New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) The Bar Council of India (BCI), the only statutory body authorised to monitor and supervise the legal profession and education, today strongly opposed the entry of foreign lawyers and law firms in the country.

A press statement issued by BCI Chairman Jaganath Patnaik categorically said that nobody else is authorised to make any statement regarding the legal profession and education. Mr patnaik also made it clear that All India Bar Association, a private association of lawyers, has no authority to make any statement regarding the entry of foreign lawyers in the country.

BCI, representing about one million lawyers in the country, also refuted the statement issued on behalf of a London based Law Society which suggested that the foreign lawyers can be permitted to practice in India on reciprocal basis.

The Council has issued a stern warning that anyone making unauthorised statement shall be liable for disciplinary action.

BCI statement was issued to clear the confusion created by an article published in a leading English daily on March 9, 2007.

Majority of State Bar Councils including the Delhi Bar Council are also against the entry of foreign lawyers in the country.

UNI