The Legal 500

The ‘excellent’ Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co represents domestic and international clients in litigation before the courts and sector-specific administrative agencies in India, and handles a large volume of international and domestic arbitration proceedings. The disputes team in New Delhi was strengthened by the promotions of Ruchi Mahajan and Jasleen Oberoi in May 2012. Senior partner Pallavi Shroff heads the competition practice, which has successfully represented international giants such as GE, Nestlé and Suzuki Motor Corporation in various international arbitrations, as well as large Indian corporates such as ONGC Videsh and Videocon.

J Sagar Associates provides ‘excellent service’ through its New Delhi office, which handles the majority of the firm’s contentious work. Headed by Amar Gupta, the team represents a diverse international and domestic client base in litigation and arbitration matters, with dedicated regulatory and policy, telecoms, securities, taxation and competition law practice groups. The firm recently represented a multinational asset management company in disputes arising out of share purchase agreements entered into with potential investors.

New Delhi-based Karanjawala and Company is a market-leading litigation firm with more than 60 lawyers, giving it the necessary resources to handle the full range of litigation matters for high-profile corporates. It has strengthened its focus on Supreme and High Court matters, with newly promoted partner Meghna Mishra heading the New Delhi High Court practice.

‘One of the most capable litigation law firms in India’, Kachwaha & Partners’ dispute resolution practice is a clear leader. The firm handles a large volume of disputes, with recent work including representing the PICO Group in a civil arbitration claim by the Organising Committee of the Delhi Commonwealth games regarding construction works handled by the group. Sumeet Kachwaha is a ‘highly qualified litigator’, and the ‘organised and very responsive’ Dharmendra Rautray has ‘extensive experience in handling international commercial arbitrations’. Senior associate Tara Shahani is also recommended for her ‘proficient and diligent work’.

As one of the oldest firms in India, the ‘excellent’ Khaitan & Co. has a long track record in litigation. As well as traditional areas such as corporate, banking and IP disputes, the firm has also been involved in the growing sectors of competition and environment. Sanjeev Kapoor led the firm’s representation of Lafarge Umiam Mining before the Supreme Court, which concerned forest and environmental clearances granted to Lafarge Umiam Mining in relation to a mining lease granted to the client for a cross-border project between Bangladesh and India. Ajay Bhargava and Gauri Rasgotra are also recommended.

Luthra & Luthra is cited as ‘one of the best firms’ and ‘excellent on all counts’. It focuses on handling disputes for its extensive corporate client base, and is able to draw on an extensive team to represent clients in contentious matters in a range of sectors, including IP and competition. Recent work includes representing an international conglomerate in a $275m dispute relating to construction and installation of certain offshore platforms. Other highlights included representing a telecoms major in ICC arbitration proceedings held in Singapore and London. The ‘knowledgeable’ HS Chandoke is recommended.

P H Parekh & Co is recognised as an important name in New Delhi for dispute resolution, and is best known for its Supreme Court work. ‘Distinguished’ name partner Pravin H Parekh is president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

Although best known for its transactional expertise, AZB & Partners is a full-service firm with the resources to handle a number of complex commercial and financial disputes. The firm represents an extensive international and domestic client base.

Agarwal Law Associates has expanded its practice to include corporate legal services, but is primarily recognised for its dispute resolution capabilities and in particular litigation at the High Court and Supreme Court, where it is currently representing a number of high-profile companies. Mahesh Agarwal is recommended.

Bhasin & Co handles contentious matters for a number of high-profile clients, and is particularly active within the aviation sector. It also handles employment matters, where the firm has represented both private and public sector companies in labour disputes before tribunals and courts.

Dua Associates handles disputes across a range of industry sectors, with particular strength in energy matters. The firm has continued to develop its strength in arbitration since the opening of its Singapore office in 2010. Neeraj Sharma is the key partner in New Delhi.

Economic Laws Practice’s New Delhi based dispute resolution practice is led by Tarun Gulati, who was promoted to partner in 2012. As well as a dedicated tax litigation team, the firm also handles commercial and corporate disputes for its growing international and domestic client base. Work highlights included successfully representing a US-based corporation in an arbitration concerning invocation of performance guarantees.

Managing partner Jitendra Mohan Sharma heads the dispute resolution practice at JM Sharma & Co, which focuses principally on appellate litigation in the Supreme Court and the High Court. The firm also has a growing arbitration and ADR practice, and was a founding member of the Supreme Court mediation centre. It is representing several investors who invested in the Speak Asia scheme, which was one of the largest ponzi schemes of 2011.

K. R. Chawla & Co has a long track record representing clients in trials and appeals, where it has built up a good reputation.

