New Delhi: Bar council of india (BCI) has announced a revised rules allowing foreign lawyers and law firms to practice foreign and international law within India, under clearly defined conditions.Under the revised rules, foreign legal professionals can advise on foreign laws and participate in the international commercial arbitration held in India, provided such cases include foreign or international legal structures, the news agecny ani. However, they prevent practicing Indian law or appearing before Indian courts, tribunals or statutory officials.The BCI emphasized that these changes aim to bring India into a preferred global center for international mediation, while the The Advocates Act, 1961 lies in the 1961, while protecting the exclusive rights of Indian advocates to practice Indian law.The updated rules revise the 2022 rules initially in the official gazette on March 10, 2023. They strengthen the fact that foreign lawyers can only engage in non-respective work, especially in cases related to border cross transactions, foreign laws and international disputes.Foreign lawyers and law firms should be registered with BCI and need to obtain any objection certificate (NOC) from both the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of External Affairs before practicing in India.According to the BCI statement, this regulator structure not only protects the integrity of the Indian legal profession, but also creates a structured opportunity for Indian lawyers to expand its practice globally. The council reiterated its commitment to maintain the sanctity of Indian legal practice, encouraging international legal cooperation through arbitration and advisory work.
