BPOs out of Bar bodys ambit: Bench

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday said that Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies providing a wide range of customised and integrated services and functions to its customers, such as word-processing, secretarial support, transcription, proof-reading and travel desk support services, do not come under the purview of the Advocates Act or the Bar Council of India Rules. However, if any complaint is made against these BPO firms for violating the provisions of the Advocates Act, the Bar Council of India may take appropriate action, the first bench comprising Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanam said.As per the Advocates Act, advocates in other countries can practice in India if they have a reciprocal arrangement. The petitioner alleged that foreign advocates and law firms violated this stipulation. Some countries like the US, the UK and Australia don’t allow Indians to practise there. According to the Bar Council of India Rules, only a law graduate registered with it can practice in India. None else, including a foreigner, can.Yet, foreign advocates come under the guise of attending seminars and conferences and do professional work in India, the petitioner alleged.