New Delhi: 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. However, it 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 favour of liberalisation of the Act.
