This article from Sunday’s Business Standard indicates that the Doha Round of the WTO regarding trade in services will not result in an opening of India’s legal services market to foreign law firms.
The Indian Bar Council has engaged in discussions with its counterparts from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom over the past two years, discussing the possibility of allowing foreign lawyers or law firms to establish presences in India. At present, foreign law firms make their presence felt in India through low-key agreements with Indian firms.
The article mentions resistance from the Indian bar to foreign competition, as well as regulatory hurdles. Those hurdles include limitations on the number of partners a firm can have and local ownership requirements.
Tip of the hat to Samir Kaushik and Andrew Nash, WU Law Class of 2008
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