The Bar Council of India (BCI) has released the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026, mandating all law firms in India to register. This proposal seeks to introduce a new chapter titled ‘Registration of Law Firms’ in the Advocates Act, 1961. Sources indicate that law firms operating across multiple states would need to register not only with the BCI but also with the relevant State Bar Councils.
Registration Requirements
The draft defines a law firm as any partnership, limited liability partnership, company, or other entity comprising advocates engaged in legal practice. A partner or owner of such a firm can apply for registration with the BCI by paying the specified fee. The BCI will maintain a comprehensive register of law firms, providing annual updates to the Central or State governments.
Regulating Professional Conduct
Additionally, the BCI will have the authority to set standards for professional conduct and etiquette for both advocates and law firms. This measure aims to grant statutory recognition to Indian law firms, which, until now, have primarily been concentrated in metropolitan areas. Encouragement is also being extended to advocates practicing at state, district, and taluka levels to form and register their law firms.
Framework for Foreign Law Firms
Significantly, the amendments propose a framework for the regulation of foreign lawyers and law firms within the Advocates Act. The BCI will have the authority to register foreign entities for specific practice areas and manage their registrations, including renewals, suspensions, or cancellations. Temporary operations in India on a ‘fly-in and fly-out’ basis are also contemplated, pending Central government approval.
Reciprocity remains a key condition; if a foreign nation restricts Indian citizens from practicing law or discriminates against them, its citizens and firms could be restricted from practicing in India. Notably, registration as a foreign entity would not equate to enrolment as an advocate on a State roll, and foreign practitioners would be prohibited from appearing before Indian courts, with exceptions only for international commercial arbitration under foreign law.
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Phased Entry for Foreign Firms
The BCI emphasized a phased approach to the entry of foreign law firms, ensuring that the interests of Indian law firms are not compromised. A committee led by Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Managing Partner Cyril Shroff, along with representatives from reputable Indian law firms, has submitted a report on this matter, which the BCI is considering.
This proposal largely codifies the BCI’s 2023 Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, updated in 2025. Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback by 3 pm on July 31. The amendments will only take effect upon parliamentary enactment and implementation by the Central government.
