ID :
21786
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 10:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/21786
The shortlink copeid
NRI lawyers demand removal of restrictions on working in UK
H.S. Rao
London, Sept 28 (PTI) U.K.-based N.R.I. lawyers have stiffly opposed the opening up of the India's legal service market unless U.K. allowed Indian lawyers to come and practice as in the case of European Union (E.U.) lawyers.
In a letter addressed to Ms Bridget Prentice, M.P.,
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, the British Indian
Lawyers Association said "We are inviting the U.K. Government
to take steps towards opening its market to Indian Lawyers, if
U.K. Government wishes India to allow U.K. Law Firms to work
in India.
"We hope that U.K. 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 U.K. Government currently imposed
restrictions (immigration and re-qualification) on Indian
Lawyers who wish to live and work in the U.K. 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.
U.K. Government should ensure that if they are truly
committed to reciprocity, then Indian Lawyers should be
granted unhindered access to the U.K. and allowed to live and
work without any restriction," the Association added.
According to the Association, present immigration policy
of the U.K. made it impossible for Indian Lawyers to come,
work and live in the U.K. "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 U.K."
The Association also cited two recent entry clearance
refusals for highly experienced Indian Lawyers who wished to
come, live and practice law in the U.K.
"With regard to revenue from taxes, U.K. Government would
benefit immensely if it reciprocates and adopts a policy of
opening doors to Indian lawyers to live and work in the U.K.,"
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. PTI HSR
London, Sept 28 (PTI) U.K.-based N.R.I. lawyers have stiffly opposed the opening up of the India's legal service market unless U.K. allowed Indian lawyers to come and practice as in the case of European Union (E.U.) lawyers.
In a letter addressed to Ms Bridget Prentice, M.P.,
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, the British Indian
Lawyers Association said "We are inviting the U.K. Government
to take steps towards opening its market to Indian Lawyers, if
U.K. Government wishes India to allow U.K. Law Firms to work
in India.
"We hope that U.K. 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 U.K. Government currently imposed
restrictions (immigration and re-qualification) on Indian
Lawyers who wish to live and work in the U.K. 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.
U.K. Government should ensure that if they are truly
committed to reciprocity, then Indian Lawyers should be
granted unhindered access to the U.K. and allowed to live and
work without any restriction," the Association added.
According to the Association, present immigration policy
of the U.K. made it impossible for Indian Lawyers to come,
work and live in the U.K. "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 U.K."
The Association also cited two recent entry clearance
refusals for highly experienced Indian Lawyers who wished to
come, live and practice law in the U.K.
"With regard to revenue from taxes, U.K. Government would
benefit immensely if it reciprocates and adopts a policy of
opening doors to Indian lawyers to live and work in the U.K.,"
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. PTI HSR
