SLIDE 1: Bar Council allows foreign firms and lawyers to practice in India

Slide 2 (Decision of the Bar Council)

• In an unprecedented move, the Bar Council has decided to permit foreign laws to practice in India.
• The Bar Council has stated that the foreign lawyers will be allowed to practice in selected areas.
• The areas of practice will be determined by the Bar Council in consultation with the Law Ministry and the Union Government. 

Slide 3 (reciprocal basis)

• The foreign lawyers and firms will be allowed to work in corporate sector and dealings such as mergers, acquisition and contract works.
• Such permission will be given to foreign laws and firms only on a reciprocal basis.

Slide 4 (regulated practice)

• The areas as well as number of foreign lawyers practicing in India will be regulated by the Bar Council.
• If the Bar Council is of the opinion that the number of foreign laws is disproportionately higher than the number of Indian lawyers, then the Bar Council may deny them the permission to practice in India. 
• The Bar Council believes that opening up the Indian legal industry to foreign firms will help in nourishing the international commercial arbitration in India.
• This will also help the Indian legal industry.