Alok Singh
On 17 June 2025, the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) constituted a committee led by Shardul Shroff to examine and propose amendments to the Bar Council of India’s new rules permitting foreign law firms and lawyers to operate in India. This will include other well-known legal professionals like Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, Jyoti Sagar, V. Lakshmikumaran, Pallavi Shroff, Uday Singh Ahlawat, and Varun Bajaj.
The group has asked the Bar Council of India (BCI) to temporarily stop the implementation of these rules. In a letter dated 17th June 2025, the president of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), Lalit Bhasin, said that since the BCI itself feels the rules need another look, they should be kept on hold for now.
At the same time, the BCI has formed its own committee to listen to the concerns of Indian lawyers. This committee is headed by Cyril Shroff from Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and other reputed lawyers.
SILF indicated that many members of the BCI committee are also part of SILF and are expected to adhere to the decisions established in earlier meetings. They made it clear that they do not oppose the entry of foreign lawyers into India; however, they believe this process should be gradual and with proper steps.
SILF’s committee is set to present its recommendations by 17th July. One major topic for discussion will be the necessity of revising the Advocates Act, given that the Supreme Court has previously determined that only Indian citizens can practice law in the country.
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