, which was presently laying a clear road map for
the purpose of ensuring legal reforms so that even entry of foreign
lawyers would cause no serious concern.
The Indian Advocates Act of 1961 includes a clause that prevent foreign
lawyers from practicing in India. However the government was in favor
of liberalization of the Act.
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