Expertise Practice Group

Banking & Finance

LLC strives to provide sound commercial advice in this practice area by balancing legal knowledge with technical proficiency. We have built a team around lawyers who have previously worked as bankers for many years and are attuned to the various challenges in the financial sector. We are hence uniquely positioned to guide lenders and borrowers in the various legal processes. LLC has worked extensively on asset finance, funds management, corporate lending, financial regulation, securitisation (SARFAESI), real estate finance, debt restructuring and recovery, settlements, securities law, insolvency proceedings, debt capital market as well as consumer complaints against banks and non-banking financial institutions for deficiency of services. We have also advised on legal issues involving fintech products and services, digital currencies (e.g. cryptocurrencies), payment gateways, online payment platforms and net or phone banking.

Business & Commercial

LLC has a commercially focussed corporate practice geared to provide clients achieve their financial objectives. We work with a range of business clients ranging from multinational corporate houses or large conglomerates to public companies, private limited companies, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, trusts, non-profit organisations, LLPs, growing private businesses, aspiring start-ups to even sole proprietorships. Our dedicated teams can cater to clients irrespective of their size or revenues and throughout every stage of a business cycle. 

Credible corporate law advice tends to be the fulcrum for businesses to succeed both in domestic as well as global markets. Our specialist team is particularly perceptive to the commercial realities of everyday business and our unique way of handling client projects through a proficient team with Leadership Group supervision allows us to take up assignments ranging from high value business deals or complex reorganisations to even the most basic requirements like registration or incorporation of businesses.

Our work involves advising on business critical and challenging obstacles; handling intricate and multijurisdictional projects; helping negotiate contracts with vendors or suppliers; finalising strategic collaborations or joint ventures; counselling on corporate governance, funding, debt restructuring, regulatory compliance, policy making, M&A or divestitures; and representing clients in commercial dispute resolutions.Our practice recognises that clients prioritise commercially viable legal advice to help them protect business opportunities or leverage their positions to maximise profits. We integrate the cross-practice expertise of our different specialist teams to create a comprehensive legal environment for our commercial clients.

LLC holds tremendous reputation among its corporate clients for having a deep sector understanding and also for recognising the key business challenges for respective industries. Many of our larger clients need cross border and seamless commercial advice which leads us to work in close coordination with experts in various jurisdictions. We have international clients across many countries who have business needs in India and who are provided almost round the clock legal services irrespective of time zone differences.

Competition

Consumer welfare and protection are very crucial in modern business environment and competition authorities are adopting measures to examine mergers and penalise anti-competitive business practices including predatory pricing.

LLC’s competition law work involves advice on merger control, antitrust, legal compliance, regulatory guidance, cartelisation, price fixing, collusive bidding, bid rigging issues and competition litigation among others. We advise on client acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures. We focus on identifying competition law risks and advise clients on effective ways to diminish exposure.

Constitutional & Public

Public Law delves into the relationship or interaction between governments on one side and individuals, businesses or other organisations on the other side. It is crucial that governments and its various bodies, departments or agencies conduct their exercise of power in accordance with laws to ensure there are no violations, illegalities or discriminatory practice.

As public bodies are legally required to act fairly and responsibly, any decisions marred by illegality can be challenged in courts to remedy the grievances and in some instances, damages can also be awarded. Often new laws, policy decisions or regulatory changes may create unlawful hurdles which would need the services of a strong legal team to mount a vigorous challenge in legal forums. We have appeared for clients in writ petitions before the Hon'ble High Courts as well as before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. We have advised on enforcement of fundamental or legal rights under Article 226 of the Constitution of India before High Courts having appropriate jurisdictions. The Article 226 empowers the High Courts to issue directions or writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari, prohibition and quo warranto for the enforcement of fundamental or other legal rights. We have also appeared for clients in writs under Article 32 of the Constitution of India in cases of breach of fundamental rights. 

At LLC, we focus on advising clients (individuals and private sector parties) seeking constitutional remedies or judicial reviews against allegedly prejudiced policies, public body decisions, unfair regulations or laws which are ultra vires. With many businesses getting into contractual relations with the public sector, there are various instances of breach or disputes requiring appropriate adjudication in courts of law. We have also represented Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies in litigations related to decisions of governmental bodies.

Consumer

India has one of the largest consumer markets and is one of the top economies by purchasing power parity. As consumption increases, so does the need for cover against deficient services or mediocre products. With courts emphasising on consumer protection, firms increasingly find themselves defending against complaints. LLC has acted for clients before the District, State and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and even appeared for mediations before the Consumer Affairs Department. We have represented in cases involving product or service liability or breach of terms and warranties. LLC’s client portfolio includes consumers, manufacturers, retailers, service providers, academic institutions and property developers. We have had incredible success representing private buyers against real estate conglomerates. We have negotiated multi-party settlements, successfully executed decrees and helped clients win sizeable compensations.

