Area of Expertise

Civil law is a branch of law that deals with disputes between individuals, organizations or private parties. Unlike criminal law, which deals with punishment, civil law only aims to resolve conflicts, restore rights and provide compensation. It pertains to rights, liabilities and responsibilities and covers areas like family matters, such as divorce, property, contracts, personal injury and consumer protection. Matters involving civil law are handled by civil courts, tribunals, High Courts and eventually the Supreme Court. It is based on written rules and statutes, which judges refer to, to decide cases.

• Family Law: Divorce, custody of children, marriage etc.
• Property Rights: ownership of land, building or other assets.
• Contracts: Between individuals and businesses.
• Insurance: Damages from accidents or events.
• Torts: Disputes between people.

Criminal Law in India encompasses offences categorized as harmful to individuals, society or the State. An intrinsic part of the legal system, it is meant for the protection of society, ensuring public safety and to maintain law and order. Governed mainly by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) it defines what is considered a crime, how a suspect is questioned, charged and tried. It includes punishments for those violating the law. Crimes are categorized as bailable and non-bailable, cognizable and non-cognizable, according to the severity of the crime committed. Criminal cases are usually handled by Magistrate Courts, Sessions Courts, High Court and finally the Supreme Court.

Employment and service law relates to the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in various sectors, and came into effect to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability. These laws lay down the guidelines for wages, working conditions, job security, and employee benefits. The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, ensures fair compensation, while the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, makes it compulsory for wages to be distributed on time. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, puts in place a mechanism for resolving workplace conflicts, and the Trade Unions Act, 1926, protects employees' rights to collective negotiations. Employment laws in India state the difference between workmen (who perform manual or operational work) and non-workmen (in managerial or supervisory roles), while ensuring stricter protections for workmen. Unlike some countries, India does not recognize employment-at-will, which means that job termination has to adhere to the correct legal procedure. The government has simplified employment laws by consolidating them into four labour codes. Service law in India lays down the specifics required for government jobs to ensure fair and efficient work. Focusing primarily on fairness, equality, and transparency, it follows principles from constitutional and administrative laws. Some of the laws under this are the National Service Act, 1972, which registers eligible people for national service, and the Right to Public Services Act, which guarantees timely government services. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, provides free legal help through Lok Adalats (special courts for quick dispute resolution). These laws were written for protecting employee rights, maintaining discipline and strengthening public service delivery.

Mining Laws in India provide a thorough framework to regulate exploration, extraction and the management of minerals, while also ensuring the safety of workers and the conservation of the environment. The Mines Act, 1952, governs mine operations, covering shafts, opencast workings, conveyors, workshops, and protective structures to enhance safety. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 regulates mineral extraction and grants mining concessions, including prospecting licenses and leases. For the promotion of sustainable mining, the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 have laid down guidelines for scientific mining and environmental protection, whereas the Mines Rules 1955 were drafted for the health and safety of the mine workers. In addition, the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015 and the Offshore Mineral Concession Rules, 2006 govern mineral rights, auctions and the regulation of seabed mining. Collectively these laws aim to balance economic growth, collect utilization of resources and environmental sustainability thus ensuring responsible mining in India.

Environmental law in India is designed to protect and improve the environment while preventing and controlling pollution. The Environment Protection Act, 1986, drafted after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, grants the central government powers to regulate industrial locations, set emission standards, manage hazardous substances, and prevent environmental accidents. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notifications safeguard coastal ecosystems and communities. Other significant regulations include the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001, Recycled Plastics Rules, 1999, Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2003, and the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016. These laws cover the different aspects of the environment to include air, water, land, and their interrelationships with living organisms. Enforcement authorities ensure compliance of these laws, but individuals are also expected to play a role in the conservation of the environment. Following these laws, raising awareness in society, and adopting sustainable practices—like reducing waste and planting trees—are for safeguarding natural resources and preventing harm to future generations.

Legal matters pertaining to family relationships, marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, inheritance, maintenance, and domestic violence are all covered under Family Law. It is a mix of personal laws which are based on religion and secular laws that are applicable to all citizens. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, and the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936 govern marriage and divorce for different religious communities, while the Special Marriage Act, 1954 offers a civil alternative. Laws like the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, and the Muslim Personal Law govern inheritance, while adoption is regulated under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. Secular laws, as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and Section 125 CrPC, provide protection and maintenance rights. Family courts enforce these laws, ensuring legal protection and justice in family matters.

Company law in India governs how companies are formed, operate and get dissolved. The Companies Act, 2013, serves as the primary legislation to ensure this. It replaced the Companies Act, 1956, and is controlled by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and Regional Directors (RDs). Company law defines the rules of corporate governance by highlighting the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors and senior management. It was drafted to protect the rights of stakeholders, enforce transparency and make risk management mandatory to safeguard investors. Companies are deterred from false advertising, unfair practices, and issuing misleading statements. The law also encourages competition while ensuring companies contribute to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development. Businesses have to adhere to environmental regulations to support sustainability. Company Law helps build and strengthen the corporate sector by enforcing legal compliance, fair treatment of shareholders, and ethical business practice, thus balancing profitability with social and environmental responsibilities.

