WTO/international trade in India

Dua Associates

Under the leadership of New Delhi-based partner Shiraz Patodia, the international trade practice at Dua Associates has notable expertise in advising Fortune 500 companies on anti-dumping and countervailing duties, with a notable track record in seeking nil duties and appropriate remedies for foreign exporters and producers. With knowledge of corporate litigation and arbitration, Ashish Singh provides crucial support in representing clients for adequate trade remedies. Star associate Mayank Singhal advises exporters, chambers of associations, importers and user associations when trade remedy investigations are carried out. Associate Juhi Chawla has experience in appellate and writ proceedings that arise from trade investigations, and associate Divya Sharma offers added support in contentious trade matters thanks to her strength in litigation.

Practice head(s):

Shiraz Patodia; Ashish Singh

Other key lawyers:

Mayank Singhal; Juhi Chawla; Divya Sharma

Testimonials

‘Dua is one of the best Indian firms. Dua always provide us with professional and creative advice. Dua can provide competitive fee arrangement.’

‘I have worked with Shiraz Patodia for about 20 years. She is one of the best trade lawyers in India.’

‘Shiraz Patodia as the Senior Partner with her team of Ashish Singh, Partner and other associates work well as a team and deliver legally correct but practical advice.’

Key clients

Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube (Thailand) Co, Ltd

Alconix Logistics (Thailand) Ltd.

Zhejiang Dingshang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd

Zhejiang Jinxin Stainless Steel Manufacture Co., Ltd

Zhejiang Junda Steel Pipe Manufacturing Co. Ltd

Zhejiang Xintongda Special Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd

Dow Chemical Thailand Limited Dow Chemical International Private Limited

Sadara Chemical Company Dow Chemical Company Group

Longi Solar Technology Co. Ltd

Kruger Inc Canada

Government of Thailand, Agro Fiber Co., Ltd

Wisewoods Co. Ltd

Sadara Chemical Company

China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products

Suzhou Tianlu Bio-Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd

Zhongshan Belling Biotechnology Co. Ltd

Varopakorn Public Company Limited

Work highlights

  • Represented Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube (Thailand) and Alconix Logistics (Thailand) in an anti-subsidy investigation concerning the import of copper tubes and pipes from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
  • Representing Zhejiang Dingshang Stainless Steel, Zhejiang Jinxin Stainless Steel Manufacture and others in an anti-dumping investigation against imports of stainless steel seamless tubes and pipes from China.
  • Represented Dow Chemical Thailand and Dow Chemical International in an anti-dumping sunset review concerning exports of flexible polyol slabstock from Thailand.

Economic Laws Practice

A leading firm in India for international trade agreements involving several countries, Economic Laws Practice has an ‘excellent team specialising in WTO issues‘, which ‘quickly understands the client’s perspective‘. Benefiting from the leadership and experience of Suhail Nathani, the firm is equipped to provide a comprehensive offering to clients in the international trade sphere. Mumbai-based fellow practice head Sanjay Notani is a specialist in appellate litigation, representing foreign producers and exporters in the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and metals industries in anti-dumping investigations, challenging and seeking remedies for the imposition of high duties. With the support of Ambarish Sathianathan, Notani also acts for domestic corporations in pursuing anti-dumping impositions of duties. Among several notable and actively involved associates, Naghm Ghei and Harika Bakaraju routinely support the team on trade remedy investigations, WTO disputes, non-tariff barriers, trade policy advisory and licenses.

Practice head(s):

Suhail Nathani; Sanjay Notani

Other key lawyers:

Ambarish Sathianathan; Naghm Ghei; Akshay Jain; Harika Bakaraju;

Testimonials

‘ELP has an excellent team specializing in WTO issues. Very quick in providing real-time advice.’

‘They quickly understand the client’s perspective and provide various alternatives about WTO legal issues.’

‘ELP has considerable experience in the practice area of international trade law.’

Key clients

Arlanxeo Emulsion Rubber France S.A.S

Mitsubishi Corporation

Vedanta Ltd.

Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC)

Qatar Chemical and Petrochemical Marketing and Distribution Company (Muntajat) QPJPJSC

Mitsui Co., Ltd

Zeon Corporation

Confederation of European Paper Industries

Hindalco Industries Limited

Government of India

Westlake Polymers LLC

Sahara International Petrochemical Company

CEPSA Qumica Belgium N.V.

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented Japanese Steel Mills in both HR & CR investigations (anti-dumping).
  • Successfully represented a chemical association in a bilateral safeguard investigation concerning imports of PVC suspension grade resin into India from Japan.
  • Assisting the UK government in its FTA negotiation with India, working alongside a consortium of firms.

Kochhar & Co.

Kochhar & Co. routinely handles high-profile anti-dumping matters, assisting international and domestic petitioners and respondents. Reena Khair heads the Delhi office, regularly appearing in the High Court and superior courts, where she represents international exporters and domestic companies in contentious anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duty laws in India. She has recently played a major role in a landmark case in which the implementation of international trade remedies was a key outcome. Gagan Varma supports domestic and foreign corporations on their appropriate India entry strategy, often acting for clients in the manufacturing and chemical products sectors. Star associate Shreya Dahiya regularly features on the department's key matters, preparing applications on behalf of domestic industries for the imposition of anti-dumping and safeguard duties, working extensively on applications and preparing exporter questionnaire responses for key clients.

Practice head(s):

Reena Khair; Gagan Varma

Other key lawyers:

Shreya Dahiya

Testimonials

‘Reena Khair is exceptionally hardworking and diligent in her field. She values each client, understands their requirement and delivers the results seamlessly.’

‘Reena Khair has a very able team to assist her to obtain the desired results.’

‘I have had the opportunity to work with Reena Khair closely for over 25 years now and she has successfully delivered the desired results and given correct directions with her expertise in the field.’

‘Reena Khair’s methodical way of working and approach to the issue raised are very well researched.’

‘Reena Khair is a very straightforward professional to work with. She is very much available to her clients.’

Key clients

Association of Man Made Fibre Industry of India

Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Corporation

DSM Nutritional Products

Forum of Acrylic Fibre Manufacturers

Gränges Aluminum (Shanghai)

Jubilant Ingrevia

Kanematsu Corporation

All India Laminated Fabrics Manufacturers Association

SI Group

Vedanta Copper

Work highlights

  • Represented Gränges Aluminium, a Chinese aluminium manufacturer, in anti-dumping proceedings, with the Indian authorities issuing a finding of zero duties.
  • Achieved a favourable recommendation for the imposition for Reliance Industries before the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in relation to a countervailing duty investigation.
  • Represented Kanematsu, a Japan-based trading company, against investigations made by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies.

TPM Solicitors & Consultants

TPM Solicitors & Consultants represents domestic companies in the metals and chemicals industries in litigation and dispute resolution matters for the imposition of anti-dumping duties on foreign exporters. Divya Nair, A K Gupta and Namrita Raghuwanshi lead on anti-dumping and trade remedial matters. With this trio of partners, the firm ‘has a fantastic team combining both lawyers and accountants which renders them versatile and apt to deal with any issue arising in a trade defence investigation’. Among the sizeable team of lawyers and accountants, Shailesh Khandelwal and Anoushka Singh stand out as key associates supporting anti-dumping investigatory matters.

Other key lawyers:

Shailesh Khandelwal; Anoushka Singh; Aastha Gupta

Testimonials

‘Very well-coordinated group allows for the team to balance multiple deadlines and priorities both seamlessly and effectively. Great communicators that are always available to further their clients’ interests.’

‘AK Gupta is not only extremely knowledgeable of the intricacies of international trade law, but also has a creative mind to apply that knowledge in unique ways and leverage his deep rooted institutional competencies in furtherance of his client’s goals.’

‘Very experienced in international trade, especially in antidumping.’

‘Namrita Raghuwanshi works diligently and is full of knowledge regarding international trade law.’

‘Namrita Raghuwanshi is thorough and responsive. Communication with her is quick and efficient. She is capable of getting to the point extremely quickly.’

‘Aastha Gupta is brilliant, understands the legal issues in no time and is easy to collaborate with.’