Established 2013
Tel: +91-11-33232700
Fax: +91-11-33232800
Contact: Sudipta Bhattacharjee (sudiptab@advaitalegal.com), Shailendra Singh (shailendraks@advaitalegal.com)
Number of partners: 2
Number of lawyers: 30
Languages: English, Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi
Practice Areas: Tax, Corporate, Projects & Energy, Technology, Media & Telecommunication (TMT), International Trade/WTO, Contractual/commercial dispute resolution (including arbitration/mediation), Restructuring and Insolvency, Employment and labour laws, Banking and Finance, Aviation (including Aerospace and Defence) and Real Estate and Construction
Taking a cue from the Sanskrit word ‘Advaita’ (meaning singular, unique), Advaita Legal was set up with a vision to provide workable legal solutions attuned to the requirements of its clientele. While originally set up predominantly as a ‘Tax’ firm, over the last years the Firm has expanded its practices ranging from projects and energy, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, employment/labour to international trade and TMT.
Even though the Firm was set up only in 2013, the leadership of the Firm have decades of work experience in the tax and legal practice (both litigation and advisory) across jurisdictions.
The teams in Advaita combine their substantive legal expertise in a diverse array of disciplines, issues and industries with an in-depth understanding of administrative, regulatory and legislative processes to provide the clients with a 360° experience. As a growing firm, the lawyers at Advaita are staunch believers of going beyond the call of duty. The Firm consists of young, passionate and driven team of lawyers mentored by well-established leaders in their domain practice areas.
Aviation (including Aerospace and Defence): AL has developed a significant practice area in the Aviation practice. In aerospace, AL has advised infrastructure airport developers to ground handling/cargo entities besides advising airlines on issues ranging from aircraft financing to MRO etc. AL has also been advising many international defence companies on prestigious projects on various legal issues ranging from defence procurement to the DPP, offset, FDI policy and technology licensing etc.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation: AL represents clients in arbitration (domestic and international) extending to execution and enforcement of arbitral awards. The litigation experience spans the original, appellate, revisional and writ jurisdiction of various judicial fora.
Infrastructure, Energy & Projects: AL has established itself in the league of top law firms in the Infrastructure, Energy and Projects space. The expertise transcends and includes power (gas, coal, hydro, wind, solar), water, roads, airports, mining, ports etc. The team specializes in PPP projects, drafting of project contracts and in regulatory representation.
International Trade and WTO: The team in Advaita are pioneers in the field of international trade and WTO laws having represented clients before various adjudicating authorities and advising clients on various issues arising out of protectionist levies, customs duty, foreign trade policy matters and other international trade facilitation matters.
M&A and Joint Ventures: AL provides investment advisory services including due diligence, transaction structuring and legal documentation services in relation to M&A, JV and other in-bound investments.
Real Estate & Construction: The Firm has advised its clients on various aspects including agreements pertaining to lease, sale and purchase, development agreements for land, builder buyer agreements and transactions pertaining to flats and apartments.
Tax: Advaita is one of the few tax teams in India who (by dint of its litigation experience) can marry cutting-edge tax advice with actual court- room experience in handling very high-stake tax litigations to create transformational value for the clients. The team has been able to create a niche for itself amongst its peers and the industry alike as the “Go to” Firm so far as complex, high-stake tax issues are involved; be it for transfer pricing or corporate tax or across the spectrum of indirect taxes ranging from GST, Customs/internal trade laws to State Excise laws applicable on alcoholic beverages to pre-GST taxes like service tax, CST/VAT or central excise.
India
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
India
Energy
| Outstanding |
|---|
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| J Sagar Associates |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Trilegal |
| Highly recommended |
|---|
| Advaita Legal |
| Economic Laws Practice (ELP) |
| HSA Advocates |
| IndusLaw |
| Khaitan & Co |
| Link Legal India Law Services |
| Recommended |
|---|
| ALMT Legal |
| AZB & Partners |
| Dhir & Dhir Associates |
| DSK Legal |
| Gagrats |
| Phoenix Legal |
| Singhania & Partners |
| Recognised |
|---|
| Kochhar & Co |
| Rajani Associates |
| Other notable firms |
|---|
| Bharucha & Partners |
| Desai & Diwanji |
| Gravitas Legal |
| S&R Associates |
| Wadia Ghandy & Co |
Infrastructure
| Outstanding |
|---|
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| J Sagar Associates |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Highly recommended |
|---|
| Economic Laws Practice (ELP) |
| HSA Advocates |
| Link Legal India Law Services |
| Recommended |
|---|
| Advaita Legal |
| ALMT Legal |
| AZB & Partners |
| Dhir & Dhir Associates |
| Gagrats |
| IndusLaw |
| Khaitan & Co |
| Phoenix Legal |
| Trilegal |
| Wadia Ghandy & Co |
| Other notable firms |
|---|
| Bharucha & Partners |
| Desai & Diwanji |
| DSK Legal |
| Kochhar & Co |
Real estate
| Outstanding |
|---|
| AZB & Partners |
| Federal & Company |
| Kanga & Company |