Labour law in India encompasses rights of workers, lays down guidelines regarding working conditions and ensures fair wages. The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, sets the limit for minimum pay, while the Factories Act, 1948, ensures safe workplaces. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, provides paid maternity leave, and the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, makes it compulsory for salaries to be paid on time. Social security laws like the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Act and Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act offer retirement, medical, and unemployment benefits. Workers are also entitled to paid leave under the Shops and Establishment Act, 1960. The Indian government introduced four new labour codes—Code on Wages, Social Security, Occupational Safety, and Industrial Relations—to simplify and consolidate existing laws. However, despite legal protection, the enforcement of these rights varies from State to State. The Labour Laws were drafted mainly to prevent exploitation of workers, ensure fair treatment to all and balance economic growth with workers' rights.

In India, Intellectual Property (IP) Law protects the rights of creators, innovators, and businesses for their inventions, designs, and creative works. IP law covers copyrights (books, music, films), patents (new inventions), trademarks (logos, brand names), designs (product appearances), geographical indications (origin-based products), and trade secrets. It is meant to encourage innovation and economic growth while at the same time ensuring that individuals and companies can benefit from the same. India follows global IP standards, including the TRIPS Agreement, and has specific laws like the Copyright Act, 1957, Patents Act, 1970, Trade Marks Act, 1999, and Designs Act, 2000. These laws help businesses protect their brand identity, encourage research and development, and prevent unauthorized use of creative assets. By safeguarding intellectual property IP laws promote fair competition, protect consumer interests, and drive technological and artistic advancements.

Taxation Law is what determines the taxes individuals and companies pay to the government. The Income Tax Act, 1961 is the main law regulating income tax, while the Income Tax Rules, 1962, notifications from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), and annual changes in the Finance Act (Budget) guide tax implementation. Tax laws define how taxes are levied, collected, and administered. Income is classified into different slabs and tax rates are updated every year in the Union Budget. Indian taxation includes direct taxes (such as income tax and corporate tax) and indirect taxes (like Goods and Services Tax (GST) and customs duties). Businesses and individuals are expected to adhere to these laws in order to avoid penalty.

Corporate Law pertains to the formation, operation, and dissolution of companies and ensures transparency and legal compliance. It falls mainly under the purview of the Companies Act 2013 which covers company incorporation, stakeholders’ rights and management. The other key law governing this is the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, which provides the framework during corporate insolvency. Governing various aspects related to companies like the formation of a company, management, funding, mergers, acquisitions, regulatory compliance and business conduct, it also outlines the rights and duties of shareholders, directors, employees and stakeholders. Regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT oversee everything related to corporate matters.

Consumer law in India is meant for the protection of consumers, from unfair trade practices and ensure that their rights are upheld in transactions with businesses. Governed mainly by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, as well as other rules and regulations, it lays down guidelines for consumer grievance redressal and regulates product manufacturers, service providers, advertisers, and e-commerce entities. Some of the main consumer rights include the right to safety, information, choice, being heard, and seeking redress. Consumers can file complaints against businesses through consumer forums. The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, and other regulations were drafted to further strengthen consumer rights, particularly for online transactions. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and the Department of Consumer Affairs oversee enforcement. The law applies to individuals purchasing goods or services for personal use, excluding commercial buyers. By preventing misleading advertising, unfair trade practices, and substandard goods, consumer law ensures that businesses operate fairly while empowering consumers to make informed choices.

Banking and finance laws in India were drafted to regulate the banking sector and ensure stability, transparency, and consumer protection. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the primary authority overseeing banking operations under key laws, like the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, which oversees banking firms, and the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, which empowers the RBI to issue rules and regulations. The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) regulates cross-border transactions and foreign exchange activities. Other regulations include financial record-keeping, everything related to cooperative banks and the rules and regulations for banks. The 2020 amendment was a recent update for establishing the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to oversee non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and new RBI guidelines on penal interest charges in 2023. These laws safeguard the interests of the depositors and look into any financial misconduct, while keeping in mind modern banking needs. As new regulations come into effect, and technology advances at a rapid rate, these laws are necessary for ensuring a secure and efficient financial system and simultaneously supporting economic growth.

An alternate way of settling disputes outside of court is termed ass arbitration and conciliation. Governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, it covers domestic and international arbitration as well as ensures the enforcement of foreign awards. In arbitration, both parties with a dispute present their case and an arbitrator or mediator gives the final decision, which is known as an arbitral award. Even though the proceedings are not carried out in a proper court, the judgement is legally binding. It is a faster process with minimum court interference. Conciliation on the other hand, is a more flexible process where a neutral person intervenes and helps both parties reach an agreement In the hope of fine-tuning the arbitration process, the Indian Government is working on the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to promote institutional arbitration, minimize court intervention, and expedite proceedings.