Japan would like India to describe the following information concerning legal services.
(1) Despite the liberalization of FDI in various industries, the foreign law firms are not allowed to open office in India. Will India undertake any possible reform of legal services?
(2) With regard to legal services, what kind of activities can foreign legal service providers be engaged in?
Reply: At present Foreign Law Firms are not allowed to practice in India. Under the Indian Advocates Act, 1961 they are prohibited from giving any legal advice that could constitute practicing Indian Law. Currently this sector is governed by self regulatory professional body (Bar Council of India). As of now no change in the existing regime in the sector is contemplated.
