Alok Singh
On 12th June, 2025, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has constituted a new advisory panel to constructively engage with the views of some sections of the Indian legal fraternity. The response towards the introduction of rules allowing regulated participation of foreign lawyers and law firms in India. BCI intends to maintain transparency and promote mutual understanding during a significant regulatory transition in India’s legal services sector.
This newly formed body will be led by Cyril Shroff (Managing Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas), and includes prominent legal luminaries such as Ajay Bahl (AZB & Partners), Suhail Nathani (ELP), Sandip Bhagat (S&R Associates), Mahesh Agarwal (Agarwal Law Associates), and Amit Kapur (JSA). The panel’s formation was in response to the feedback from certain Indian law firms, who have expressed concerns regarding the competitive and structural implications of the amended rules.
The committee has been tasked with analysing how the rules are functioning in practice and proposing refinements (where needed) to enhance their effectiveness and consistency. It will also examine mechanisms to prevent any indirect practice of Indian law by foreign entities through partnerships, referrals, or other collaborative arrangements.
A key mandate of the committee includes recommending steps to prevent Indian firms from being put at a disadvantage during this phase of transition. This may include proposals for strengthening domestic firms through strategic support in areas like infrastructure, skill development, and access to technology. The committee will also explore whether Indian firms should be afforded similar operational flexibility as their international counterparts, including changes to law firm structures and access to funding, to promote fair competition.
The panel will reaffirm the foundational character of the legal profession in India, i.e. one grounded in fiduciary duty, client trust, and responsibility to the court, rather than commercial norms. It will also initiate consultations with stakeholders to gather feedback and recommend actions.
The meetings of the committee will be held at the BCI’s premises, with Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending as a special invitee. Srimanto Sen (Principal Secretary to the BCI) will serve as the Committee’s Convenor. The resolution also allows for the nomination of other senior lawyers, judges, or experts to support the committee’s work.
The BCI has requested the committee to deliver its recommendations within 30 to 40 days. A broader consultation with both Indian and foreign firms is expected, with a meeting likely to be held in August 2025.
Notably, the BCI has clarified that the existing rules permitting foreign participation remain fully in effect and have not been paused or suspended. The committee’s mandate is explicitly consultative to ensure smooth implementation and address stakeholders’ concerns without disrupting the rules already in force.
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