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Being one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India presents vast opportunities and challenges.
Our track record of advising clients on high profile and significant cross-border transactions, projects, disputes and debt and equity financings, has earned us a reputation for being a market-leading India practice. We are regularly the firm of choice for both international clients and Indian corporates in relation to their most important matters in India as well as overseas.
This gives us an excellent balance of perspective, allowing us also to understand the perspective of the Indian business and the cultural and practical challenges and to share clear insights as to the best actions to take and tactics to adopt to overcome the legal and practical hurdles in order to deliver matters to execution.
Our practice is based across our London, Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong offices and operates seamlessly as one adaptable team that can be tailored as required.
Due to Indian regulation, we are precluded from having offices on the ground in India and practising Indian law. However we have strong relationships with top Indian law firms with whom we work to deliver a seamless service.
Our wider commitment to India includes work with law schools and local charities and sets us apart from other firms.
Experience
Deutsche Bank
Advising Deutsche Bank as sole bookrunner on the selldowns (including a US private placement tranche) by the founders of an approximately US$1 billion aggregate stake in Infosys Limited.
Cipla (EU) Limited
Advising on the US$550 million bridge facility agreement for the acquisition of Invagen Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Exelan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Strides Shasun
Advising an Indian pharmaceutical company, on disposal of Agila Specialities its generic specialty injectable business to Mylan Inc. for up to US$1.85 billion.
Reliance Communications
Advising on its US$1.6 billion sale of its tower business to Brookfield Infrastructure.
Bharti Airtel
Advising on its US$10.7 billion acquisition of Zain Africa BV, a wholly-owned Dutch subsidiary of Kuwaiti listed company Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC. Zain's African businesses comprise operations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Niger, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
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Bharti Airtel
Advising on a series of disputes with Econet Wireless relating to Bharti's subsidiary in Nigeria.
Awards and recognition
Tier 1 India Foreign Firms - Ranked for 16 consecutive years
Legal 500, 2008-2024
Band 1 Energy & Natural Resources - India
Chambers Asia Pacific 2024
Band 1 Corporate/M&A - India
Chambers and Partners 2024
Band 1 Domestic – India - Corporate M&A (Expertise Based Abroad)
Chambers Asia Pacific 2024
Band 1 Arbitration (International)
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024
"Herbert Smith Freehills was able to provide timely guidance and support on cross-border issues, with multi-geography teams working seamlessly for timely deliver ".
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 (India)
"Their ability to identify complex issues and then simplify such issues for our consumption helps the legal and business teams a lot to navigate these issues and make decisions".
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 (India)
Recognised for 13 consecutive years as one of the top international law firms for India-related work
Indian Business Law Journal (IBLJ)
A market source notes: "The team at Herbert Smith Freehills is one of the active firms in the Indian market and has good knowledge of the requirements of their clients; we have found their team to be extremely thorough in their advice, with business-oriented solutions.”
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022 (India)
"Longstanding local relationships and highly regarded hands-on team of superlative partners.”
Legal 500 Asia Pacific (India) 2022
"General counsel and law firms alike agree that Herbert Smith Freehills is an undisputed leader on the India circuit.”
India Business Law Journal, 2021
The best thing about the team is that they are able to tailor their legal advice in practical and business terms. “Client centric with a deep focus on business partnering.”
Legal 500 Asia Pacific (India) 2020
"Herbert Smith Freehills’ commitment to India is unshakeable."
India Business Law Journal, 2019
Band 1 Energy & Natural Resources - India