The Gold Cup was claimed by Smash Squad, a franchise owned by Senior Advocate Sonia Mathur, with an undefeated record throughout the tournament. The winning team comprised:

• Nachiketa Vajpayee (Team Captain)
• Sparsh Duggal
• Rishabh Rela
• Pallavi Kumar
• Sanjivani Pattjoshi
• Angad Baxi

The Silver Cup went to Legal Pickle, led by Advocate Shrey Sharawat, while the Bronze Cup was awarded to Net-workers, owned by Senior Advocate Haripriya Padmanabhan. The fourth rank was secured by Lex Saviours, franchise owned by Praveen Kumar, followed by:

1. Amicus Aces – Sr. Adv. Guru Krishnakumar
2. Supreme Strikers – Sr. Adv. Rupesh Kumar
3. Pickle Pleaders – Sr. Adv. Dr. S. Muralidhar
4. Sood’s Smashers – Sr. Adv. Vivek Sood

Prizes & Partnerships

Winners were felicitated with premium pickleball gear and vouchers:

• Gold Cup Prizes:
  • HEAD Pickleball Paddles
  • Hudle Credit Voucher worth ₹6,000
  • Pickleball Balls by SERVE
• Silver Cup Prizes:
  • HEAD Paddle Grips
  • Hudle Voucher worth ₹4,500
• Bronze Cup Prizes:
  • HEAD Wristbands
  • Hudle Voucher worth ₹3,000

Justice Vidya Bhushan Gupta (Retd), Delhi High Court along with Dr. S. Muralidhar Senior Advocate, graced the opening ceremony with their presence on 24th May 2025.

Ms. Sonam Taneja, Co-founder of Hudle, graced the final occasion and awarded top three ranking teams with Hudle vouchers. 

Mr. Sacchin Puri, Senior Advocate and Vice-President of Delhi High Court Bar Association, presented the Gold Cup to the winning team.

Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, was the official Partner for LPPL: Season 1. IPA is the official National Sports Federation for pickleball in the country.

Voices from the Court

“It’s a new sport in the legal fraternity. I congratulate LawStrings Management and Mr. Malhotra for organizing this tournament, and heartiest congratulations to all the players for winning the finals.”
— Sr. Adv. Sonia Mathur, Franchise Owner, Smash Squad

“Shubham is a dear friend who organised a wonderful tournament. It’s one of the greatest feelings to be crowned as champions, while being undefeated during the entire tournament.”
— Adv. Nachiketa Vajpayee, Captain, Smash Squad

It was a splendid and unique league which introduced Pickleball in our Legal Fraternity, which is an upcoming and trending sport. The event brought together the members of the Bar and encouraged camaraderie and togetherness, which is the essence of our profession. – Divyangna Malik, Advocate, Supreme Court of India 

“LawStrings Pickleball Premier League was an unplanned blessing. After seeing a huge response, love, and support from the legal fraternity, we plan to launch LawStrings Pickleball Season 2 soon. I PROMISE, it will be even BIGGER.”
— Shubham Malhotra, Founder, LawStrings Management

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• Permitted Practice Areas: Non-litigation work under foreign or international law only. Examples include advising on foreign law aspects of M&A, joint ventures, international contracts, intellectual property, and representing clients in international arbitrations held in India (provided the arbitration involves non-Indian law). All such work must be on a reciprocal basis, i.e., only if the foreign jurisdiction equally allows Indian lawyers similar access.
• Prohibited Activities: Any litigation in Indian courts or tribunals; preparing or filing court documents for Indian proceedings; conducting conveyance/title work in India; and generally giving advice on Indian law beyond very limited circumstances. Violation can lead to suspension or cancellation of BCI registration.
• Fly‑in, Fly‑out Exception: Foreign lawyers may visit India without registration for up to 60 days per year on a “fly‑in, fly‑out” basis, but only to give advice on foreign or international law. In this scenario, they must not establish any fixed office or regular presence, and the engagement must originate from a client (in India or abroad) specifically seeking foreign-law expertise. Importantly, visitors must inform the BCI in advance and disclose client details and the nature of work. Reuters notes that under the new rules, “Any foreign lawyer or law firm shall be required to inform the Bar Council of India before its arrival in India and shall also intimate about the details of the work and its duration of its stay in India”. The total stay cannot exceed 60 days in any 12‑month period. All code-of-ethics rules still apply even to fly‑in lawyers.
• Registration Term and Renewal: Once approved, registration is valid for five years and must be renewed by applying (with fees) six months before expiry. BCI also requires a security deposit from registrants.
• Reciprocity and Indian Lawyers: Only lawyers authorised in their home country (“lawyer of primary qualification”) may register. The rules mandate proof of reciprocal treatment – essentially a statement that Indian lawyers would receive equal access in that jurisdiction. Notably, the rules also allow Indian advocates and Indian law firms to register as “foreign lawyers” or “foreign law firms” for purposes of handling foreign-law work, without forfeiting their Indian-practice rights. Indian advocates can work as partners/associates of registered foreign firms on cross-border matters, and foreign firms may engage Indian lawyers for advice on Indian law (though those Indian lawyers still cannot appear in court for the foreign firm).
  

