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Indian Firm Sues Bar Council over Crackdown on Global Law Firm Alliances
21 Aug
Summary
- Dentons Link Legal takes legal action against Bar Council of India
- Firm argues BCI's actions are unconstitutional and violate natural justice
- BCI claims Dentons-Link Legal alliance is "unauthorized and impermissible"
On August 21, 2025, the Indian law firm Dentons Link Legal has taken legal action against the Bar Council of India (BCI), challenging the regulator's recent public statement and show-cause notice that denounced the firm's alliance with global legal giant Dentons.
The petition, filed before the Delhi High Court, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Indian legal regulators and firms pursuing international affiliations. Dentons Link Legal has argued that the BCI's actions are "without jurisdiction, a violation of natural justice, and a violation of the petitioners' fundamental rights."
The BCI had alleged that the Dentons-Link Legal alliance was "unauthorized and impermissible" under its 2023 rules governing foreign law firms. In response, Dentons Link Legal has sought to quash the amended rules, calling them arbitrary, unconstitutional, and discriminatory. The firm maintains that its structure complies with the Advocates Act and does not require registration as a foreign or hybrid law firm.
The Delhi High Court has now directed the BCI not to take any final decision on the show-cause notice until the next hearing, scheduled for the coming weeks. The court has also asked the BCI and the Union ministry of law and justice to explain how the press release naming Dentons Link Legal was issued.
