Advaita Legal

Ranked ‘Highly recommended’ in Energy, Advaita Legal has particular expertise in handling PPP projects, bid advisory, regulatory advisory, and claims and disputes relevant to the energy sector. The firm’s principal Monali Dutta has diverse experience in dispute resolution, labour and employment, energy as well as aviation, and partner Shailendra Singh is energy and regulatory specialist. Indirect tax partner Sujit Gosh left the firm in December 2018.

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Advising National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a public-private partnership that supports the skills development in India, in relation to reviewing loan agreements and facility agreements entered with the borrowers.

Competition/antitrust

Work highlights

Representing a leading telecommunications company in India against a competitor on the allegations of cartelisation and abuse of dominance before the Competition Commission of India.

Construction

Work highlights

Advising the Ministry of Civil Aviation in relation to drafting the model concession agreement in line with the proposed transaction structure for construction of greenfield airports under the new ‘NextGen Airports for Bharat Nirman’ initiative. The initiative will improve passenger amenities, promoting cargo handling facilities and early operation of 56 new airports under the UDAN scheme while simultaneously improving regional connectivity and passenger services.

Assisting Ranchi Smart City Corporation in implementing the integrated infrastructure development of the smart city. The firm is drafting the bid documents and various construction contracts as well as advising the corporation on the bidding process.

Key clients

Andhra Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation, Diageo India, Gwalior Smart City Development Corporation, Nashik Smart City Corporation

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Representing Kudgi Transmission in a dispute against PowerGrid Corporation of India over whether the corporation is liable to pay transmission charges to the client based on the order of Central Electricity Regulation Commission. The client’s transmission line could not be commissioned due to delay in the commissioning of sub-station by the corporation, and the firm previously secured the transmission charges for the client. However, the corporation filed an appeal against the order by raising questions on the Transmission Charge Sharing Regulations.

Key clients

Belectric Group, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Petronet LNG, Shapoorji Pallonji Group

Labour and employment

Work highlights

Advising local and international corporations in the preparation of employment contracts, compliance of labour laws and other labour and employment issues. The firm is also representing the corporations in their internal disciplinary proceedings and litigation and arbitration with the employees.

Key clients

GKN, JFE, Novozymes, Sun Life

Regulatory

Work highlights

Advised Renew Power Ventures on the applicability of extant laws in relation to the issue of accounting for depreciation.

Key clients

Airports Authority of India, Central Electricity Regulatory Commissions, GMR Group, Renew Power Ventures, Tata Power Delhi Distribution

Tax

Work highlights

Represented Bharat Petroleum Corporation in 26-year litigation over the sales tax on the supply of kerosene for extraction of N-paraffin and subsequent return. The firm started to handle the case in 2015, and it filed a writ petition as well as a reference application before the Bombay High Court for effective relief for the client and filed a special leave petition before the Supreme Court.

Key clients

Alstom Transport India, BG Exploration & Production India, Kesoram Industries, Summit Online Trade Solutions, United Spirits