NRI lawyers demand removal of restrictions on working in UK
UK-based NRI lawyers have stiffly opposed the opening up of the India's legal service market.
By PTI |
LONDON: UK-based NRI lawyers have stiffly opposed the opening up of the India's legal service market unless UK allowed Indian lawyers to come and practice as in the case of European Union (EU) lawyers.
In a letter addressed to Ms Bridget Prentice, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, the British Indian Lawyers Association said "We are inviting the UK Government to take steps towards opening its market to Indian Lawyers, if UK Government wishes India to allow UK Law Firms to work in India.
"We hope that UK Government would soon take positive steps to ensure 'reciprocity' in its true sense by removing present restrictions upon Indian Lawyers," the Association said.
"We expect you to propose a mutual agreement between the two governments on reciprocal basis," it added.
It claimed that UK Government currently imposed restrictions (immigration and re-qualification) on Indian Lawyers who wish to live and work in the UK and which are in the way of reciprocal arrangement.
"Unless the restrictions on foreign lawyers, immigration and re-qualification regimes are taken up together and dealt with at the same time, there can be no reciprocity in true sense," the Association said.
UK Government should ensure that if they are truly committed to reciprocity, then Indian Lawyers should be granted unhindered access to the UK and allowed to live and work without any restriction," the Association added.
According to the Association, present immigration policy of the UK made it impossible for Indian Lawyers to come, work and live in the UK. "Indian lawyers are broadly practicing as sole individual practitioners. The immigration laws do not allow Indian lawyers/Individual Indian Lawyers to come and practice in the UK."
The Association also cited two recent entry clearance refusals for highly experienced Indian Lawyers who wished to come, live and practice law in the UK.
"With regard to revenue from taxes, UK Government would benefit immensely if it reciprocates and adopts a policy of opening doors to Indian lawyers to live and work in the UK," the Association said.
"If genuine reciprocal arrangements are made, it would definitely benefit both economies."
Ashok Sancheti, Managing Partner of Morgan Walker, solicitors firm, said "Solicitors of many English law firms have already started regular monthly visits to India and doing work sitting in hotels, making presentation and holding discussions with clients."
Practice of law is limited to Indian citizens under 1961 Advocates Act, he pointed out.
In a letter addressed to Ms Bridget Prentice, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, the British Indian Lawyers Association said "We are inviting the UK Government to take steps towards opening its market to Indian Lawyers, if UK Government wishes India to allow UK Law Firms to work in India.
"We hope that UK Government would soon take positive steps to ensure 'reciprocity' in its true sense by removing present restrictions upon Indian Lawyers," the Association said.
"We expect you to propose a mutual agreement between the two governments on reciprocal basis," it added.
It claimed that UK Government currently imposed restrictions (immigration and re-qualification) on Indian Lawyers who wish to live and work in the UK and which are in the way of reciprocal arrangement.
"Unless the restrictions on foreign lawyers, immigration and re-qualification regimes are taken up together and dealt with at the same time, there can be no reciprocity in true sense," the Association said.
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UK Government should ensure that if they are truly committed to reciprocity, then Indian Lawyers should be granted unhindered access to the UK and allowed to live and work without any restriction," the Association added.
According to the Association, present immigration policy of the UK made it impossible for Indian Lawyers to come, work and live in the UK. "Indian lawyers are broadly practicing as sole individual practitioners. The immigration laws do not allow Indian lawyers/Individual Indian Lawyers to come and practice in the UK."
The Association also cited two recent entry clearance refusals for highly experienced Indian Lawyers who wished to come, live and practice law in the UK.
"With regard to revenue from taxes, UK Government would benefit immensely if it reciprocates and adopts a policy of opening doors to Indian lawyers to live and work in the UK," the Association said.
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"If genuine reciprocal arrangements are made, it would definitely benefit both economies."
Ashok Sancheti, Managing Partner of Morgan Walker, solicitors firm, said "Solicitors of many English law firms have already started regular monthly visits to India and doing work sitting in hotels, making presentation and holding discussions with clients."
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Practice of law is limited to Indian citizens under 1961 Advocates Act, he pointed out.
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