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."

Related Topic: Indians Lawyers plead with International Community to not to take their jobs

Indian High Court at Mumbai

There is a unique look in the Economist about India possibly opening up their legal market to international competition. While many Americans fear their jobs being outsourced, it is interesting to their fear of being replaced by large international law firms if competition is opened up.

"IF YOU want to find the legal chiefs of big defence companies such as Boeing or BAE Systems, a good place to start looking is the foyer of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi. The in-house legal bosses are in town to appoint law firms to support their push into the Indian market, as the government updates its military equipment. They have to go in person, rather than sending their usual lawyers, because of the 1961 Indian Advocates Act, which prevents foreign firms from practising in the country.

Global law firms see India as one of the last untouched goldmines of the international legal scene. It has a booming economy, a strong legal system and a deep well of talented lawyers. The recent purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover, two luxury car brands, by Tata Group, a giant conglomerate, is the latest sign that Indian companies are ready to do the kind of deals that get international lawyers salivating. For the moment, however, all they can do is crane their necks to get a better look.

But that could change. On April 25th some of India's most distinguished judges were due to hear the final submissions in a High Court case that could be the first step towards opening the country to international competition. The judgment in the dispute between three international law firms and a group of prominent local lawyers will be a deciding factor in how the 47-year-old rule is interpreted."