Lawyers boycotted all courts, including the Madras High Court and tribunals. A group of advocates staged a demonstration here and sought withdrawal of the legislation.
An effigy of Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal was burnt just outside the high court complex here.
Bar Council of India member and convenor of the Central Steering Committee S Prabakaran said the bill sought to invite foreign legal service providers at the cost of Indian investors. It would make the entry of foreign institutions and law firms easy.
The boycott of courts, for which the call had been given by the Bar Council of India, would continue tomorrow also.