Govt consulting legal community to allow foreign firms: Bhardwaj

New Delhi, Sept 25 (UNI) The government is consulting the country's legal fraternity on a proposal to allow foreign legal firms in India, Law and Justice Minister H R Bhardwaj said today.

''We are consulting with Society of Indian Law Firms. The next meeting will be held by October-end,'' Mr Bhardwaj told reporters on the sidelines of International Tax Conference here.

The domestic legal community is against international legal firms opening offices in the country, but the government is in favour of the move.

''I have to convice one million lawyer in the country for such proposal,'' the Minister said.

The foreign firms will operate under the limited liability partnership (LLP) model, added Mr Bhardwaj.

The proposed LLP bill allows foreign nationals to enter into limited liability partnerships, provided at least one partner should be the Indian resident.

Such partnerships can be formed for any trade, profession or occupation. The bill also seeks to allow LLPs established abroad to operate and conduct business in India.

UNI