New Delhi, Aug. 5 -- The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a warning to the legal fraternity, flagging instances of unauthorised and unregistered collaborations between Indian and foreign law firms.

In a formal public circular, the BCI expressed deep concern over certain foreign legal entities entering into operational arrangements with Indian law firms without prior regulatory approval--arrangements which may amount to the impermissible practice of law in India.

According to the BCI, these combinations are often structured through Swiss Vereins, strategic alliances, joint branding exercises, or exclusive referral networks, which publicly present themselves as unified global legal platforms. The Council has made it clear that such m...