Search results for

In its annual review of the 50 most influential people in intellectual property, Managing IP magazine has included three entrants from India – or six individuals to be precise

Law firms

In the public interest Public interest litigation (PIL) in India has been making headlines over the past few months, with critical court cases such as the 2G spectrum scandal and the recovery of black money. Their profile was guaranteed once they made their way through to the highest levels of the judiciary. With the spotlight on them, however, there have been murmurings of discontent, with some cases being labelled frivolous and general concern over courts’ willingness to hear PIL.

Competition work is increasing for law firms in India. With the merger control regulations notified and effective from June 2011, the importance of this area of practice is increasing in the country.

The notification of merger control regulations this year was a pivotal development in competition law in India. Having come into effect in June, these regulations will play a crucial role in mergers and related transactions in future. Lawyers warn however that the regulations are at a nascent stage, with a number of concerns still to be addressed

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) guidelines on structured products released in May 2011 allow for greater corporate transparency and disclosure, according to one Indian derivatives specialist.

India equity IPO issuer advisers (ranked by volume) 1/1/10 – 31/12/10 2010 2009 Mkt share change (%) Firm Rank Mkt share Volume INR (bln) Deal count Rank Mkt share Luthra & Luthra Law 1 30.5 116 8 - - - DLA Piper Singapore 2 20.4 77 1 - - - Amarchand & Mangaldas 3 15 57 14 1 76 -61 Crawford Bayley & Co 4 7.3 28 6 - - - AZB & Partners 5 5.7 22 4 - - - Fox Mandal & Co 6 4.5 17 2 - - - Khaitan & Co 7 4.2 16 6 4 2.1 2.1 S&R Associates 8 2 8 1 - - - Gide Loyrette Nouel 9 1.7 6 1 - - - Trilegal 10 1.4 5 1 - - - Rajani Associates 11 1.2 5 4 5 0.8 0.4 Udwadia & Udeshi 12 1.1 4 1 - - - Corporate Law Chambers 13 0.7 3 4 - - - ALMT Legal 14 0.7 3 1 9 0.2 0.5 JurisPrudent Consulting Partners 15 0.7 3 2 - - - J Sagar Associates 16 0.6 2 2 3 2.7 -2.1 Kanga & Co 17 0.5 2 2 10 0.2 0.3 Skadden 18 0.3 1 1 - - - Vaish Associates 19 0.3 1 1 7 0.4 -0.1 Pepper Hamilton 20 0.2 1 1 - TOTAL 100% 380 63

The Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines on credit default swaps (CDS) for corporate bonds, which will become effective from October 24 2011. This development is being viewed with measured optimism by practitioners and market commentators, with the RBI seeking primarily to manage risk rather than encourage speculation. The introduction of a CDS regime underlines the RBI’s commitment to deepening the country’s bond markets, and should be viewed as a small but meaningful step forward.

Infrastructure development is expected to be a driver for the continued growth of the Indian economy. While most of the issues in this area have been focused on obtaining funds for development, work has been continuing on all fronts. And with ambitious projects such as the Ultra Mega Power Plants planned by the government, energy production remains an important source of work for the top law firms.

Adrian Barger and Sona Princová of Barger Prekop summarise the conditions and outlook for the Slovak property market, which has emerged from the financial crisis with uncertain prospects