Indian Lawyers Fear Americans, British would practice Indian law for a fraction of their price

Supreme Court of India

In an irony of ironies, there is currently a case before the Indian courts that would open up legal practice in India to foreign firms. Indians, as they should be, are very tight on who can practice law in India, and currently foreign attorneys cannot practice Indian law. That is why Howrey can not call their new office in India a legal practice. Indian lawyers for the most part are fighting the opening up of outsiders tooth and nail, because they are afraid that foreign firms could drive them out of business. However, Indians being able to practice American law in India, that perfect ok.

From Sofia Lind of LegalWeek:

"The Bar Council of India is set to visit the U.K. later this month, as the longstanding talks about opening up the country’s legal market to foreign law firms continue.

The news comes as it emerges that a crucial court case, scheduled to take place at the end of last month, has been pushed back until the summer.

The case, now due to be heard in July, was initially brought against Ashurst, White & Case and Chadbourne & Parke in 1995, when the firms set up liaison offices in India. The hearing, now set for July 16, will determine whether the Advocates Act means foreign law firms are prevented from practicing Indian law in the country or from practicing in the country at all. Whatever the outcome, it is likely that the case will be appealed."