Blitz Bureau
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has informed the Delhi High Court that its decision to allow the entry of foreign law firms and lawyers into India will benefit Indian lawyers as well, according to Bar and Bench.
The BCI has filed a detailed affidavit which said,“The standards of Indian lawyers in proficiency is comparable with the international standards and the legal fraternity in India is not likely to suffer any disadvantage in case law practice in India is opened up to foreign lawyers in a restricted and well controlled and regulated manner on the principle of reciprocity as it would be mutually beneficial for lawyers from India and abroad and the impugned Rules are an attempt by Bar Council of India in this direction.”
It has said that it will hold consultations with stakeholders to address issues in the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022, raised by lawyers and law firms.
“The Bar Council of India is in the process of making certain necessary amendments in these Rules and Regulations in order to ensure the factum of reciprocity in letter and spirit…The amendments would be aimed at a greater collaboration between foreign and Indian lawyers, and towards a more inclusive and integrated legal system in India,”it said.
Among the provisions being amended, the BCI says, are those pertaining to reciprocity and the flyin, fly-out model that allows foreign lawyers to operate in India for a maximum of 60 days in any period of 12 months.
Pending consultations with stakeholders, there shall be a temporary “stalling of the processes,” BCI has assured.
The affidavit states that the Rules will also help make India a hub of international commercial arbitration.
