Bar Council Now Permits Foreign Lawyers, Law Firms To Practice Law In India

Nagpur: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has agreed to reciprocally allow foreign lawyers and law firms to practice foreign law in India.

They will, however, be unable to practice law in India with the BCI. A foreign lawyer’s registration fee is $25,000, and a law firm’s registration fee is $50,000.

Foreign lawyers and law firms will be permitted to practice law in India in non-litigious matters, according to the rules. The BCI will determine the areas of law practice they are permitted to practice in consultation with the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.

According to the statutory body, opening up law practice in India to foreign lawyers in the field of practice of foreign law, diverse international legal issues in non-litigious matters, and international arbitral cases would go a long way in helping the legal profession grow in the country.

“India is unlikely to suffer any disadvantage if law practice in India is restricted, well-controlled, and regulated,” according to the BCI.

These rules will help address concerns about the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country and turn India into a centre for international commercial arbitration,” it added.

The registration will be valid for 5 years, according to the rules. Foreign lawyers and law firms will be required to renew it by filing an application for renewal within 6 months of the expiration date.