Law Society hails India for opening up legal services sector

A TOP association of solicitors in the UK has welcomed India’s decision to open up its legal services sector.

The Bar Council of India has decided to allow overseas lawyers and law firms to practise foreign laws and international arbitration matters in the south Asian country.

The statutory body which regulates law practice in India also framed rules for the registration of foreign lawyers and law firms.

However, they are permitted to practise only on transactional or corporate matters and are not allowed to appear before any court or tribunal in the country.

The Law Society of England and Wales described the reform as a “significant step forward” in creating “opportunities for solicitors and Indian advocates in both countries.”

Its president Lubna Shuja said the measure would also give a boost to India’s wider economic ambitions.

“We have long campaigned for this historic opening up of India’s legal services sector to foreign law firms,” she said in a statement released by the Law Society on Wednesday (15).

“We look forward to engaging further on the implementation of the regulations, based on reciprocity of access,” Shuja said.

“England and Wales is open to practice by Indian lawyers and law firms, both for temporary practice and permanent establishment, and we are committed to ensuring it remains open.”