India ruled out any immediate decision to allow foreign lawyers to work here in view of the reservations of the domestic legal fraternity. The Indian position was conveyed by Law Minister M Veerappa Moily to British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice Lord William Bach during their meeting. Pressing for allowLaw Minister M Veerappa Moily ing foreign lawyers to operate,Bach said they may not be given the right to appear in Indian courts but should be given permission to at least advice their Indian counterparts,especially in commercial cases,sources said. Moily told Bach that any decision could not be taken on the issue as Indian lawyers should feel confident on the issue. He said Indian law firms were apprehensive over entry of foreign law firms in the country and education on the issue was required before the Government could think further,sources added. Britain and several other countries have been seeking permission for foreign lawyers to operate in India but the legal fraternity here has been opposing it,apprehending that it would hurt their interests.