Contract

Contracts are a crucial part of transactions for both business and private clients in every sector. It is imperative to get negotiated terms entered into writing by experts. Contractual precision may tilt the balance in business scenarios. At LLC, we focus on understanding the commercial aspects to create contracts peculiar to the needs of each transaction. Our work involves negotiations, drafting and execution. We help clients prosecute or defend claims. LLC strives to make contracts legally vigorous to mitigate risks. Our expertise involves bilateral and multilateral agreements including but not limited to joint ventures, collaborations, real estate, turnkey, manufacturing, investment, partnership, licensing, NDA, agency and distribution, marketing, tech or IP, e-contracts, outsourcing, consumer, data protection, construction, sales and procurement, employment, indemnity, franchise, service and maintenance, media, advertising, publishing, R&D and trusts.

Criminal Jurisprudence

LLC has represented private and business clients in criminal cases before District courts, High Courts and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. We have advised corporate clients’ senior management and governing body members on criminal complaints and investigations across different States in India. LLC has acted on matters related to FIR quashing, criminal complaints, bails, appeals, revisions, trials, suspension of sentence, domestic violence, IP infringements or tech law violations, corruption, criminal writs, money laundering and black money, negotiable instruments, company offences, bank frauds, dishonour of cheques, defamation, customs, narcotic and psychotropic substances and foreign exchange violations.

Dispute Resolution

At LLC, we are averse to the “one size fits all” approach and are extremely cognisant to the peculiarities of each dispute faced by clients. Our Dispute Resolution (DR) practice has three components: litigation, ADR and settlements for business and private clients which are handled by a robust in-house team supported by empanelled external Senior Counsels. LLC’s strategy is to mitigate commercial risks and seek the most plausible route and, if possible, to avoid litigation. However, sometimes litigation may be inevitable to enforce legal rights, seek compensation or implement protection. When approached, we try to identify the most viable resolution method, whether adversarial, mediation or settlement. Our DR Teams have tremendous practical experience and commercially sound insight which help us deliver outcomes in business critical disputes.

LLC manages to keep a multijurisdictional coverage through the presence of its various external affiliates across several global jurisdictions. This network allows our Indian clients to get a comprehensive seamless service when faced with disputes beyond borders. Conversely, we also have many clients referred to us by foreign experts for dispute resolution in relation to India based acquisitions, businesses or services.

LLC’s expertise traverses across sectors like real estate, mining, retail, hotel and leisure, manufacturing, technology, service, outsourcing, media and entertainment, healthcare, finance, transport, logistics and e-commerce. We have acted for clients in a wide gamut of contentious matters including but not limited to shareholder disagreements, insolvency, consumer claims, commercial litigation, breach of contract, class actions, bails, white collar crimes, writs, criminal or civil appeals, special leave petitions, revisional applications, review petitions, fraud, asset recovery, securitisation, employment, money suits, insurance or pension claims, eviction proceedings and disputes for breach of statutory, fundamental or legal rights.

Our lawyers have appeared before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, High Courts, tribunals as well as district, consumer and criminal courts. We have also been instructed in various international arbitrations and mediations. Our dispute resolution success over the years is testament to the dynamic courtroom strategies, tactical ADR techniques and persuasive advocacy skills.

E-Commerce

Electronic commerce has become increasingly vital in recent years and with technological advances happening at a rapid pace, the law governing e-commerce needs to evolve with almost equal rapidity. Thus, it becomes very important for businesses to keep up with the changes to ensure their brands are legally compliant. E-commerce models include business to business (B2B), business to consumer (B2C), consumer to consumer (C2C), consumer to business (C2B), business to administration/govt. (B2A) and consumer to administration/govt. (C2A). A few derivatives have also appeared with the introduction of smartphones and social networking platforms termed as Mobile Commerce (MCommerce) and S-Commerce (Social Commerce). In MCommerce, purchase of products or services are done directly through smartphones while S-Commerce involves online trade done through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram etc.

Businesses, irrespective of their sizes, are going online. From international powerhouses to domestic brands to even medium or smaller enterprises, everyone is exploring the e-commerce platforms. E-commerce is an essential extension of the traditional businesses and in some cases has emerged as even the primary model. With its astounding growth, it has witnessed newer regulations and accordingly significant legal issues have cropped up in regulatory compliance, health and safety, privacy, tech security, consumer law and e-contracts.

At LLC, we advise e-commerce ventures on laws related to business terms, contracts, privacy policies, cyber IP, licensing, franchising, social media challenges, data protection, outsourcing, cyber security, domain name disputes, intermediary roles, e-payments, gateways, multijurisdictional compliance among others.

