On 14 May 2025, Bar & Bench journalist Pallavi Saluja reported that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has notified significant amendments to the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022. The updated rules permit the entry of foreign lawyers and law firms to practice foreign law in India on a reciprocity basis, with the stated objective of safeguarding the interests of Indian advocates while promoting India as a destination for international legal services.
The amended rules allow foreign lawyers and law firms to engage in non-litigious matters such as foreign law, international law, and arbitration, especially in cross-border transactions and disputes. They are also permitted to participate in international commercial arbitration conducted in India, provided the dispute involves foreign or international law.
In parallel, Indian advocates and law firms may register as foreign lawyers or foreign law firms, enabling them to offer consultancy on foreign and international law without losing their rights to practice Indian law domestically. A new category—Indian-Foreign Law Firms—has been introduced, allowing Indian entities to operate in both domestic and international legal spheres, including litigation before Indian courts.
To prevent undue competition, the BCI has implemented stringent registration and renewal requirements, including documentation of qualifications, no-objection certificates, and compliance declarations.
The rules also permit “fly-in, fly-out” arrangements under strict limitations—up to 60 days in a 12-month period—for foreign lawyers providing legal advice on foreign or international law, without establishing a permanent presence in India.
Overall, these amendments strike a balance between opening India’s legal market to international players and preserving the professional space and rights of Indian lawyers, under the regulatory supervision of the BCI.