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Insights

Insights

Legal analysis and practical guidance on cross-border business, disputes, corporate, employment and IP matters across India and the UAE — including the Legal Help Desk, our Q&A column on the problems clients actually meet.

Arbitration

Extra Work, Valid Claim: Madras High Court Reaffirms Limits of Section 34 in Infrastructure Arbitration

Introduction In a significant reaffirmation of arbitral autonomy and judicial restraint, the Madras High Court in Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board v. SPML Infra Ltd.[1] has once again underscored the limited scope of interference with arbitral awards under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“A & C Act”). At the heart of the […]

Sudha Sampath · 25 Jul 2025 · 11 minRead →
Investment

Karnataka’s Position on Green Hydrogen: What Corporate Developers Need to Know

The global push towards decarbonization is unlocking new frontiers in clean energy, and India is poised to be a major player in this transition. Among Indian states, Karnataka is steadily carving a niche for itself in the green hydrogen economy. With its robust renewable energy capacity and forward-looking policies, the state is emerging as a […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 25 Jul 2025 · 5 minRead →
Arbitration

Time-Barred Claims Under MSMED Act: Supreme Court Clarifies Conciliation and Arbitration Rights in Sonali Power Equipments v. MSEB (2025)

Introduction In a landmark decision that brings clarity to the interplay between the Limitation Act, 1963, and the dispute resolution framework under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (“MSMED Act”), the Supreme Court in M/S Sonali Power Equipments Pvt. Ltd. v. Chairman, Maharashtra State Electricity Board & Ors.[1], has definitively ruled on […]

Sudha Sampath · 24 Jul 2025 · 14 minRead →
Arbitration

Encashment, Delay and Force Majeure: A case analysis of NTPC vs PTPL

The Delhi High Court’s decision dated 18th July 2025, in the matter of NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd v. Precision Technik Pvt Ltd[1], offers a valuable precedent on the interpretation of force majeure clauses in Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”), the scope of Performance Bank Guarantee (“PBG”) encashment, and the limits of judicial intervention under Sections […]

Sudha Sampath · 23 Jul 2025 · 11 minRead →
Investment

Karnataka Industrial Policy 2020–25: How It Boosts FDI in Karnataka – Legal Insights

Karnataka has emerged as one of India’s most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI), driven not only by its established reputation as the country’s tech hub but also by the state government’s proactive and investor-friendly policies. Among these, the Karnataka Industrial Policy 2020–25 has become a key enabler for facilitating and attracting FDI in […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 23 Jul 2025 · 4 minRead →
Dispute Resolution

Dubai Court of Cassation Affirms Judicial Authority of the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes – Cassation Judgment No. 509/2025

In a significant pronouncement on 16 July 2025, the Dubai Court of Cassation, while deciding Commercial Appeal No. 509 of 2025, clarified, the legal status and judicial competence of the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (the “Centre”). For the first time under Dubai’s updated conciliation regime, the Court explicitly confirmed that the Centre enjoys […]

Sudha Sampath · 21 Jul 2025 · 5 minRead →
India

Non-Use Cancellation & Defensive Marks in India

In a highly competitive marketplace, protecting a trademark goes beyond mere registration. Trademark owners—especially multinational companies—often seek to safeguard their marks even when they are not actively using them in a jurisdiction. Indian trademark law allows registration without immediate use, but it also imposes certain conditions to retain that protection. This article examines how Indian […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 21 Jul 2025 · 5 minRead →
Investment

How Valuation Caps and Discounts Work in Early-Stage Deals

In the world of startup financing, especially during early-stage fundraising, convertible instruments like convertible notes and Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) are increasingly favored over traditional equity rounds. These instruments offer flexibility and speed, but their mechanics, particularly valuation caps and discounts are often misunderstood. This article demystifies how these terms operate and why […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 16 Jul 2025 · 4 minRead →
Investment

Equity Financing for Startups: Structuring Seed and Series Rounds in the UAE

Startups in the UAE are rapidly emerging as key players in the region’s innovation-driven economy. To sustain early-stage growth, founders often turn to equity financing by raising capital in exchange for ownership in the company. Among the most common forms are seed funding and series rounds (Series A, B, etc.). While these terms are widely […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 11 Jul 2025 · 4 minRead →
Copyright Broadcast

Broadcast Reproduction Rights and Performers’ Rights: Lesser-Known Areas of Indian IP Law

When discussing intellectual property (IP) in India, trademarks, patents, and copyrights often take center stage. However, two significant yet underexplored domains within the Indian IP framework are Broadcast Reproduction Rights and Performers’ Rights. These rights are critical in safeguarding the interests of artists, musicians, actors, and broadcasters under the Copyright Act, 1957, as amended, especially […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 11 Jul 2025 · 5 minRead →