BCI rejects Law Commission’s Report allowing entry of Foreign Lawyers and Firms

July 10,2017:

Decision comes a day after Chief Justice of India JS Khehar favoured the entry of the foreign lawyers and the law firms, stating that the opportunity should never be missed.

Bar Council of India (BCI) has rejected the Law Commission of India’s 266th report which favoured the entry of foreign lawyers and law firms and recommended drastic changes in the manner of regulating legal profession in the country.

After two-day brain-storming session with the various Bar Bodies of the country, BCIwhich regulates the legal profession and education in India “unanimously decided to reject draconian, anti-lawyer and the undemocratic 266th report of the Law Commission of India in toto”.

 

Srimanto Sen, BCI Secretary stated that, “It was further resolved that Government be requested to not consider 266th report of the Law Commission of India at all.”

Bar leaders decided that the BCI would formulate its own recommendations relating to the amendments required in Advocates Act, 1961, in consultation with all the State Bar Councils and the various Bar Associations, including the High Court Bar Associations, across the country and send same to Union Law Ministry.

In a letter sent to the BCI, Union Ministry of Law & Justice had requested BCI to furnish views of the Bar Councils on 266th report of Law Commission of India suggesting amendments to Advocates Act, 1961.

 

Describing the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2017 as “draconian”, BCI had earlier stated that the recommendations of Law Commission put entire legal fraternity into jeopardy.

Accusing Law Commission Chairman Justice BS Chauhan of misleading Government, the BCI had demanded his resignation.