India-UK Legal Services Dialogue Focuses on New Foreign Lawyer Regulations

A delegation from the Law Society of England and Wales (LSEW), led by its President Mark Evans, met Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Dr Rajiv Mani, at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi to discuss co‑operation in legal services between India and the United Kingdom against the backdrop of India’s updated framework for new foreign lawyer regulations and law firms. The interaction formed part of ongoing efforts by both sides to strengthen engagement in the legal services sector.

According to an official update posted by the Ministry of Law and Justice on its X (Twitter) handle @MLJ_GoI, the delegation called on the Department of Legal Affairs on 6 April 2026, where Dr Rajiv Mani formally welcomed the visitors on behalf of the Ministry. The Ministry’s communication records that the LSEW delegation was headed by President Mark Evans and included, among others, Ms Preeti Sawhney, International Policy Advisor (South Asia and ASEAN), reflecting the Law Society’s focus on structured engagement with India.

Dr. Rajiv Mani, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice, welcomed the delegation of LSEW led by its President, Mr. Mark Evans, during a courtesy meeting.

Courtesy call at Shastri Bhawan

The meeting took place at Shastri Bhawan, the seat of the Department of Legal Affairs and the Legislative Department under the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The Ministry’s note describes the interaction as a “courtesy call” from the Law Society of England and Wales, indicating that the engagement was part of regular institutional contact between the two sides rather than a formal negotiation round.

Nevertheless, the conversation provided an opportunity for a substantive exchange on legal services co‑operation.

Discussion on legal services and regulatory changes

In its public statement, the Ministry of Law and Justice stated that the interaction served as “a significant platform for exchanging dialogues on legal services of India and United Kingdom in the background of the amended regulations for foreign lawyers and law firms notified by the Bar Council of India, and the plan ahead.”

This situates the discussions within the context of the Bar Council of India’s revised rules for registration and regulation of foreign lawyers and foreign law firms, which were amended and brought into force in May 2025 to clarify the scope for foreign legal practice in India.

The Ministry’s description indicates that both sides used the meeting to reflect on these regulatory developments and consider how they may shape future engagement between Indian and UK legal service providers.

Dr. Rajiv Mani with Mr. Mark Evans and Ms. Preeti Sawhney during a meeting at the Ministry of Law & Justice.

Reaffirmed commitment to legal sector co‑operation

The official communication further records that both sides “reaffirmed that India and United Kingdom are committed to strengthening cooperation in the legal services sector.”

This reiteration of intent underscores the importance that New Delhi and London attach to legal services as part of the wider bilateral relationship, complementing broader dialogues on trade, investment and professional mobility.

By framing the meeting in terms of shared commitment, the Ministry’s statement signals continuity in India–UK legal co‑operation while acknowledging the evolving regulatory environment for foreign lawyers and law firms in India.