Establishment of Branch Office (BO) / Liaison Office (LO) / Project Office (PO) or any other place of business in India by foreign law firms

Last updated: 24 November 2020

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The Reserve Bank of India has issued a notification clarifying that foreign law firms are prohibited from establishing any place of business in India for the purpose of practising law. This follows a Supreme Court ruling stating that only advocates enrolled under the Advocates Act, 1961, are permitted to practise law in India. Authorised banks are directed not to grant any approvals for such offices and to report any violations.

RBI/2020-21/69 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 07 November 23, 2020 To, All Category - I Authorized Dealer Banks Madam / Sir Establishment of Branch Office (BO) / Liaison Office (LO) / Project Office (PO) or any other place of business in India by foreign law firms Attention of the Authorised Dealer (AD - Category I) banks is invited toAP (DIR Series) Circular No. 23 dated October 29, 2015, on the above issue advising that no fresh permissions/ renewal of permission shall be g

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FAQ :

No, foreign law firms are not permitted to establish any branch office, project office, liaison office, or any other place of business in India for the purpose of practising legal profession.

The Supreme Court has ruled that only advocates enrolled under the Advocates Act, 1961, are entitled to practise law in India. Therefore, foreign law firms, companies, or lawyers cannot practise law in India.

AD Category-I banks are directed not to grant any approval to foreign law firms for establishing offices in India for practising legal profession. They must also report any violations of these provisions to the Reserve Bank of India.

All other provisions of the policy regarding Branch Offices (BO), Liaison Offices (LO), and Project Offices (PO) remain unchanged, except for the prohibition on practising law.

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Notification No : RBI/2020-21/69 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 07
Published in Community & General
Source : https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=11997&Mode=0

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