Indian Suit Proceeds Against Foreign Law Firms

A lawsuit launched to enjoin foreign law firms from practising law in India is lurching ahead in Chennai. Originally begun in March, the suit names 30 international law firms and one LPO as respondents. According to Legally India, the court has just ruled that the respondents will now be served and must defend against the suit.

The individual plaintiff, a lawyer, rests his case on the Advocates Act, 1961, which governs who may practice law. According to his petition (available here in PDF via Legally India), only Indian citizens may practice law in India, though foreigners may be admitted to practice if their country of citizenship permits Indian nationals to practice there; his claim is that there is no proper reciprocity on the part of the United States, the U.K. and Australia.

The ruling provides that the respondents must file appearances by August 4.