Overview

• The Bar Council of India has formally implemented amended rules permitting foreign lawyers and firms to practice foreign and international law in India under strict regulatory conditions.
• Foreign lawyers are restricted to non-litigious work, such as international arbitration and cross-border legal matters, and are barred from practicing Indian law or appearing in Indian courts.
• The framework includes a reciprocity model, enabling Indian lawyers to register as foreign practitioners abroad without forfeiting their domestic practice rights.
• Compliance requirements include detailed documentation, such as proof of qualifications, no-objection certificates, and regulatory declarations, to ensure oversight and protect local professionals.
• While the legal industry has largely welcomed the changes as a step toward global integration, some concerns have been raised about practical ambiguities and the rules' limited scope.