EXPLAINER: Why the DCB’s ex-ante approach may not be right to address Big Tech concerns
In March, the Committee on Digital Competition Law in India released its report, which included the draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024 (DCB). However, the proposed regulatory approach envisioned in the DCB is raising more concerns than it aims to alleviate. Legal experts and policy groups say it increases compliance, stifles…
FEATURE: Type C for Tech
Indian law firms have been reluctant to invest in legal technology. However, with the advent of precise AI-based technologies and an increasingly competitive market, embracing legal technology is no longer an option but a necessity.
IN HOUSE INSIGHT: The In-House Counsel’s Role in Fundraising
In the dynamic landscape of the private equity and venture capital sector, the role of an in-house counsel extends far beyond mere advisory duties and handling negotiations during the investment stage.
Death of a Tribunal: How India's NCLT Fades in Influence
Lack of judicial capacity, incompetency, and frivolous litigation in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) have led to decreased values and increased timelines for debt recovery under India’s bankruptcy code, driving financial creditors and prospective debt buyers away from India’s foremost stressed asset resolution scheme.
IN-HOUSE INSIGHT: ESG and a GC’s Role in Encouraging Sustainable Business Practices
Over the past few years, businesses are increasingly gaining a conscience regarding the need to address sustainability-related issues. Owing to this newfound corporate awakening, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives have slowly transitioned from being beneficial add-ons to becoming business imperatives. ESG has become a focal point for investors, customers, suppliers, commercial partners, regulators, and other key stakeholders in the supply chain. Earlier this year, a report published by Morgan Stanley revealed that more than three-quarters of global investors are interested in sustainable investing, and believe that strong ESG practices can lead to higher financial returns.
Q&A: ‘This partnership aims to strengthen ties and promote legal cooperation’
Ajit Mishra is the founder and chair of the UK-India Legal Partnership (UKILP), which aims to bring about networking and closer ties between lawyers in the two countries. He explains his reasons behind setting up the UKILP, talks about why most UK law firms prefer to run their India desks from Singapore and Dubai instead of opening offices in India, and the industry view from within the country about the liberalisation of the legal market.
EXPLAINER: Disney-Reliance Media Mega-Merger Faces Antitrust Scrutiny
The proposed stock and cash media and entertainment mega-merger between Disney’s India business and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance’s media unit Viacom18 is now in its final stages, with antitrust due diligence reportedly underway.
FORUM: Listen to the Client
A Thomson Reuters Market Insights research report has revealed that law firms conducting formal client feedback programs can earn nearly twice the share of a client’s external legal spend compared to those not engaging in feedback. Client feedback plays a pivotal role in helping law firms evaluate their performance, improve service quality, build strong client relationships, and differentiate themselves in a competitive Indian legal market.
Time Is Money
For decades, timesheets have been the bane of junior lawyers, as law firms almost uniformly use them to track productivity. But recent moves are seeking to make them less burdensome – as well as incentivise lawyers to complete them.
Law in the Time of Robots
Even as generative AI sweeps the globe, Indian law firms have been slow to embrace it. Those that have done, though, are encountering lower costs and shorter turnaround times. But as with any new technology, it’s critical that firms move carefully.