Bar Council of India Cautions Law Firms Against Unregistered Foreign Collaborations

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has withdrawn its August 5, 2025, press release and issued a revised notice following developments in the Madras Bar Association case.

The BCI reiterated that partnerships between Indian and foreign law firms, whether through Swiss Vereins, strategic alliances, exclusive referrals, or joint branding, are impermissible without registration under the Advocates Act and the Foreign Lawyers Rules.

BCI cautioned that such tie-ups mislead clients into believing in unified “global” firms unlawfully practising Indian law, and clarified that foreign lawyers may practise only foreign or international law within statutory limits. Show-cause notices have been issued to non-compliant firms.