UK law firms becoming 'best friends' with Indian counterparts

10 June 2010

UK law firms look set to benefit from the booming Indian market by establishing professional friendships with law firms from the sub-continent.

A series of inward visits and trade missions by Indian firms in recent years, some of which have been organised by the Law Society, have led to referral arrangements being made with the UK’s medium and smaller sized firms, as well as the larger firms.

While the Indian legal services market remains closed to foreign firms, the Law Society says there are many examples of the UK legal sector establishing vital links with India’s booming economy.

Firms such as Nabarro, Olswang, Cobbetts, Clyde & Co, Addleshaw Goddard, Marriott Harrison and Cumberland Ellis, as well as Burges Salmon, who developed links in India thanks to the first inward trade mission of Indian firms organised by the Law Society, are positioning themselves to benefit from India's economy.

To facilitate this further, the Law Society will be hosting its third annual India legal practice conference between 21 and 24 June in London and Leeds, featuring leading professionals from India, the UK and other EU jurisdictions.

Law Society President Robert Heslett says:

“The reality is foreign firms need to develop relationships with local firms in every market around the world.

“It is encouraging to see that it is not only the UK’s largest law firms who are building links with India, but the medium sized firms, as well as smaller firms, are also seeing the potential that India can offer and developing best friend relationships there. We are confident that the India legal practice conference we have organised will develop those links even further.

“The sharing of expertise in both markets as well as greater legal co-operation will only benefit all concerned. In the mean time, the Law Society will continue to encourage the Indian government and legal sector on the benefits of a more open legal services market.”

The Law Society conference is an opportunity for UK firms to network with those from the Indian market and develop professional relationships with firms.

Law firm Marriott Harrison is hosting a drinks reception on June 22 as part of the two-day conference. Gurmeet Sidhu, Partner of Marriott Harrison, says:

“Marriott Harrison is committed to developing and strengthening its links with India’s legal practitioners. India is an important region for us and it is our key objective to develop our practice to include India’s rapidly expanding market.

“The relationship between UK and India’s lawyers is mutually beneficial. As India’s businesses look to establish themselves in Europe it is law firms such as Marriott Harrison, in conjunction with their Indian based counterparts that will play an important role in making that happen.”

The sessions will include panel discussions on the current business and investment climate, EU-India cross border issues and private client work as well as keynote speeches by leading practitioners.

There will also be invaluable networking opportunities with businesses and law firms, an optional one day regional visit to Leeds for the delegation of Indian law firms and an update on the EU-India Free Trade Agreement and its implications for business.

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