In summary, the new BCI framework (effective immediately from 13 May 2025) opens India’s legal market in a highly regulated, reciprocal manner. Foreign lawyers may advise only on non-Indian law, must register (unless strictly flying in), and must adhere to strict practice limits. Indian lawyers, meanwhile, have the opportunity to advise on foreign and international law in partnership with foreign firms.

Registration Process and Documentation

To lawfully advise under the new regime, foreign lawyers/firms must apply for registration with the BCI under the amended Rules. The process is as follows:

• Application (Form A): File the official application form (“Form A”) as provided in the BCI Rules. The form (to be addressed to the designated BCI officer) must be submitted in duplicate, along with the prescribed registration fee, security deposit and non‑refundable processing charges. Payment may be made via bank transfer (IMPS/NEFT/RTGS/SWIFT) or other modes as specified.
• Supporting Documents: The application must include detailed supporting documentation. Key items include:
  • Legal License: A certified copy of the applicant’s authorisation to practise law in their home country (and any other jurisdictions claimed).
  • Good Standing Certificates: No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) or equivalent from the home jurisdiction’s Bar/Court confirming the lawyer is in good standing, with no pending disciplinary actions. (Similarly, certificates of active practice and fee structures are available in each relevant jurisdiction.)
  • Reciprocity Proof: A certificate or official statement from the home country authority confirming reciprocal treatment for Indian lawyers (i.e. Indian lawyers may similarly advise under foreign law in that country).
  • No Criminal Record: A notarised affidavit declaring no criminal convictions or disciplinary findings.
  • Compliance Undertakings: Declarations undertaking not to practise Indian law or litigate in India, to comply with BCI rules/ethics, and to furnish information as required.
  • Partnership Details: Information on any collaborations/partnerships with Indian lawyers or foreign law firms, as required by the Rules.
• Submission: Completed applications may be delivered in person or by courier to the BCI’s Foreign Lawyers desk, emailed to foreignregistration@barcouncilofindia.org or bci.foreign.register@gmail.com, or uploaded via the BCI’s designated online portal. All payment receipts (for fees, deposits, and processing charges) must be attached. The BCI then reviews the submission and will issue a registration certificate (or seek clarifications).
• Timeline: While the rules do not specify a strict deadline, registration ideally should be sought well before any planned extended work in India. Foreign firms often apply several months in advance. Once granted, a registration number is issued and must be quoted on any submissions. Renewal requires filing a similar application (and fee) six months prior to expiry.
  

Throughout this process, strict compliance is essential. Even after registration, the firm must keep the BCI informed of new offices or personnel in India (e.g. if opening a branch, the office address and lease documents must be submitted). The new rules even require that foreign lawyers inform the BCI before each arrival in India and report on the work and duration of each visit. Failure to comply with these formalities may result in penalties, including suspension or cancellation of registration.

How Legal Desire Can Help Foreign Law Firms

Legal Desire provides comprehensive services to enable foreign law firms to enter India with confidence under the new regime. Our team combines regulatory expertise, legal industry knowledge, and marketing skills. We can assist across all areas. 

Contact us via office@legaldesire.com to learn more about our Service Packages.

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Mr. Pfeffer is a trusted advisor to numerous global companies in the consumer products sector and advises them on their most important commercial disputes around the world. He has coordinated the defense of class action products liability lawsuits in various jurisdictions, and advised consumer product manufacturers on issues of regulatory compliance and in judicial challenges of regulation. Mr. Pfeffer also has experience working on a wide range of other legal disputes, from complex multi-national commercial matters and investment treaty law cases to international trade law disputes.

