Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co’s experience advising top-end clients across a range of corporate sectors has given it a matchless grounding from which to take on the most complex cases, and is at the root of the practice’s strength. For ... [more]

Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co’s experience advising top-end clients across a range of corporate sectors has given it a matchless grounding from which to take on the most complex cases, and is at the root of the practice’s strength. For example, the firm’s dispute resolution practice was instructed by Satyam Computer Services, the alleged perpetrators of India’s largest ever corporate fraud.

Its litigators regularly appear before the Supreme High Court of India, the country’s High Courts, and tribunals and forums like the Monopolies & Restrictive Trade Practices Commission. The practice has built a successful reputation handling negotiations and advising on the avoidance of litigation, as well as for traditional representation.

Amarchand & Mangaldas’s role on the US$1.2 billion government-initiated proceedings against Satyam involved defending the company against allegations of mismanagement and approaching the Company Law Board for directions regarding loans and the raising of capital. The firm is also working with KPMG and Deloitte’s forensic accounting departments to conduct an internal investigation of Satyam.

Pallavi S Shroff heads the dispute resolution department, in which Ritu Bhalla is an active member.

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J Sagar & Associates’ strength in dispute resolution is on regulatory issues. The firm’s Regulatory and Policy practice advises governments, businesses, and industry associations on commercial and technical matters in quasi-judicial forums like the Petroleum ... [more]

J Sagar & Associates’ strength in dispute resolution is on regulatory issues. The firm’s Regulatory and Policy practice advises governments, businesses, and industry associations on commercial and technical matters in quasi-judicial forums like the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board and the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity; as well as in the country’s High Courts and the Supreme Court.

In one of the firm’s largest mandates, the firm represented Reliance Fuel Resources before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity’s Hydro Carbon Bench. In the Re500 billion (US$10.3 billion) proceedings, JSA challenged the refusal of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board to grant Reliance authorisation to build, operate and maintain gas networks in Delhi, Mumbai and the National Capital Region, and a pipeline from Kakinada to Dadri. It was the first time an appeal concerning petroleum and natural gas had been brought before the tribunal.

In April 2009, the Regulatory and Policy practice challenged the structure of the Indian electricity market on behalf of PTC India in the civil appeal of the 2007 case PTC v Gajendra Haldea & Ors. Amit Kapur chairs the Regulatory and Policy practice and led on both deals.

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Kachwaha & Partners specialises in international commercial arbitration and litigation. The firm has successfully represented major corporates, both domestic and international, on a host of issues and in front of a wide variety of courts and forums.The ... [more]

Kachwaha & Partners specialises in international commercial arbitration and litigation. The firm has successfully represented major corporates, both domestic and international, on a host of issues and in front of a wide variety of courts and forums.

The firm was mandated by ExxonMobil in a case against Bombay Dyeing, an Indian textile company. Practice head Sumeet Kachwaha gave his opinion on Indian law in front of the Court of Appeal of Singapore in relation to a forum non-convenience application, with the courts finding in favour of the oil company shortly before the suit was settled.

Kachwaha & Partners also represented Malaysian oil and gas company Ramunia Fabricators in a US$600 million tender dispute against Larsen & Toubro and ONGC. The dispute related to an offshore field development project.

Sumeet Kachwaha is the firm’s most prominent member. In 2009, he was appointed sole arbitrator on two arbitrations – relating to construction and dealership agreements – by the High Court of Delhi. Kachwaha is also a chair of the IPBA’s dispute resolution committee.

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The dispute resolution practice at Kanga & Co is particularly strong on corporate and banking matters. Also housing a strong arbitration practice, the firm’s key lawyers include AM Desai and AR Amin.

One of the oldest law firms in India, Mulla & Mulla has a broad-based practice and a diversified client base. Acting as Indian legal counsel to numerous MNCs, Fortune 500 companies and several of the large 50 Indian corporate houses, the firm offers ... [more]

One of the oldest law firms in India, Mulla & Mulla has a broad-based practice and a diversified client base. Acting as Indian legal counsel to numerous MNCs, Fortune 500 companies and several of the large 50 Indian corporate houses, the firm offers the full array of dispute resolution services. Key partners include EB Desai and DM Popat.

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The dispute resolution practice at Crawford Bayley covers the full range of services across a number of different sectors. These include intellectual property, tax and shipping. Litigator Dadi Engineer comes recommended.

Though it is more than 20 years old, Luthra & Luthra is still considered a newcomer to the Indian legal market. The firm’s dispute resolution team is gaining fast on its more established rivals, securing complex multi-jurisdictional mandates.One prestigious ... [more]

Though it is more than 20 years old, Luthra & Luthra is still considered a newcomer to the Indian legal market. The firm’s dispute resolution team is gaining fast on its more established rivals, securing complex multi-jurisdictional mandates.

One prestigious mandate came from Multi Screen Media (Singapore) PTE, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures, regarding the right to screen Indian Premier League cricket matches.

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Dubey & Partners Mid-size firm Dubey & Partners covers all forms of dispute resolution but is particularly strong for international arbitration. The seven lawyer practice is headed by partner Shashank Shekhar and recently advised Germany’s second ... [more]

Dubey & Partners

Mid-size firm Dubey & Partners covers all forms of dispute resolution but is particularly strong for international arbitration. The seven lawyer practice is headed by partner Shashank Shekhar and recently advised Germany’s second largest manufacturer of paper mills on an international arbitration matter. Other international arbitration work includes its representation of an Indian corporate operating in the oil shipment sector where the venue was in India.

International Law Affiliates

Five-partner International Law Affiliates has a thriving litigation and dispute resolution practice, which falls under  the name of Pasrich & Company and covers representation across more than a dozen Indian cities. Since 2009, the practice has been headed by Avninder Singh who is well-known for his cross-border commercial experience. Other key individuals include Pasrich & Company's founder and managing partner Amir Singh Pasrich, as well as Kalyan Arambam who focuses on property, writ and general civil work. Offering clients full service dispute resolution services, the firm has recently handled human rights cases, consumer complaints, special tribunal matters, civil suits, writ petitions and appeals.

LexCounsel

Smaller-sized Delhi firm LexCounsel has a growing reputation in the dispute resolution area, acting for clients such as Tradigrain, Educomp Solutions, PGA Trading & Shipping and Power Machines. In a key recent mandate, the firm advised SSIPL Retail and Genesis Colours, together with Satya Paul, Shobhaa De and other brands, in drafting petitions resulting in a landmark judgment from the Delhi High Court. This set aside the Government of India's levy of service tax on the renting of commercial property. The practice includes partners Alishan Naqvee, Dimpy Mohanty and Seema Jhingan, and was boosted in July 2008 by the arrival of associate Rupal Bhatia.

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