VIETNAM

Foreign Lawyers to Be Restricted: Government officials plan to restrict the activities of foreign lawyers operating in Vietnam, according to documents issued last week by the Ministry of Justice. All foreign law firms must apply immediately for a branch office license, according to a circular published by the ministry. Under the new regulations, foreign lawyers will be barred from providing legal advice on Vietnamese law; writing joint-venture contracts or other legal documents, and hiring Vietnamese lawyers. The circular said legal opinion on the laws of Vietnam must be provided by Vietnamese lawyers. Foreign lawyers are disappointed with the rules.