The Bar Council of India (BCI) has formed a committee, chaired by Mr. Cyril Shroff, to examine concerns raised by Indian law firms regarding the recent rules permitting the regulated entry of foreign lawyers and law firms into India. This development aims to address the apprehensions of Indian law firms while ensuring the smooth implementation of the rules.
Key Highlights:
– Committee’s Objective : Assess the implementation of the rules, propose safeguards to prevent foreign lawyers from circumventing restrictions, and recommend measures to ensure Indian law firms are not competitively disadvantaged.
– Committee Members : Prominent lawyers, including Ajay Bahl, Suhail Nathani, Sandip Bhagat, Mahesh Agarwal, and Amit Kapur, will work alongside Cyril Shroff to achieve the committee’s objectives.
– BCI’s Stance : The BCI has clarified that the rules remain operational and have not been suspended, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding the rights and interests of Indian legal professionals.
Committee’s Key Functions:
– Assessing Rule Implementation : Evaluate the effectiveness of the rules and suggest measures to enhance clarity and consistency.
– Safeguards : Propose measures to prevent foreign lawyers from engaging in unauthorized practice of Indian law.
– Competitive Disadvantage : Recommend measures to ensure Indian law firms are not disadvantaged and propose enabling measures to strengthen their capacity.
Timeline:
– The committee is expected to submit its report within 30-40 days.
– A meeting with law firms will be held in India in August 2025 to gather inputs on the impact, structure, and implementation of the rules.
