INDIAN LAW FIRMS
Why the Digital Competition Bill has started a polarising debate in the tech industry
India’s Digital Competition Bill has turned previous foes in the tech industry into unlikely allies and sparked a polarising debate on market practices. The Committee on Digital Competition Law (CDCL) on February 27, submitted its report to the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) after working on it for more than a year.
Indian law firm SNG & Partners collaborates with Singapore-based ESG firm Snowkap
Mumbai-headquartered law firm SNG & Partners has partnered with Snowkap, a Singapore-based ESG firm, to support global organizations in their sustainability journey. Led by chairman Rajesh Gupta, SNG & Partners has analyzed over 4,000 ESG data points from Indian laws, integrating with Snowkap's capabilities. Co-founders Rajesh Patel and Giri Krishnaswamy highlight the transformative impact of this alliance on reshaping ESG commitments.
Use of black money law retrospectively unconstitutional: High Court
In a landmark ruling, the Karnataka High Court has struck down the retrospective application of the Black Money Act, 2015, protecting individuals from prosecution for foreign assets closed before the law's enactment. This decision, invoking Article 20 of the Constitution, emphasizes that one cannot be punished for actions that were not illegal at the time. The ruling sets a crucial precedent, offering significant relief to many wealthy Indians and business families targeted by the law.
Defer implementation of 3 new criminal laws: Congress to Govt
The Opposition party sought to justify its latest demand ahead of the first session of the new Lok Sabha next week by arguing that the legislations - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 - were passed in the Parliament without proper debate when a lot of opposition members were under suspension.
Defer implementation of new criminal laws: Jairam Ramesh
"On Dec 25 2023, the President of India had given her assent to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023,the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. The three far-reaching Bills had been bulldozed through Parliament without proper debate and discussion, and at a time when 146 MPs had been suspended from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha," Ramesh said.
UK law firm Ashurst names Kalpana Unadkat and Shishir Mehta co-heads for India practice
UK-based law firm Ashurst appoints Kalpana Unadkat and Shishir Mehta as co-heads of their India practice in London, reflecting the firm's commitment to investing in India's growing market.
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MeitY meets firms to review concerns on Digital Competition Law
Indian policymakers discussed the impact of the proposed Digital Competition Bill on data and digital markets at the MEITY meeting with industry representatives. Stakeholders had differing opinions on the regulations, with some supporting its provisions while others raised concerns about deterred investments.
India's EU-like antitrust law worrying technology firms
India's proposed antitrust law, influenced by a panel report, targets tech giants with global turnovers exceeding $30 billion. The law aims to prevent market concentration, similar to the EU's Digital Markets Act.
ET Circle: Cyril Shroff’s time-honoured lessons in law, legacy, and leadership and crafting timeless institutions
In this episode of the ET Circle multimedia series, discover what differentiates leading a legal services firm compared to a conventional business, the significance of a value system for building institutions that outlive physical assets, and enduring leadership lessons that blend the purity of purpose with resilience, the spirit to absorb adversities, and the vision to lead with empathy. Learn these invaluable insights from none other than Cyril Shroff, the Managing Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, a legal services firm with a rich heritage spanning over a century.
Prosus stake in Byju’s worth zero: HSBC
This comes at the time of Byju's controversial $200 million right issue at 99% discount to its peak valuation of $22 billion, meaning any investor not investing in the rights issue will see its holding wiped off.
Law Firm SAM & Co’s Partners Iqbal Khan and Ambarish to Join JSA with 20-Member Team
Iqbal Khan and Ambarish from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co are moving to J Sagar Associates with their team. The move will enhance JSA's PE and M&A practice, as stated by Amit Kapur and Vivek K. Chandy.
How an Israeli firm tried to build anti-BJP narrative during polls
OpenAI claims to have disrupted an AI-based covert operation launched by an Israeli firm that allegedly peddled anti-BJP agenda. In 2021, the BJP government drew flak after Israeli spyware Pegasus was allegedly used to snoop on journalists, Opposition leaders and rights activists
Adopting global standard, infra, risk-based regulation to help India improve quality of goods for exports: GTRI
The GTRI also recommended support to SMEs, avoiding quality control orders becoming non-tariff barriers, regulatory impact assessment, developing globally acceptable standards and inking mutual recognition pacts with trading partners to strengthen India's quality systems.
Modi plans post-election reforms to rival Chinese manufacturing
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning business-friendly measures if he secures a third term, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing by easing labor regulations, offering subsidies, and reducing import taxes. Modi's vision includes creating industrial zones to attract global firms, but challenges remain with restrictive labor laws, land acquisition, and high import tariffs. His reelection campaign emphasizes economic development and positioning India as a manufacturing hub.
