India And The UK: Free Trade Agreement

In July 2025, the United Kingdom and India entered into a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA or FTA), bringing tariff reductions, easier market access and commitments to people mobility and government procurement (amongst others). This is a major win in the long-standing alliance of both these nations. The CETA was signed by the UK Secretary of State for Business, Mr Jonathan Reynolds, and India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal, in the presence of the Prime...

First In Line: Decoding Liquidation Preferences For Investors And Founders

In the realm of Private Equity and Venture Capital transactions, a well-structured exit is as critical as the initial investment itself. The liquidation preference clause serves as a key contractual mechanism to ensure that investors are afforded priority when a company undergoes a liquidation event. Far from being a routine provision, this clause effectively places investors at the front of the distribution queue, ensuring recovery of capital before any residual proceeds are allocated to ...

ESG: Boardroom Mandate Or Cheap Publicity?

As early as 2022, Ricardo Viana Vargas, a Brazilian engineer and author of multiple books on management, wrote for the London School of Economics with a thought-provoking question – “whether marketing was killing ESG?”. Two professors from Tufts and Boston, wrote an article in the Harvard Business Review on the insanity of expecting capitalism to help solve the world's problems with an impressive headline that read - “ESG investing isn't designed to save the planet!” Analyst and...

Evolution Of Corporate Governance In India

India, today, is a widely preferred business location for companies all over the world because of its robust regulatory framework, sustainable environment and a polished talent pool. However, was this the case in the earlier days after independence too? The answer, without any thinking is, a clear 'No'. So, what has made a difference? The answer to this question is the advancement that has been constantly and promptly captured and curated in the corporate governance sphere. Decades ago,...

Office Memorandum Dated 04.04.2025: Stride From Paper Policy To Enforceable SOPs

On 04.04.2025, the Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Legal Affairs issued a 'Directive for the Efficient and Effective Management of Litigation' ('Directive'). It may be seen as a substitute to the National Litigation Policy ('NLP') 2024, which was long contemplated but yet to be implemented, NLP 2010 being the last version of it. The Directive seeks to bring practicality to the existing government litigation management – a step from aspiration to action. The much awaited NLP...

PMLA & Real Estate: Why Developers And Agents Must Rethink Compliance

The real estate industry in India has long been known for the exploitation and malpractices of the builders. With the introduction of Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, there has been a fair attempt to bring the real estate sector under scrutiny by imposing mandatory compliances and heavy penalties on the developers. One of the major developments in the real estate industry has been the inclusion of real estate developers, brokers and agents within the legal ambit of...

Between Articles, Agreements And Regulatory Whispers: Where Do Special Rights Truly Reside?

Some contracts are more than just commercial scaffolding, they are silent compacts of control, trust, and intention. In the corporate ecosystem, the SHA occupies this space. Negotiated in confidence but often omitted or neglected from the company's AoA, SHAs have grown to embody the aspirations of founders, the protections of investors, and the governance structures that sustain modern enterprises. Yet, their enforceability remains cloaked in tension. Can a right exist outside the...

Startups In India: Eligibility & Checklist

Traditionally, business activities were initiated through conventional forms of business, Proprietorship, Partnership, or a Limited Company. As the country matured in complexity, the Government introduced various schemes to provide incentives and encourage entrepreneurship. Banks would provide loans at lower interest rates, and regulatory compliance was relaxed. Today, there is a growing focus on and participation in the start-up ecosystem. With the growing atmosphere towards starting...

New Education Policy 2020: Effects On Legal Education In India

After decades, India, in 2020 welcomed its New Education Policy (“NEP”) which aims to bring a shift in education dispensation, especially higher education. The first NEP was introduced for India in the year 1968, then in 1986 and subsequently in 1992. With the change in society after 1992, the advancement of technology and a transformation in global education, the need for new NEP was felt to change education in India and bring it in parity with the global status. There are a few...

Medico-Legal Regulation Of Clinical Trials In India

Medico-Legal Regulation Of Clinical Trials In IndiaMedical innovation, research and development are a necessary arm for the health care sector and medical advancement helps in securing public health and also to reduce the effects of deadly diseases. What is the meaning of term “clinical trial”? Clinical Trial is a term used to define research in the field of medicine, wherein new tests and experiments are conducted with an objective of identifying its potential benefits and risks on human...

From The Ancient Code To The Modern Charter: A Portrait Of A Changing Society

Moses, Hammurabi, and Manu are considered as the 'First Lawgivers' of ancient civilisations. The Manusmriti, composed between 200 BC and 200 AD, is the text which regulated the day-to-day life of the Indian Society. Attributed to 'Manu' it laid down a strict and rigid code based on 'caste' distinctions. Moreover, the transgression of any rule laid down by it would lead to punishment which could be different according to the caste to which the 'offender' belonged. Consequently, this ...

Asset Replacement Under PMLA - M3M Builder Landmark Verdict

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (“PMLA”) has been a law of fierce enforcement, known for its severity, rigor and stringency has been recently interpreted for an attachment of property case of Joint Director & Anr. v. Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management University & Anr., by the Supreme Court, which raises eyebrows and leaves a few questions to ponder upon.The Enforcement Directorate (“ED”) provisionally attached high-value assets of M3M in a money laundering...