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Entry of Foreign Law Firms: SILF  In a recent development that has sparked widespread debate in India’s legal community, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has made moves to open the doors for foreign law firms to operate in the country. While this step is seen by many as progressive and a nod toward globalization, not everyone is on the same page about the timing or method of execution. Lalit Bhasin, the President of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), expressed cautious support for the idea—but with a critical caveat. According to Bhasin, the first and most essential step should have been to amend the Advocates Act, 1961 , the foundational law governing legal practice in India. “There’s no doubt that the Indian legal profession must eventually integrate with the global legal community. But we cannot put the cart before the horse,” Bhasin said. “Amending the Advocates Act should have been the starting point. Without that, the BCI’s move seems premature.” Bhasin ...