Print version

Overview

To be successful in India, companies need lawyers who understand the evolving Indian market. The Freehills team includes Indian qualified lawyers and brings local knowledge and expertise to ensure the delivery of successful outcomes for Australian clients in India and Indian clients investing in Australia and South-East Asia.

Freehills recognises India’s rapid transformation into a world market economy, with trade and activity by Indian corporations set to continually increase over time. We understand India’s need to obtain assets and expertise in high demand areas such as the energy, resources, project financing and infrastructure sectors.

Our team of internationally-experienced and Indian qualified lawyers are well positioned to advise Indian companies looking to invest into Australia and South-East Asia and to advise Australian companies on their foreign investment into India.

To achieve commercially-successful outcomes for clients, we have adopted a ‘relationship’-based approach to help them conduct business in India. We have an established network of contacts with government, corporate and key industry figures across the region whom we call upon when required. Where necessary, we also partner with trusted Indian law firms and utilise local knowledge and cultural sensitivities to provide tailor made advice to clients.

We service clients in India by ‘flying in’ staff with relevant expertise on a needs basis. In addition, staff access a ‘virtual office’ at any time and from any location. Australian-based expertise supports these offshore staff—effectively providing 24 hour coverage on a project. This additional support is charged at Australian market rates, which results in significant cost savings to clients.

We are committed to strengthening our India practice and have recently employed several Indian qualified lawyers. The mix of Indian talent (based in our Sydney and Melbourne offices) and Australian lawyers with Indian experience, enhances the understanding of Australian/Indian investment and capital flows.

Neil Pathak, Partner, says our successful approach to doing business in India means our experienced staff successfully integrate with cross-functional teams, and easily adapt to local work practices. ‘Because we have such a vast range of international experience to call upon, we can handpick staff who most likely have done a similar job in the past or have the required skill set to meet the client’s need. This international repertoire of skills and experience combined with local Indian knowledge makes all the difference when trying to deliver successful outcomes for clients’.

We are well versed in working in the constantly-evolving Indian market with an established presence in Asia spanning more than 30 years. We have the legal and project management expertise, international experience, contacts and reputation in India to assist clients in reaching their commercial goals across a wide range of areas including:

Throughout India and across all of Asia we provide: