S. Korea to allow consultant service by foreign law firms

SEOUL, March 3 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill that
allows law firms from the U.S. and other countries with free trade agreements
with South Korea to set up local branches to provide legal consulting services
here, officials said.
The bill will allow foreign attorneys with a minimum of three-years work
experience to provide consulting services related to laws, the Ministry of
Justice said. Legal representation of clients, however, will be banned.
Foreign attorneys doing consulting work in South Korea will be required to stay
in the country a minimum of 180 days per year. They will also need to gain
approval from the Justice Ministry to work in the country and be registered with
the Korean Bar Association.
South Korea currently has free trade agreements with Chile, Singapore, and the
European Free Trade Association. A free trade deal with the United States is
awaiting parliamentary ratification. Seoul is also seeking similar trade deals
with the European Union, Canada, India and Mexico.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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