Our primary focus for e-business clients is to help them identify the legal issues in their strategic objectives and to provide a robust framework for their continued growth. At LLC, we help businesses in retail, media, insurance, finance, fintech, distribution, IT and food delivery among others with legal solutions to launch their brands online in domestic or foreign markets. Now more than ever, with traditional physical businesses suffering in the face of the pandemic, digitising trade is the way forward.

Employment & HR

Our Employment & HR practice involves work on both sides of the divide. We have advised employers as well as employees /employee unions in a wide gamut of cases including pension disputes, workplace discrimination or harassment, wrongful dismissals and redundancy, whistleblowing, breach of contracts, bonus payment disputes, data breach or theft of confidential information and restrictive covenants in employee contracts.

Our primary focus is to accomplish settlements without protracted litigation. However, on some occasions, court cases become the only viable route and then our Employment & HR team work with the Dispute Resolution team to provide commercially viable legal solutions before appropriate legal forums.

We also provide comprehensive advice on employment contracts, termination notices, labour law compliance, layoff procedures and severance pay, trade unions and industrial action, employee privacy and statutory employment protection rights.

Environmental

LLC understands that many of its business clients in the modern economies have to keep an eye for climate change, air pollution, soil and water contamination as environmental law is now intricately connected with every form of development activity. Corporates in sectors like real estate, waste management, minerals or energy all need to take into account environmental laws. With this area comprising of a combination of laws originating from international treaties, national regulations and statutes, clients seek updated advice from us to mitigate risks in their million dollar projects. There is greater awareness about ecological concerns now and regulators are strict about compliance which is why many businesses are increasingly at risk for incurring liabilities. We have advised on projects for waste management and renewable energy, opined on compliance and even represented in cases before the Supreme Court related to protection of lakes and eco-sensitive ridge areas.

Family & Inheritance

At LLC, we represent private clients in a host of family law related matters including divorce, mutual separation, child custody, multijurisdictional matrimonial disputes, family settlements, property partitions and domestic abuse; and inheritance work including estate planning, wills and probate, succession, trusts and property conveyances through family gifts.

Immigration

LLC provides legal advice to foreign nationals and businesses on immigration requirements in India related to visas for business, employment, tourist, entry, medical or student. With many foreign companies setting up manufacturing bases, subsidiaries or import divisions in India, there is an increased requirement from clients seeking visas for their employees in India. We offer assistance to clients seeking extension of visas or looking to file applications with the FRRO related to Residential Permits. We counsel clients on applications for OCI cards or citizenship of India. LLC has represented Indian clients by working closely with UK lawyers and immigration advisers to provide assistance in getting UK visas. We have acted for Indian doctors in helping them prepare their applications before the General Medical Council (UK) and coordinating with UK experts to help the clients successfully register as medical practitioners and migrate to the UK.

Intellectual Property

LLC advises on all aspects of IP including creation, registration, licensing, assignment, infringement and enforcement. Many of our clients’ primary business is creation of IP. However, in modern economies IP has become a vital part of many businesses and we often work on IP issues which are part of larger corporate restructurings. We counsel on copyright, trademark, design and patents. LLC has advised on licensing or franchising agreements for clients expanding businesses in India or globally. Our work involves strategic advice on IP registrations (India & global), transactions, document review and dispute resolution. Litigation can include trademark infringement or passing off cases, copyright or design infringement and patent related action. LLC has used its cross-practice expertise to counsel on domain name disputes. We have acted on cross border joint ventures and revenue sharing contracts for Indian clients in their IP deals with parties from US and Europe.

Investment

At LLC, our Investment specialists provide legal advisory and transactional services related to cross border finance, corporate reorganisations, registrations and incorporations, tax systems, regulatory compliance and investment structuring. We also work in collaboration with law firms and asset managers in various foreign jurisdictions to ensure a seamless process for international brands wanting to undertake direct or indirect investment into India.

The Investment team works closely with other specialists from Restructuring (M&A), Corporate & Commercial and Immigration groups in LLC to provide cross-practice expertise to the diverse client sectors.

Our specialists can handle work for venture or capital investors and investees throughout the investment process and at any stage of the lifecycle. We regularly work on term sheets, investment agreements, articles of association, investment advisory contracts and security documentation. We advise firms on seed investments, start-up investments, late stage financings and exits, global mobility, strategic transactions, joint ventures and real estate finance.

Media & Telecoms

At LLC, the media law work is built around our other two core strength specialisms in the form of technology and intellectual property. Our teams have advised clients in the media and entertainment sector across diverse domains including but not limited to television, OTT, gaming, music, advertising and films. Some of the important projects handled by LLC in media have included copyright infringement disputes, licensing, marketing, revenue sharing or distribution contracts. Our litigation team has also advised on representation for record companies and publishing companies.

