National Law Firm Registry in the Works: BCI Advocates Democratic Structure
(Judicial Quest News Network)
The Bar Council of India has issued a press release expressing its disapproval of the Society of Indian Law Firms’ public criticism regarding the Council’s proposed approach to facilitating the entry of foreign lawyers into the Indian legal sector.
On Tuesday, the Bar Council of India (BCI) announced the launch of a national registry encompassing all Indian law firms and their legal professionals, aimed at forming a democratically elected body representing the legal fraternity across the country.
This was revealed in a press release that criticized the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) for publicly opposing the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) approach to permitting the entry of foreign lawyers and law firms into the country. While highlighting SILF’s shortcomings, the statement added.
“Further, it is important to bring to public attention that SILF has not held the elections for its office bearers in decades and continues to operate as an exclusive association. It cannot claim representative status for the thousands of law firms operating across India. BCI is in the process of preparing a centralized registry of all law firms and lawyers practicing within them, with the aim of establishing a democratically-elected pan-India organization of Indian law firms. This organization will ensure that voices from every region and practice level are included in the policy dialogues.”
In a strongly worded statement, the Bar Council of India (BCI) alleged that the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) primarily advocates for the interests of large law firms in the country. The regulatory body for the legal profession asserted that.
“It is widely acknowledged that a small group of Firms have monopolized corporate, transactional, and arbitration work in India through a combination of scale, proximity to decision-makers, and indirect arrangements with foreign clients. This has stifled the growth of smaller law firms and talented young lawyers. The BCI, through these Regulations, seeks to democratize access to cross-border legal work and dismantle the structural monopolies that have long existed within the Indian legal services sector.”
The release went to counter the SILF opposition to liberalization of the legal market.
“SILF has also attempted to mischaracterize the Regulations by claiming that Indian legal practice is being compromised. In fact, the Regulations explicitly protect Indian legal sovereignty. This conduct is not only unbecoming of members of the legal fraternity but also undermines the institutional integrity of a statutory regulatory authority under the Advocates Act, 1961”
SILF has found fault with the manner in which the BCI aims to liberalize India’s legal landscape.
At the same time the Bar Council of India remains steadfast in its resolve to uphold the dignity, growth, and international recognition of the Indian legal community. It is also duty bound to protect the rights, privileges, and interests of advocates, including law firms, under the framework of the Advocates Act, 1961. Law firms and legal professionals should have no apprehension regarding the validity, scope, or intent of these Regulations.
