An interesting piece published in ALB on Monday…
They reveal that reports of an impending regulatory crackdown on unregistered foreign lawyers are incorrect, according to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA).
ALB writes:
Media reports began circulating last week after a letter was issued by JFBA reminding local law firms of existing regulatory requirements of foreign lawyers who intend to conduct legal services needing to register with the bar.
Shiro Yanagi, deputy secretary general of the JFBA, said that the letter was a reminder only and not intended to foreshadow changes to the regulatory system. Some observers had predicted that all foreign lawyers, regardless of position, would now be required to register.
However, not all firms were swayed by this. Tokyo-based registered foreign attorney, Bonnie Dixon of Atsumi & Partners, described the reaction as "overstated": "[The letter is] a reminder of the limitations on legal services that non-registered people can handle. I’m not aware of any enforcement actions, and my own firm has always been careful to adhere to the regulations to the best of our understanding of them," she said.
Similarly, a Tokyo-based managing partner of an international law firm said that the letter was a request to firms to keep in line with regulatory requirements, and that the Bar did not identify any specific problems that needed to be addressed under current law firm practice.
See full report at http://asia.legalbusinessonline.com/news/breaking-news/japan-no-crackdown-on-foreign-lawyers-says-bar-association/33713
