The Delhi High Court has asked the Bar Council of India and the government to respond to a plea that has been filed against the recently published notification allowing the entry of foreign law firms in India.
The plea was filed by eight practicing lawyers and it has been said in the notification that lawyers associated with foreign law firms will be considered advocates and practice law in non-litigious matters. The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to all the respondents and has listed the hearing for 24 April.
It has been said in the plea that the notification issued by the Bar Council of India in respect of foreign lawyers violates Article 21 of the Constitution. According to the plea, the rights of advocates and the entire legal fraternity have been affected by this. The plea has been filed in the Delhi High Court by Senior Advocates Rakesh Tiku and Kailash Vasdev on behalf of the petitioners.
It has been said in the plea that there is no reciprocity between India and other countries and the notification issued by the Bar Council of India permits any foreign lawyer of any country to solicit, open law firms, and extend their advice. This is a complete violation of the treaty of reciprocation of opening trade or business between the two countries.