Indian Legal Counsel for Clients Abroad & Foreign Nationals in India
Legal Opinions · Powers of Attorney · Immigration & Travel Restrictions · Foreign Judgments & Awards
For individuals and companies outside India who need an advocate in India, and for foreign nationals living or working in Bangalore. Advice and documentation are handled remotely, in English, by video conference and email; where a matter must go to court in Bangalore or to the High Court of Karnataka, it is conducted here by Advocate Partha Sarkar.
Matters Accepted
- ▸Indian-law opinions and document review
- ▸Powers of attorney executed abroad
- ▸Visa, FRRO, OCI and Look Out Circular disputes
- ▸Enforcing foreign judgments and awards
- ▸Inheritance of assets in India
Based at
Bangalore, India · Consultations across time zones by appointment
Non-Litigation Work, Handled Remotely
Much of what a client abroad needs from an Indian advocate never reaches a court: a clear written view of the Indian law, documents that will be accepted in India, and someone to act on their behalf here.
Legal opinions on Indian law
Written opinions for individuals, companies and foreign counsel — on contracts with Indian parties, rights in a pending Indian dispute, or how an Indian court is likely to approach a question.
Powers of attorney & affidavits
Drafted in India for execution abroad, with guidance on notarisation and apostille under the Hague Apostille Convention (to which India is a party) or attestation at the Indian mission, so the document is accepted when it arrives.
Representation without travel
Appearing in Bangalore courts and before the High Court of Karnataka on the client's authorisation, with applications for video appearance where personal attendance can be dispensed with.
Inheritance of assets in India
Succession certificates, probate and letters of administration for bank deposits, securities and shares left in India by a parent or relative, for heirs living abroad.
When a Foreign National in Bangalore Faces a Legal Problem
Bangalore is home to a large international community of professionals, students and families. A legal problem in an unfamiliar system — often with a visa, a passport or a flight home at stake — needs to be dealt with quickly and in plain English.
Visa, Registration, OCI & Exit Disputes
The entry, stay and exit of foreigners is now governed by the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which replaced the Foreigners Act, 1946 and related statutes, together with the rules and orders made under it; registration matters in Bangalore are handled by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Disputes arise over overstay and exit permission, refusal or curtailment of a visa, notices to leave India, and blacklisting. For Overseas Citizens of India, Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955 governs cancellation of OCI registration, which ordinarily requires a reasonable opportunity of being heard. Adverse orders can be challenged before the High Court of Karnataka.
Overstay and exit permission
Notices to leave India and blacklisting
OCI cancellation proceedings
Writ petitions in the High Court
Look Out Circulars & Travel Restrictions
A Look Out Circular — often issued at the instance of an investigating agency, a bank or a complainant in a commercial or matrimonial dispute — can stop a person at the airport without warning. Because it restricts the fundamental right to travel abroad, an unjustified or disproportionate circular can be challenged before the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution. Where criminal proceedings are pending, applications to the trial court for permission to travel and for release of an impounded passport are usually needed as well.
Challenges to Look Out Circulars
Permission to travel abroad during a case
Release of impounded passports
Anticipatory bail before travelling to India
Criminal, Employment & Personal Disputes
Foreign nationals in Bangalore may face a police complaint, a senior employment or severance dispute with an Indian employer, a fraud — including an online fraud — or a family dispute. Each is handled under the same law that applies to an Indian citizen, but with added consequences for the person's visa, passport and ability to leave the country, which shape the strategy from the outset.
Bail and defence in criminal complaints
Senior executive employment and severance disputes
Victims of fraud and cyber fraud
Marriage, divorce and custody across borders
Cross-Border Disputes & Enforcement in India
A judgment or award obtained abroad is of little use until it can be enforced against assets in India. A money decree of a superior court in a country notified as a reciprocating territory under Section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 — such as the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates — can be executed in India as if it were an Indian decree, subject to the exceptions in Section 13. A judgment from a non-reciprocating country, such as the United States, requires a fresh suit in India founded on it. Foreign arbitral awards made in a New York Convention country notified by India are enforced under Sections 47 to 49 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and can be refused only on the narrow grounds in Section 48.
India is also a party to the Hague conventions on the service of documents abroad and the taking of evidence abroad, which govern how foreign proceedings are served on, and evidence is taken from, parties in India.
Execution of foreign decrees (Section 44A)
Suits on judgments of non-reciprocating countries
Enforcement of foreign arbitral awards
Recovery of dues from Indian companies
How a Matter Is Handled for a Client Abroad
The practice accepts a limited number of international matters at a time, so that each receives the advocate's personal attention. This is a general outline, not a commitment as to timing or outcome.
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STEP 01
Video consultation
Arranged at a time that suits your time zone, to understand the matter and the documents.
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STEP 02
Written terms
A written engagement letter setting out the scope of work, with professional fees agreed at the outset.
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STEP 03
Documents and authority
Documents by email; any power of attorney executed abroad and sent to India, with originals only where required.
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STEP 04
Action and updates
Advice, drafting or court work in India, with written updates after each significant step.
Frequently Asked
Do I need to travel to India to deal with a legal matter there?
Usually not. Advice and documentation are handled by video conference and email. Where a signature or appearance is needed in India, a power of attorney executed abroad — notarised and apostilled in a country that is party to the Hague Apostille Convention, or attested by the Indian mission — generally allows a representative to act, and courts permit appearance by video in appropriate cases.
Can a foreign court judgment be enforced in India?
A money decree of a superior court in a country notified as a reciprocating territory under Section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 — such as the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates — can be executed in India as if it were an Indian decree, subject to the exceptions in Section 13. A judgment from a non-reciprocating country, such as the United States, cannot be executed directly; a fresh suit must be filed in India on the basis of that judgment, within the limitation period.
What is a Look Out Circular and can it be challenged?
A Look Out Circular is an instruction to immigration authorities, issued on the request of an investigating agency or other authority, to stop or report a person at a port of exit or entry. It is issued under executive guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Because it restricts the fundamental right to travel abroad, an unjustified or disproportionate Look Out Circular can be challenged before the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution.
Can an OCI card be cancelled?
Yes. Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955 allows the Central Government to cancel Overseas Citizen of India registration on specified grounds, including registration obtained by fraud and violation of the Act or other laws. The cardholder must ordinarily be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard, and a cancellation order can be challenged before the High Court.
Request a Consultation
Please send a WhatsApp message or an email with a short description of the matter, your country and your time zone. Consultations are by appointment, by video conference. An enquiry does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
Informational only, per Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules. No solicitation of work is intended.