The Hindu : National : "Entry of foreign law firms will cause havoc"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 21, 2005

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National

"Entry of foreign law firms will cause havoc"

Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) has urged the Centre not to succumb to international pressure and permit the entry of foreign law firms.

In a press release, Lalit Bhasin, president, said the Commerce Ministry setting up of a committee to consider opening up legal services to foreign firms was a retrograde step. The committee had held meetings with representatives of the Law Society of England and Wales.

The matter should be carefully considered in consultation with the Bar Council of India, the Bar Association of India, SILF and other legal bodies. "It is not just a question of opening up legal services. It is a matter of opening our system of administration of justice. Legal profession in India is an integral part of our justice delivery system. Tampering with the same may lead to serious consequences."

At some point of time, there might be international pressure for opening up the judicial system and appointing overseas judges in view of their familiarity with international issues, particularly commercial matters, which came up before courts. The vital question should not be left to the Commerce Ministry to decide. The Prime Minister's Office should deal with the sensitive issue, which also concerned the judiciary, Mr. Bhasin said.

The All-India Bar Association also urged the Prime Minister to immediately drop any move to allow foreign law firms.

In a release, chairman Adish C. Aggarwala and vice-chairman S. Prabhakaran said throwing open legal services to foreign lawyers would cause havoc in the field. They wanted the Government to take into confidence the entire legal profession before initiating any such proposal.

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