India to open its legal sector to British lawyers and firms; BCI will notify about updated guidelines by the end of July., ET LegalWorld

India is preparing to open its legal services market to UK-based lawyers and law firms by the end of July, as per a recent announcement by the Bar Council of India (BCI). The significant move, revealed at a meeting with the Law Society and the Bar Council of England and Wales, is expected to be formalized through revised regulations due to be announced soon.

This development is a result of the BCI regulations 2022 regarding the registration of foreign lawyers and foreign law firms in India. However, the current opening will be exclusively for UK lawyers, which will be a significant step towards internationalisation of the Indian legal market.

The BCI decision comes amid ongoing dialogues to resolve concerns of various stakeholders. Key issues under discussion include the precise definition of ‘foreign law’, restrictions on engaging clients by foreign lawyers and the financial aspects of registering such lawyers in India.

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra emphasized the council’s commitment to promoting better international cooperation. He mentioned that this initiative aims to establish inter-relationships between Indian and British lawyers, enabling smoother operations and better collaboration across borders.

Future legislation is expected to establish a framework to ensure clarity and fairness regarding the participation of UK lawyers in the Indian legal market. The move is also seen as a step towards improving the overall quality of legal services available in India by integrating international expertise and standards.

By opening up its legal market, India aims to benefit from the vast experience and knowledge that British lawyers bring to the table. It is hoped that this initiative will pave the way for more robust legal services and potentially inspire further reforms in the Indian legal system.

As the legal community in India prepares for these changes, the focus remains on ensuring that the integration of foreign lawyers is smooth and beneficial to all parties involved. The BCI is expected to release the final details of the amended regulations soon, providing a clearer picture of the operational aspects of this landmark decision.