The Bar Council of India (BCI) has dashed hopes that foreign law firms may soon be able to practise in the country by voicing its strong opposition to the proposal.


At a press conference in New Delhi last week, BCI chairman Jaganath Patnaik reiterated the council's view that foreign lawyers and law firms should not be permitted to work in India.



He said the BCI, which represents one million Indian lawyers, was the only statutory authority governing and regulating the legal profession and legal education in the country, and no other organisation was entitled to make statements affecting the Indian legal profession.



Mr Patnaik's comments came in response to remarks made earlier this month by the chairman of the All India Bar Association. During a visit to London, Adish Aggarwala announced the private association of lawyers had dropped its opposition once it was clarified that foreign lawyers did not seek to practise in Indian courts.



Alison Hook, head of international at the Law Society, said negotiations between the countries would continue and she hoped the BCI would be involved in them in the future.



Catherine Baksi