Our work in the media and advertising domain involves contracts negotiation, document vetting, advising on IP protection, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution and pursuing defamation suits. We also provide practical and commercially sensible advice for clients facing allegations of defamation.

Our telecoms practice relates to contracts and leasing with telecom infrastructure companies. The real estate team combines with the telecom team to provide specific services to land or building owners, investor clients and commercial developers in respect of rooftop leases, tower installations, regulatory compliance, negotiating new or renewal contracts, advising on dispute settlements, pursuing legal remedies in courts for removal of tower equipment or seeking contractual dues. We also represent corporate or individual clients in their service disputes with telecom companies and ISPs.

Property & Real Estate

LLC has a creative real estate team which is adept at handling a vast array of transactions. The team advises on construction, development, planning, joint ventures, investments, property searches, due diligence, acquisition, sales, transaction or property taxation and real estate mergers. We have counselled clients in projects for construction of residential complex, commercial establishments (offices, shops and restaurants), factories, manufacturing units as well as corporate and bank branches.

LLC specialises in drafting of building contracts, joint venture construction agreements, investment term sheets, conveyance deeds, sale agreements, MOUs, gift deeds, leave and license agreements and residential or commercial leases. We have also advised foreign clients on properties in India. LLC has a robust property litigation practice with a diverse client portfolio including construction companies, infrastructure material vendors, landlords, tenants and real estate brokerage firms.

Restructuring (M&A, Divestitures)

LLC has tremendous exposure to cross border and domestic corporate restructurings. We advise on all stages of transactions from initial negotiations to contract drafting and execution. LLC has worked on mergers, acquisitions, share purchases, investments, divestments and auctions for clients in India and clients from Asia Pacific, Europe and USA. We have acted on deals for international conglomerates, hedge funds and investment companies. Many of the M&A transactions need cross practice expertise and our teams work on different aspects of the same deal including contract, investment, competition, IP or taxation. With many foreign businesses entering into pacts with Indian brands or making investments in start-ups, a large part of our work tends to be multijurisdictional. We combine with experts in other countries to ensure clients can get a seamless service. LLC helps clients to structure and negotiate contracts, legally navigate tax systems and find solutions to regulatory hurdles.

Sports

At LLC, we can work on a mix of contentious, transactional and advisory work for organisations involved in sports as well as for private clients (sportspeople, agents, coaching or medical staff). Being a nascent legal practice sector, few law chambers either offer services in sports law or work specifically in transactions needing specialised expertise and knowledge of sports. Our competitive advantage is derived from the fact that the senior leadership at LLC is very passionate about both sports and law.

LLC can provide services on issues related to sponsorship deals, branding, licensing, merchandising, intellectual property, image and marketing rights, broadcasting, dispute resolutions, disciplinary proceedings, anti-corruption or match fixing prosecutions, reputation protection, contract negotiations, event management, immigration advice, (visa and residential permits), representing clients in challenges to decisions of governing bodies, defamation, privacy, advertising as well as taxation advice for international and domestic sportspeople.

Our sports law work will often need cross-practice expertise from other LLC specialisms including contract, business and commercial, competition, banking and finance, intellectual property, constitutional and public, criminal, employment and immigration among others.

Technology

Our technology team acts for a diverse range of clients including digital businesses, software companies, IT system/service suppliers, fintech entities, BPO and KPO, online app developers, payment gateways, intermediaries, tech buyers and end users among others. LLC advises clients on procurements, licensing, outsourcing, technology transfer, software development and distribution, escrow contracts, maintenance agreements, tech IP (assignment or enforcement), cyber law compliance, due diligence, cybercrime, database management, audit, intermediary liability, encryption, data protection and privacy concerns. LLC stays abreast of the legal issues in a rapidly evolving technology sector and hence is able to curate services to the specific needs of clients. We focus on understanding our clients’ technology so that we are able to give commercially sound solutions.

White Collar Crimes

LLC is often approached by businesses for advice in cases of corporate crimes and related investigations or criminal prosecutions. With multijurisdictional businesses on the rise and structuring of complex transactions beyond borders, companies are exposed to greater risks through allegations of money laundering, securities violations and fraud. LLC works on risk assessment, corporate compliance and providing tactical advice on investigations or coercive actions from enforcement agencies. Our collaboration with global experts helps us to offer strategic advice for clients who face the risk of legal actions across multiple jurisdictions. LLC represents both businesses as well as individual clients. We offer expertise on cases related to corruption, bribery, money laundering, price fixing, cybercrimes, accounting schemes, tax investigations, securities or commodities fraud, insider trading, restraint or freezing orders, cartels and regulatory sanctions.