| Khaitan & Co |
| Highly recommended |
|---|
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| J Sagar Associates |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Recommended |
|---|
| ALMT Legal |
| DSK Legal |
| IndusLaw |
| Majmudar & Partners |
| Phoenix Legal |
| Trilegal |
| Wadia Ghandy & Co |
| Recognised |
|---|
| Kochhar & Co |
| Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe |
| Poovayya & Co |
Technology and telecommunications
| Outstanding |
|---|
| J Sagar Associates |
| Kochhar & Co |
| Nishith Desai Associates |
| Trilegal |
| Highly recommended |
|---|
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| DSK Legal |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Recommended |
|---|
| Advaita Legal |
| AZB & Partners |
| IndusLaw |
| Khaitan & Co |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Other notable firms |
|---|
| ALMT Legal |
| Dhir & Dhir Associates |
| Economic Laws Practice (ELP) |
| HSA Advocates |
| Majmudar & Partners |
| Mani Chengappa & Mathur |
| Phoenix Legal |
| Poovayya & Co |
| S&R Associates |
| Samvad Partners |
Banking and finance
| Outstanding |
|---|
| AZB & Partners |
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| J Sagar Associates |
| Khaitan & Co |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Highly Recommended |
|---|
| Economic Laws Practice (ELP) |
| HSA Advocates |
| Juris Corp |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Talwar Thakore & Associates |
| Trilegal |
| Recommended |
|---|
| Bharucha & Partners |
| Dave & Girish & Co |
| Dhir & Dhir Associates |
| DSK Legal |
| IndusLaw |
| Link Legal India Law Services |
| Majmudar & Partners |
| Phoenix Legal |
| SNG & Partners |
| Wadia Ghandy & Co |
| Recognised |
|---|
| Advaita Legal |
| ALMT Legal |
| Gagrats |
| Jerome Merchant + Partners |
| Nishith Desai Associates |
| Other notable firms |
|---|
| Argus Partners |
| Atlas Law Partners |
| Desai & Diwanji |
| India Law Offices |
| Kochhar & Co |
| Rajani Associates |
| S&R Associates |
| SJ Law |
| Vaish Associates |
| ZBA |
Competition/antitrust
| Outstanding |
|---|
| Khaitan & Co |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Highly recommended |
|---|
| AZB & Partners |
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| Economic Laws Practice (ELP) |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Talwar Thakore & Associates |
| Recommended |
|---|
| J Sagar Associates |
| Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan |
| Trilegal |
| Other notable firms |
|---|
| Advaita Legal |
| Chandhiok & Mahajan |
| Gaggar & Partners |
| IndusLaw |
| Kochhar & Co |
| Link Legal India Law Services |
| Nishith Desai Associates |
| Phoenix Legal |
| S&R Associates |
| Vaish Associates |
Construction
| Outstanding |
|---|
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| HSA Advocates |
| J Sagar Associates |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Link Legal India Law Services |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Highly recommended |
|---|
| DSK Legal |
| Federal & Company |
| Kanga & Company |
| Khaitan & Co |
| Other notable firms |
|---|
| Dhaval Vussonji & Associates |
| Gagrats |
| KK Sharma and Company |
Dispute resolution
| Outstanding |
|---|
| Agarwal Law Associates |
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| Karanjawala & Co |
| Khaitan & Co |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Highly Recommended |
|---|
| AZB & Partners |
| Economic Laws Practice (ELP) |
| J Sagar Associates |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Nishith Desai Associates |
| Rashmikant and Partners |
| Trilegal |
| Wadia Ghandy & Co |
| Recommended |
|---|
| Bharucha & Partners |
| Dhir & Dhir Associates |
| DSK Legal |
| IndusLaw |
| Juris Corp |
| Majmudar & Partners |
| Phoenix Legal |
| Singhania & Partners |
| Recognised |
|---|
| Bhasin & Co |
| Gagrats |
| HSA Advocates |
| Link Legal India Law Services |
| Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe |
| Poovayya & Co |
| Rajani Associates |
Labour and employment
| Outstanding |
|---|
| Nishith Desai Associates |
| Trilegal |
| Highly recommended |
|---|
| Bhasin and Bhasin Associates |
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| J Sagar Associates |
| Khaitan & Co |
| Kochhar & Co |
| Majmudar & Partners |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Recommended |
|---|
| ALMT Legal |
| AZB & Partners |
| IndusLaw |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Phoenix Legal |
| Singhania & Partners |
| Other notable firms |
|---|
| Advaita Legal |
| Chadha & Co |
| Dhir & Dhir Associates |
| Poovayya & Co |
Regulatory
| Outstanding |
|---|
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| Khaitan & Co |
| Nishith Desai Associates |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Highly recommended |
|---|
| AZB & Partners |
| Economic Laws Practice (ELP) |
| Finsec Law Advisors |
| J Sagar Associates |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Recommended |
|---|
| Trilegal |
| Other notable firms |
|---|
| Advaita Legal |
| Chadha & Co |
| Dhir & Dhir Associates |
| Hammurabi & Solomon |
| Majmudar & Partners |
| RegLaw Chambers |
| Talwar Thakore & Associates |
Tax
| Outstanding |
|---|
| Economic Laws Practice (ELP) |
| Khaitan & Co |
| Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan |
| Nishith Desai Associates |
| Highly Recommended |
|---|
| AZB & Partners |
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co |
| Vaish Associates |
| Recommended |
|---|
| Advaita Legal |
| ALMT Legal |
| BMR Legal Advocates |
| L&L Partners Law Offices |
| Majmudar & Partners |
| Trilegal |
| Other notable firms |
|---|
| HSA Advocates |
| Kochhar & Co |
| PDS Legal |
| Phoenix Legal |
| TLC Legal |