Kochhar & Co is an ‘excellent firm’ with a ‘deep understanding of laws and legislation’ and a ‘sound ability to understand the client’s business and organisation’. It is particularly known for handling corporate, tax and IP litigation and arbitration matters for foreign entities with businesses in India. The ‘outstanding’ Syed Naqvi has a ‘sound understanding of labour and employment laws’, and is ‘committed to clients’. Kapil Arora has ‘excellent negotiation skills’, and is strong in real estate matters.

Link Legal has a solid dispute resolution practice, with managing partner Atul Sharma and Milanka Chaudhury singled out. They are representing Repower Systems in its arbitration with Essar Wind Powers before the Zurich Chamber of Commerce in relation to issues concerning the licensing contract established between the two companies.

O.P. Khaitan & Co. Solicitors and Advocates’ dedicated dispute resolution practice covers the spectrum of litigation matters, and has also developed a good arbitration and ADR practice.

P & A Law Offices has a significant presence in the market, and handles an ever-growing amount of disputes across a range of areas. The firm is particularly strong in IP, securities, and the burgeoning area of competition law.

As one of the oldest practices in New Delhi, Rajinder Narain & Co. Legal LLP has a number of long-term clients that seek it out for tax, consumer and corporate litigation matters. The firm also handles international arbitration, and has advocates on record at the Supreme Court of India.

The ‘extremely responsive’ S&R Associates’ ‘most impressive feature is the strength of their consistently high-quality associates’. Recent work includes representing a leading multinational infrastructure development company in a commercial arbitration arising from a dispute with a government company. Niti Dixit is a leading partner in the area and leads the majority of the firm’s significant litigation matters. Rajat Sethi is also recommended.

Seth Dua & Associates is ‘responsive’ and has a ‘good understanding’ of the Indian system. Senior partner Atul Dua is advising Foster’s Group on tax issues, and also represented it in a writ petition before the Delhi High Court challenging the ruling given by the Authority for Advance Ruling. Taru Gupta is also recommended.

Singhania & Partners focuses on commercial litigation, and is praised for its ‘timeliness, knowledge and advice’. Vikas Goel co-heads the team, which recently represented Ricoh India in several contentious matters spanning the High Courts, Foreign Exchange Appellate Board, consumer forums and arbitration tribunals.

Titus & Co excels at representing foreign corporates in commercial disputes, and has developed good relations with a number of Italian companies, which it represents in corporate and criminal matters. The firm is currently advising the Italian government in criminal proceedings against two marines. Other clients include Red Bill, Knorr-Bremse and Sapient. Abhixit Singh is recommended.

The ‘dynamic’ Trilegal is building a strong name for itself for its track record in a broad range of corporate and commercial disputes for both international and domestic clients. Sitesh Mukherjee is singled out for his wealth of experience, and represented National Energy Trading Services, the electricity trading arm of the Lanco group, in a case regarding compensation payable on account of alleged breach of contract.

As a leading IP firm, Anand and Anand handles all related contentious matters for clients, including copyright, trade mark and patent disputes. Managing partner Pravin Anand is recommended.

Full-service firm Chitale & Chitale Partners fields a solid litigation practice that is noted for its expertise in competition and antitrust disputes. Managing partner Suchitra Chitale is a key contact.

DSK Legal’s New Delhi litigation group handles a broad range of disputes. Ravi Prakash has extensive experience in commercial litigation and arbitration, and particular expertise in the power sector. Balbir Singh handles tax litigation.

The ‘excellent’ HSA Advocates is particularly strong on projects-related disputes. It also recently represented SEPCO in an international commercial arbitration in Singapore against Sterlite Energy. Meenakshi Arora is recommended.

Jafa & Javali handles a steady flow of contentious matters for predominantly international clients. Kirit Javali heads the disputes practice and splits his time between New Delhi and Bangalore. In recent work the firm represented PK Resorts before the Delhi High Court Arbitration Centre in a dispute concerning its business conducting agreement with Barista Coffee Company.

LexCounsel has a ‘thorough, professional approach’. It represented the Depa group in its recovery proceedings against five different companies engaged in the construction of international premium luxury hotels for dues payable for interior work and material supplied by the client. The firm also continues to represent a number of retail clients in service tax matters. Alishan Naqvee is recommended.

The ‘excellent’ Tuli & Co is best known for its market-leading insurance practice, which encompasses insurance-related disputes. Neeraj Tuli is recommended for his ability to ‘make his clients feel comfortable and assured of a satisfying outcome’.

Brus Chambers, Advocates & Solicitors’ primary office is in Mumbai, but the New Delhi team frequently work on litigation and arbitration matters. Subrat Kulshrestha leads the New Delhi office and his practice is focused on projects, which includes disputes.

With several offices across India, as well as in London and New York, Singhania & Co has the capacity to handle a significant number of commercial disputes across a range of industry sectors.