“Philip’s extensive experience in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa will be a tremendous resource for assisting our clients in managing product liability litigation and regulatory issues worldwide,” said John Majoras, who co-leads Jones Day’s Business & Tort Litigation Practice. “His arrival augments our ability to provide comprehensive defense strategies to clients facing product liability challenges. I am delighted to welcome him to Jones Day.”

At Jones Day, Mr. Pfeffer joins an acclaimed worldwide team of more than 400 experienced trial lawyers who serve clients in business and government disputes, torts and civil litigation, from pre-suit counseling through trial and appeal. He will collaborate with Jones Day litigators in New York and around the globe on product liability defense and advising on compliance strategies to mitigate legal risks associated with product manufacturing and distribution.

“Philip’s global perspective and deep understanding of product liability regimes both in the U.S. and abroad will be invaluable assets to our clients in New York and worldwide,” said Leon F. DeJulius, Jr., Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day’s New York Office. “His proven track record in managing complex litigation and regulatory matters aligns perfectly with our commitment to exceptional client service. We are pleased that he has joined Jones Day and welcome him to our team here in New York.”

Mr. Pfeffer is ranked in Chambers UK 2024 for “Product Liability: Mainly Defendant” and is recognized in Legal 500 UK 2024 as a leading individual for “Product Liability: Defendant.” He earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law and has lectured on product liability at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

“Jones Day’s Business & Tort Litigation Practice is recognized by major corporations around the world for its work on important commercial disputes that are litigated across all major jurisdictions, and the Firm is particularly renowned for its successful work on some of the most prominent product liability cases to be tried in recent decades,” said Mr. Pfeffer. “I am excited to join a global law firm with such an elite business litigation practice that is supported by a culture of seamless collaboration. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in New York and around the world.”

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The global financial regulation group has longstanding relationships around the world with institutions offering financial services, including banks, investment managers, payment firms, trading platforms and exchanges. The practice is ranked Band 1 for both contentious and non-contentious regulatory work in financial services.

Carl re-joined Linklaters in the Hong Kong office in 2022, having previously been with the firm from 2001 to 2018, and is the former Head of the firm’s Asia Financial Regulation practice. Carl has almost 25 years of experience across the Hong Kong SAR and UK markets advising a wide range of financial services clients and advises on a broad range of complex regulatory issues. Carl has been recognised by legal ratings agencies for his work in both Hong Kong and the UK.

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Funahashi advises entrepreneurs, strategic investors and buyers, venture capital funds, and private equity funds engaged in business operations in both the US and internationally. He works on a wide range of M&A and corporate finance matters, from early-stage companies raising venture capital financing to multi-billion-dollar transactions for multinational and Fortune 500 companies.

His practice focuses on technology – including AI, AR/VR, CPG, CRT, cybersecurity, digital assets, e-commerce, Esports, gaming, mediatech, fintech, renewable energy, SaaS – as well as life sciences and healthtech.

“Ken’s esteemed reputation as a skilled corporate practitioner is widely recognized, and his extensive knowledge and experience across various industries will undoubtedly benefit our current clients while attracting new ones, both domestically and internationally,” stated Andy Gilbert, US Chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate Practice.

“As we enhance our corporate capabilities on the West Coast, Ken’s addition will be critical to building out our technology, biotech, and life sciences offerings. We are pleased to welcome Ken to the firm and are excited to support him and his thriving practice,” said Angela Agrusa, Managing Partner of DLA Piper’s Los Angeles office.

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Mr. Fadale practices primarily in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, restructuring transactions, and control and non-control investments. He also counsels clients in general corporate law matters. Mr. Fadale’s experience allows him to navigate complex transactions across multiple industries and structures, including representing private equity buyers and sellers in connection with investments in the automotive, aerospace and defense, energy, financial services, manufacturing, and consumer retail sectors.

“Andrew has established relationships with leading PE sponsors, particularly those in the premier middle market and those engaged in investment in the national security space,” said Perry Shwachman, global co-leader of Sidley’s M&A and Private Equity group, and a member of the firm’s Management Committee and Executive Committee. “His practice and client base will add to and benefit from the breadth and depth of our firm’s offerings and our commitment to excellence and client service.”

“New York is a key growth area for the firm, and Andrew is a strong addition to the office,” said Nancy Chung, managing partner of Sidley’s New York office and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. “He has worked with clients across sectors and industries, and his experience complements that of other private equity partners who have recently joined the firm.”

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