Indian AI firms may face extra costs as EU’s AI Act kicks in
The European Union wrapped up approval of the world's first law governing AI development last week. This legislation takes a tiered approach, setting varying compliance timelines and regulations based on the potential risk each AI system poses. Generally applicable AI will have a year to comply, while high-risk systems get up to three years.
Timely rescue of firms pushes IBC recovery to 49%
Creditors in India have been able to recover nearly half of their claims under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) when the resolution is completed within the 330-day deadline. However, delays have lowered the proportion of money recovered. The IBC was introduced eight years ago and has been the most challenging to address due to litigation-related holdups. Experts have called for amendments to the IBC to address this issue.
IT firms trim bench strength; GCCs focus on compliance
Happy Thursday! The country’s top IT firms have seen a massive drop in their bench strength, i.e. employees not on active projects. Find out why and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Google, Amazon, Apple lobby group opposes India's EU-like antitrust proposal
India is drafting a new competition law to target big digital firms, with a U.S. lobby group urging a rethink to avoid potential business impacts.
Visa fee hike hits IT cos; Airport cab fares set to rise
Happy Friday! The hike in H-1B visa fee will hurt IT service companies severely, experts have warned. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Steep H-1B fee hike to burn a big hole in IT companies pockets
The steep hike in US H-1B visa fees could spell bad news for Indian IT service providers and dent their pockets significantly, experts and industry insiders have warned.
Indian crypto investors take illegal routes to avoid tax burdern
Peer-to-peer trading through escrow services on banned crypto exchanges has increased five times during weeks of high trading volume in March and April, according to a study conducted by Delhi-based policy think tank Esya Centre.
Global debt crisis impacting nearly 95 countries: G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant
G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant emphasized the challenges posed by the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East for global stability and economics. He stressed the need for urgent action to pursue inclusive and sustainable growth strategies in the face of a global debt crisis affecting nearly 95 countries, while maintaining focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
From boardrooms to law firms: General counsels eye law firm opportunities
A recent survey of 300 general counsels and legal heads of companies has revealed that 43% of respondents are interested in career opportunities at law firms. The survey highlights a preference for stability among respondents, with many looking at law firm opportunities as retirement approaches or in the absence of in-house growth prospects. This trend is underscored by recent high-profile moves, such as former Ola Electric Mobility general counsel Sanjit Nagarkatti joining Economic Laws Practice.
NDA is already near 200 seats, on track to get past 400: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is confident that the BJP will achieve its 400-paar figure this election and says the party would win up to 200 of the 283 seats in the first three phases alone. In an interview with Rahul Tripathi and Pranab Dhal Samanta, he says that elections will be held in Jammu & Kashmir ‘according to court dates’ and opposes any reservation based on religion. Excerpts:
Non-compete clauses: Unenforceable under law, but companies love them
While Indian law is clear on the unenforceability of a non-compete clause operating beyond the term of employment, companies still include it in contracts, particularly for senior executives, as it’s seen as a soft deterrent, said Jay Parikh, partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices. Employees would rather comply than bear litigation costs and carry the burden of being sued by their previous employer.
Top law firms rule in favour of smaller cities; plan to hire local talent in Nashik, Pune, Indore, Jaipur & Chandigarh
Indian law firms are expanding beyond metros, focusing on smaller centres like Nashik, Indore, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Kochi. These firms believe that physical offices in these areas are crucial for their growing corporate and private client portfolios, as well as for cost arbitrage and client retention. Global captives of multinationals, companies in the automobile, electronics, renewable, and real estate sectors are also considering expanding their operations in these areas.
New AI law to protect Indian publishers; Navi eyes $2 billion valuation
News publishers in India have been seeking changes to the information technology rules to ensure fair compensation for the use of their content by generative AI models. The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) grouping has sent a letter and made representations to the ministries of electronics and information technology, and information and broadcasting, seeking protection from likely copyright violations by AI models, ET reported in January.
Law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas opens Middle East office in Abu Dhabi
With this development, CAM will have six offices in India and three international offices at IFSC (GIFT City) and Singapore and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in the UAE. ADGM is the international financial centre of the UAE’s capital city, Abu Dhabi. Located across Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island.
New antitrust law for large tech firms shouldn’t stifle innovation: experts
Zomato, Swiggy, Flipkart and Oyo have opposed the new regulations on digital competition proposed by a government-appointed committee. Indian companies that supported the proposal of ex-ante regulations include Paytm and MakeMyTrip, albeit with caveats.
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