India has complex laws relating to companies, foreign exchange and regulatory laws. The consequences of non-compliance can be quite severe. In addition, the laws keep changing to cater to the evolving business environment and regulatory policy. Corporate governance is another current focus area for companies and regulators to ensure that shareholder rights and values are not compromised. This requires constant hand-holding for companies to be compliant and achieve success.
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (L&S) believes that the holistic environment of the firm, combined with the diversity of expertise, brings a unique aspect to the services in the legal vertical. The firm strongly believes that the role is not only to identify risks but to also find practical solutions in respect of such risks.
In the recent years, the lawyers have advised various Indian and foreign entities in e-commerce, franchises and retail on issues including the mechanism for entry in the market, obtaining foreign investment and setting up operations in India.
The corporate law team supports with drafting and vetting of various commercial agreements including licensing contracts from a legal point of view.
Corporate at L&S
The General Corporate practice at the firm handles the entire corporate life cycle of a company starting from advice on entry strategy, incorporation and structuring, contracts and regulatory compliances to corporate governance and mechanisms for transparency and accountability. The focus of the team is not only to ensure that the companies are legally compliant but also to foresee potential areas of risks in the future and provide timely advice.
Our multidisciplinary teams include lawyers, company secretaries and compliance specialist who ensure that companies are compliant from a legal and commercial perspective. The teams have successfully dealt with many complex issues and have rendered opinions on laws specific to various industries. We also conduct employment law related due diligence and legal audits and are assist clients in carrying out trainings on POSH law and POSH investigations.
The corporate practice provides assistance on the following:
General corporate and commercial advice including advice on companies law, SEBI regulations, foreign exchange management laws, legal metrology laws, and Bureau of Indian Standard laws;
Compliance audits and gap analysis;
Outbound and inbound investments including joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions;
Private equity transactions including formulating legally viable structures, carrying out due diligence, drafting and negotiating transaction documents and assistance in closing related compliances
Policy interpretation.
The team is recognized for comprehensive and complete range of services essential for setting up and operating a business in India including advising on broadly:
Establishing the business entity
Infusion of funds
Drafting of various contracts and agreements
Business restructuring
Statutory and regulatory compliances
Extension and growth of business
Matters relating to foreign investment
Labor law issues
Exit options and winding up
The team also assists clients on various business contracts such as employment contracts, sales and purchases agreements, intercompany agreements, licensing agreements, franchise agreements, etc. In addition, the practice integrates policy advice and advocacy to support industry representatives and the regulators.
The team at L&S is adept at working in various industry sectors such as aviation, automotive, education, electronics, power, telecommunications, manufacturing, real estate etc. In the recent years, our lawyers have advised various Indian and foreign entities in e-commerce, franchises and retail on issues including the mechanism for entry in the market, obtaining foreign investment and setting up operations in India.
