The Bar Council of India (BCI) has cautioned Indian law firms against forming unauthorised or unregistered partnerships with their foreign counterparts.
In a detailed press release issued on October 21, the BCI expressed “grave concern” over collaborations between Indian and foreign law firms, which, it said, are often presented as “unified or integrated global legal service platforms.”
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“These combinations are often structured through Swiss Vereins, strategic alliances, exclusive referral models, or joint branding initiatives, and are publicly promoted under combined identities. This portrays to clients and the public at large a de facto integrated legal practice across jurisdictions, including within India,” the regulatory body said.
The Council clarified that entities functioning as Indian–foreign law firms are required to be registered before commencing any activity that could be interpreted as the practice of law.
