India’s top competition regulator, the Competition Commission of India, has been leading the charge to modernise the country’s laws to bring them in line with India’s ever-evolving digital business environment.

SGBS Unnati Foundation, a Bengaluru-based not-for-profit organisation (NPO), became the first such entity to be listed on India’s social stock exchanges (SSE) just a year after the authorities allowed for such listings in order to promote a transparent and credible way for NPOs to raise funds

The year gone by was a big one for the Indian legal market. The market opened to international law firms and disruptive technology-based tools and practices. More lawyers set up specialised firms, and in-house counsel got a lot more sophisticated. Continuous regulatory reforms promised new work as transactional lawyers looked to adapt to a global slowdown and a funding winter. Law firms say that 2024 will bring more investment in in-house capabilities, adoption of technology, focus on new laws like data privacy, and increase of sectoral and business knowledge. 

India has experienced a record year in terms of patent filings and grants as per the latest international and government indicators, signalling an increase in innovation-driven growth in the country, and a rise in demand for technically savvy lawyers.

During a technological revolution, the legal industry plays a pivotal role in ensuring continuous innovation by protecting intellectual property. In this context, two prominent intellectual property lawyers in the country shed light on the unique challenges faced by India’s IP market, providing insights into how their practice is navigating the growing challenges of IP protection in the digital age. 

The pandemic might be (almost) over, but the sense of unease remains strong in Asia’s legal industry. While life might have returned to normal, and supply chains appear back on track, the region is continuing to experience uncertainty over slowing global economic momentum, tightening monetary policy affecting credit growth, and lingering concerns about inflation. China’s seemingly irreversible economic decline is also hanging heavy.

Indian law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas has advised BNP Paribas in relation to its exit from brokerage unit Sharekhan Group by way of a 100 percent stake sale to Korean investment banking and brokerage firm Mirae Asset Group for $370 million.

Indian law firm Trilegal has continued to bolster its ranks, adding tax attorney Dhruv Gupta as a partner from Lumiere Law Partners in New Delhi.

Khaitan & Co, India's largest law firm by headcount, has established two new offices in Western India. It has opened an office in Ahmedabad after luring back projects finance lawyer Atman Desai from Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and one in Pune.

Indian law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas has advised India’s Aster DM Healthcare on the sale of its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) business for $1 billion to a consortium led by UAE sovereign-owned private capital firm Fajr Capital and Affinity Holdings, a company held by Aster’s promoters.