Legal experts divided over SC ruling on foreign law firms

Legal experts divided over SC ruling on foreign law firms

Context

SC’s recent ruling of not allowing the foreign firms to practice in India

Arguments against the ruling

• Liberalization of legal sector: There is a question that pertains to liberalization of the legal sector in accordance with WTO initiated global trade negotiations
• No intent to practice in the first place: Their entire object is to handhold foreign clients or Indian clients from abroad coming into India or foreign and Indian clients doing legal work abroad. In all cases involving appearances in Indian courts or all cases of opinions on Indian law, such law firms always do and must engage Indian lawyers

Arguments in support of the ruling

View of the BCI: Judgment welcomed

• Since it allows foreign lawyers with international expertise to come and offer their advice.
• But the judgment protects Indian law firms and lawyers