Bar bodies lock horns over foreign law firms

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has opposed the All-India Bar Association's declaration in London that the BCI had withdrawn its opposition to the entry of foreign law firms into India.

The council reaffirmed its stand that it was opposed to foreign law firms setting up offices here and foreign lawyers appearing in Indian courts.

BCI Chairman Jagannath Patnaik today said the council, set up under the law, represented the legal profession in this country and no private organisation was authorised to state that foreign law firms could set up offices here.

He indicated that the council might take action against the lawyers who made unauthorised statements in London. The Bar Council of Delhi has initiated action against the lawyers and set up a committee to deal with the matter.

Patnaik said according to the Bar Council rules no foreign citizen could practice in India. He clarified that though Indians with legal degrees from recognised universities abroad could enroll themselves in state bar councils of India, foreigners were strictly barred.