On May 13, 2025, the Bar Council of India (BCI)—the statutory body regulating legal practice and education in India—announced amendments to the 2022 rules concerning the operation of foreign lawyers and law firms in the country.
Under the revised framework, foreign legal professionals are allowed to offer advisory services in foreign and international law, particularly in areas such as cross-border transactions and international arbitration, while restrictions on practicing Indian law and engaging in litigation remain in place.
India has announced amendments to new rules that can open the domestic legal market to foreign law practitioners. The amended Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022, was announced on May 13, 2025.
As per the latest regulations, foreign lawyers are now permitted to practice foreign law and international legal matters in India. However, they are prohibited from engaging in litigation practice, appearing before Indian courts, tribunals, or any other statutory authorities.
India's Advocates Act, 1961, granted exclusive rights to practice Indian law to citizens enrolled with the BCI. However, in March 2023, the BCI introduced its first move toward liberalization, issuing rules that opened India’s legal market for foreign law firms in non-litigious roles. The latest regulations build on that framework, removing ambiguities, creating mechanisms for formal registration, and defining new permissible entities and practices.
Key highlights
In a press release dated May 14, 2025, the BCI clarified the scope of permitted practice for foreign lawyers is strictly confined to non-litigious areas involving foreign law, international law, and arbitration matters, particularly concerning cross-border transactions and international disputes.
The BCI has also made it clear that foreign lawyers can take part in international commercial arbitration held in India, as long as it involves foreign law or international law.
Protecting legal interests of domestic lawyers
The BCI has established stringent requirements for the registration and renewal of foreign lawyers and law firms intending to practice foreign law in India. Foreign lawyers who are not registered with the BCI but seek to enter India temporarily under the “Fly-In Fly-Out” (FIFO) model must follow strict guidelines. To streamline the process, the BCI has introduced designated forms for specific purposes:
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- Form A: Application for registration of foreign lawyers and foreign law firms in India
- Form B: Application for renewal of registration of foreign lawyers and foreign law firms in India
- Form C: FIFO declaration for foreign lawyers and foreign law firms in India.
Registration and regulatory compliance for foreign law practitioners
Foreign legal professionals intending to operate in India must comply with the following regulatory and procedural requirements:
1. Obtain No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from:
- The Ministry of Law and Justice,
- The Ministry of External Affairs.
2. Submit an application to the BCI, along with the following documents:
- Proof of foreign legal qualification
- Letter of good standing from the relevant foreign legal authority
- Written undertaking to comply with Indian legal regulations
- Evidence of reciprocity from the applicant’s home jurisdiction
- Completed form A, along with applicable registration fee, a specified guarantee amount, and a non-refundable processing charge
3. Registration validity and renewal:
- Initial registration is valid for a period of five years
- Renewal applications must be submitted in Form B before the expiry of the registration period
- The renewal requirement applies to both foreign law firms and joint Indian-Foreign law firms operating under a dual jurisdiction framework
4. Adhering to ongoing compliance obligations in India:
- Annual renewal of registration
- Filing of annual compliance declarations
- Timely notification to the BCI of any disciplinary actions or changes in practice status
Rules for temporary entrants
The latest announcement also has stricter rules on foreign lawyers who do not maintain a permanent office in India but enter the country to work with clients; they must:
- Inform the BCI in advance of their arrival.
- Disclose the client’s name, nature of the work, and expected duration;
- Adhere to a maximum stay limit of 60 days within a 12-month period; and
- Refrain from performing activities beyond the permitted scope (i.e., engaging with Indian law or representing clients in litigation).
Fees for registration, renewal, and FIFO declaration
Under Chapter VI of the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022, the following will be the fee structure for those intending to practice in India:
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Registration fee
- Individual foreign lawyer: US$15,000 or equivalent fee in the foreign lawyer's primary jurisdiction, whichever is higher.
- Foreign law firms (including partnerships, LLPs, or corporations): US$25,000 or equivalent fee in the foreign firm's primary jurisdiction, whichever is higher.
- Additional registration fee for multiple foreign jurisdictions: US$5,000 per jurisdiction for individual foreign lawyers. US$10,000 per jurisdiction for foreign law firms.
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Renewal fee (every five years)
- Individual foreign lawyer: US$8,000 or equivalent fee in the foreign lawyer's primary jurisdiction, whichever is higher.
- Foreign law firm: US$15,000 or equivalent fee in the foreign firm's primary jurisdiction, whichever is higher.
- Renewal fee for multiple jurisdictions: US$2,000 per jurisdiction for individual foreign lawyers. US$5,000 per jurisdiction for foreign law firms.
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FIFO declaration fee
- Individual foreign lawyer: US$3,000 per declaration.
- Foreign law firm: US$6,000 per declaration.
- Additional jurisdictions: US$1,000 per jurisdiction for individual foreign lawyers. US$2,000 per jurisdiction for foreign law firms.
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Renewal of FIFO declaration
- Individual foreign lawyer: US$1,500 per renewal.
- Foreign law firm: US$3,000 per renewal.
- Additional jurisdictions: US$500 per jurisdiction for individual foreign lawyers. US$1,000 per jurisdiction for foreign law firms.
To access the complete list of fees and form structure, click here: Gazette Notification, F. No. BCI:D: 3335/2025
Establishing principle of reciprocity
The regulatory framework is designed to balance the goals of international legal integration with the protection of Indian legal professionals' interests. At the core of the newly established legal provisions lies the principle of reciprocity.
India has authorized foreign legal practitioners and law firms to operate in the country under reciprocal arrangements. This refers to a legal framework wherein one country grants rights and privileges to the citizens of another, provided similar benefits are extended in return.
Under this framework, Indian advocates can register as foreign lawyers or foreign law firms, allowing them to provide consultancy services in foreign and international law while continuing to practice Indian law within domestic jurisdictions. This dual registration system enables Indian legal professionals to expand their global presence without compromising their rights or standing within the Indian legal system.
According to legal experts in India, the regulatory development coincides with broader international trade dynamics, particularly the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) finalized on May 6, 2025. Although the FTA sought to boost bilateral trade across multiple sectors, it notably did not include legal services—which the UK's Law Society described as a “missed opportunity” for both countries.
Nevertheless, the recent amendments introduced by the BCI may signal incremental progress toward opening India’s legal sector, potentially setting the stage for future discussions on legal services within the FTA.
Conclusion
India's recent amendments to the 2022 rules governing the practice of foreign lawyers in the country can be viewed as a step toward the liberalization of its legal sector. By formalizing the entry of foreign lawyers and law firms into the Indian market through a reciprocal framework, the BCI has clarified the scope of permissible activities and reaffirmed that the practice of Indian law remains the exclusive domain of Indian advocates. This approach can enhance India’s appeal as a destination for international legal services.
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