Foreign law firms can’t set up office in India, but lawyers can advise: SC

The Supreme Court said even for the limited purposes, foreign lawyers will be subject to the Bar Council of India’s Code of Conduct.

The Supreme court on Tuesday said that foreign law firms cannot set up offices in India but their lawyers could give legal advise on foreign laws.

The top court’s verdict comes on pleas challenging judgements by the Bombay and Madras high courts. (Sonu Mehta/HT File Photo)

However, the bench headed by justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and Uday Umesh Lalit said that foreign lawyers could come to the country and participate in international commercial arbitration.

Justice Goel, while pronouncing the judgment, said that even for the limited purposes they would be subject to the Bar Council of India’s Code of Conduct.

The court also said that BPO companies engaged in rendering legal services did not come within the ambit of the Advocate Act and thus they can operate in India.

The court verdict came on pleas challenging judgements by the Bombay and Madras high courts.

Madras high court had said that foreign lawyers can fly in and fly out for tendering legal advice on foreign laws.