Foreign Law Firms In India: Hurdles Await

A significant penetration might be far away until basic issues are fixed.

- RUKMINI RAO

AFTER DECADES of resistance, Bar Council of India (BCI), which regulates legal profession, has agreed to allow foreign law firms and lawyers to establish their presence in the country, but with caveats. In rules notified on March 10, BCI said with the world “becoming a global village” and Indian legal fraternity’s proficiency now comparable to international standards, it was opening up the profession to make India a hub of international commercial arbitration.

Big law firms welcomed the move. Many posts by partners on Linkedin said this was long overdue. “This will lead to expansion of opportunities for both Indian and foreign law firms," said Rajiv K. Luthra, founder and managing partner of Luthra And Luthra-Law Offices India.