CMS IndusLaw, Dentons Link Legal hit back at BCI claim that they violated norms

CMS IndusLaw and Dentons Link Legal have responded to a recent Bar Council of India (BCI) notice flagging unauthorised collaborations or combinations between Indian law firms and foreign law firms.

The press release issued by CMS IndusLaw expresses "dismay and surprise" at the notice, adding,

"We strongly refute any imputation that rules have been breached. We are an independent Indian law firm practicing only Indian Law. CMS INDUSLAW remains fully within the bounds of all applicable rules and regulations. Our practice does not enable any foreign lawyer to practise Indian law or foreign law in India, nor any Indian lawyer to practise foreign law within India."

It goes on to state that the BCI release is based on "misconception and surmises" that the firm will address in its response.

A press statement issued by Dentons Link Legal Executive Chairman Atul Sharma and Managing Partners Nusrat Hassan and Anand Srivastava reads:

"We are an Indian registered law firm which is wholly owned, controlled and managed by Indian advocates and squarely falls under the definition of “Indian Law Firm” of the applicable Bar Council of India Rules.

Our combination with Dentons has been and continues to be fully compliant with all laws including the Advocates Act."

The BCI release dated August 5 stated that firms structured like CMS IndusLaw and Dentons Link Legal, without prior registration under the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2023 (amended in 2025), are impermissible.

"Any arrangement that creates a joint platform, uses a unified brand, involves co-branding of legal services, or results in shared client servicing without registration is in contravention of the Rules."

The BCI has also revealed that it will be sending notices to these combinations of firms, with the threat of action in case of non-compliance.

"These notices direct the parties to submit comprehensive written explanations, full documentation of the arrangements, and declarations as to the structure, operations, governance, and regulatory disclosures (or the lack thereof) within a stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply may result in action under the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Rules, including proceedings for professional misconduct, penalties etc."

Shortly after the BCI announced its amended Rules in May 2025, International law firm CMS announced that IndusLaw has become one of its member firms.

This was the second collaboration between an Indian firm and an international firm, after Dentons Link Legal was announced in May 2023.