Law firms should position themselves for new opportunities in India
Date Published: 26-05-2009
Law firms should position themselves for new opportunities in India
Opportunities for Indian and UK firms to work together will increase as a result of the Indian elections, says the Law Society ahead of it UK-India legal practice conference in June.
The Law Society is hosting the conference between June 1-5 with which will link up visiting Indian law firms of all sizes with UK firms to develop cooperation between the two countries at a legal level.
The programme will feature a conference and matchmaking session in London, a seminar on opportunities outside capital cities and dinner in Manchester and a seminar on Islamic Finance Birmingham. Speakers at the flagship London event will include:
- Lord Bach, the minister of justice
- Rajendra Raghuvanshi, member of the Bar Council of India and Additional Solicitor General of India
- Tomas Baert of the European Commission's directorate general for trade
- Vijaya Sampath, the general counsel of the Indian conglomerate Bharti.
Law Society head of international, Alison Hook, says:
“It is no secret that UK firms will benefit from closer working with their Indian counterparts, as the Indian economy provides many opportunities for UK companies. However, it is a two-way street and the visiting Indian firms may well find new opportunities to bring to their clients' attention as a result of networking more closely with their UK counterparts.
“The overarching aim of the visit is to promote greater legal cooperation between the UK and India. Following the success of last year’s matchmaking visit, we expect more of the same this year.”
Although the Indian legal market remains closed to overseas practices, the Law Society has been working to encourage the Indian government, the Indian Bar and Indian lawyers to see the multiple benefits that can arise from a two way street.
Alison Hook says: “We think that the recent Indian election result is an encouraging sign for legal services in India. The new Congress government looks set not only to continue but even to accelerate its economic reform efforts, and this can only benefit lawyers. The positive outlook for the Indian economy will only encourage more overseas interest in India and that is all the more reason why Indian and UK lawyers need to work together.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
Find out more about the UK-India Conference by clicking here
Visit the Law Society International Division website at and see what the Division is up to on Twitter.
Journalists can contact the Law Society of England & Wales Press Office on +44 (0) 20 7320 5764
