The Bar Council of India (BCI) has introduced landmark amendments to its rules, significantly expanding the scope of foreign law firms’ operations in India. This reform marks a crucial shift in India’s legal services market.
Under the new rules, foreign law firms can now represent clients in all international arbitration cases in India and practice before courts through their Indian-licensed advocates and partners. This is a substantial change from the previous restriction to “non-litigious” matters only. The amendments also introduce the concept of “Indian-foreign law firms,” allowing Indian law firms to register as foreign entities while maintaining their domestic practice rights. This enables Indian lawyers to work with foreign law firms without surrendering their Bar license, creating a competitive environment in the international legal space.
The reform is particularly significant for India’s aspirations to become a global arbitration hub. Foreign firms can now handle arbitrations involving domestic law, provided their clients are primarily foreign-based. This change addresses long-standing demands from international businesses operating in India and aligns with global legal practice standards.
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