Govt to keep an eye on law firms

The Centre is set to bring law firms under the control of a regulator, which will enable the government to closely monitor their thriving business activity, Nagender Sharma reports.

The Centre is set to bring law firms under the control of a regulator, which will enable the government to closely monitor their thriving business activity.

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The law ministry has begun the process to put an end to the “free environment without any regulation” in which the 500 Indian law firms are working.

“Law firms in India have reported a turnover of Rs 500 crore during the financial year 2009-10 and have been for the first time brought under the service tax net, which was Rs 50 crore for this period,” the ministry said in an internal note.

The ministry has asked the Bar Council of India (BCI), the apex regulator for legal profession in the country, to frame a code of conduct for these firms.

“The BCI regulates only advocates who are enrolled with it. Law firms as such are not required to register themselves before any statutory authority or require permission to engage in non-litigation practice,” said the ministry document. It has pointed out that several non-legal firms have exploited the lack of clear guidelines by employing law graduates and using their services for profit.

“Exploiting loopholes, many accountancy and management firms are employing law graduates who are rendering legal services, in violation of the provisions of Advocates Act, 1961,” stated the law ministry.

The BCI has said it is in the process of framing a code of conduct, which is likely to be finalised soon. “We want all the law firms operating in India to provide details of their employees, annual returns and the nature of business they are indulging in,” said a BCI functionary.

The ministry has also rejected the argument of law firms that foreign firms should not be allowed to take part in arbitration (out of court settlements) proceedings in the country.