CU Singh

The ongoing hearing of the Bar Council of India (BCI) appeal in the apex court against the AK Balaji Madras high court judgment took an interesting turn today, with Justice AK Goel suggesting to the counsel that instead of the current FIFO (fly-in and Flying Out) that had been suggested by the high court, foreign lawyers should rather stay here, and offer legal advice, to get relief from any restrictions.

The Indian judiciary has been grappling with the question of whether to permit foreign lawyers to practice in India for more than two decades. After yesterday’s hearing in the Supreme Court, it doesn’t look like any end is in sight.