India

Trilegal has firmly positioned itself as one of India’s leading disputes practices, with a broad and increasingly sophisticated offering across international arbitration, public and constitutional litigation, construction and infrastructure disputes, and tax controversy. The firm is particularly well regarded for its ability to manage complex matters that unfold simultaneously across arbitral tribunals and domestic courts, often involving regulatory, insolvency, or constitutional dimensions. Recent work highlights Trilegal’s strength in navigating multi‑forum proceedings where procedural coordination and strategic sequencing are critical to protecting client interests.

In international arbitration and court‑connected proceedings, the disputes team has been closely involved in overseeing high‑value investor and commercial disputes, including proceedings seated offshore and before Indian courts. On tax and regulatory disputes, the partners are engaged in technically detailed challenges to indirect tax demands arising from complex commercial transactions, while the construction and infrastructure practice draws on partner‑level experience in managing arbitrations and related litigation arising from large‑scale engineering and power projects.

International arbitration remains a central pillar of Trilegal’s disputes practice, with the team frequently instructed on high‑value, cross‑border matters seated both in India and offshore. A notable recent mandate has seen Trilegal advising Cleantech and Hexis in arbitration proceedings arising from a commercial dispute with ARS Steels, alongside Section 9 petitions before the Madras High Court. The counterparty sought interim relief in the form of attachment before judgment, alleging potential dissipation of assets.  The Trilegal team successfully resisted these measures by demonstrating that Hexis was financially capable of meeting any potential adverse award and that there was no evidence of intent to obstruct enforcement. On this basis, the petitions were disposed of without any adverse orders, reinforcing established principles governing interim relief in support of arbitration and underscoring the evidentiary threshold required to justify protective measures.

The firm has also demonstrated its ability to drive commercially decisive outcomes in investor disputes. In a separate mandate, the firm represented India RF in a Singapore‑seated arbitration conducted under the SIAC Rules against an investee company and its promoters following a failed investment. The proceedings concluded with a negotiated settlement formalised through a consent award, resulting in a recovery exceeding 150 % of the initial investment on a claim valued at approximately INR 612 crores. The matter illustrates the firm’s effectiveness in leveraging arbitration strategically to secure efficient commercial recovery in complex, cross‑border disputes involving both corporate and individual respondents.

Beyond arbitration, Trilegal has built a strong profile in technology‑linked disputes, particularly where private law claims intersect with constitutional and regulatory questions. The firm acted for the Wikimedia Foundation in closely watched litigation initiated by ANI Media before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India. The proceedings concern allegedly defamatory content published on Wikipedia and have traversed multiple judicial levels, including single‑judge and division bench proceedings as well as special leave petitions before the Supreme Court. The team played a central role in coordinating a multi‑forum litigation strategy that addresses not only defamation claims but also broader constitutional issues relating to freedom of expression and intermediary liability. Notably, the matter resulted in a significant Supreme Court judgment clarifying judicial limits on court‑ordered content takedowns, particularly in cases involving reporting on judicial proceedings. The team also assisted in devising a privacy‑preserving mechanism for service that protected the anonymity of platform users while maintaining procedural fairness. The matter remains ongoing and is widely regarded as having important implications for digital platforms and media organisations operating in India.

Construction and infrastructure disputes continue to form an important component of Trilegal’s contentious practice, with the firm regularly advising EPC contractors and subcontractors in arbitration proceedings arising from large‑scale power and infrastructure projects. Recent confidential mandates have involved claims relating to performance obligations, delay, termination, and payment disputes under complex engineering contracts, often running in parallel with insolvency‑related or property‑law proceedings before Indian courts and tribunals. While client identities and project details remain confidential, these matters reflect the firm’s experience in managing technically complex disputes involving overlapping questions of construction law, insolvency principles and arbitral jurisdiction, frequently across multiple fora.

The firm is also active in tax disputes, advising clients on challenges to indirect tax demands under India’s service tax and GST regimes. Recent work includes disputes concerning the classification of professional and commercial services and the availability of input tax credits, requiring detailed engagement with statutory interpretation and regulatory guidance. Although certain matters remain fully confidential, Trilegal’s tax controversy work highlights its ability to handle technically nuanced disputes with material financial exposure, often arising from broader commercial transactions and restructurings.

The dispute resolution practice is led by a deep bench of partners across offices, including Shankh Sengupta, Ashish Bhan, Nitesh Jain, Tine Abraham, Jafar Alam, Pallav Shukla, Siddharth Ranade, Anuj Berry, Vishrov Mukerjee, Milanka Chaudhury, Rajat Jariwal, Shalaka Patil, Mohit Rohatgi, Ketan Gaur, Sushmita Gandhi, and others, supported by an expanding cadre of counsel and senior associates promoted in recent years.

Client feedback

“The Delhi team was very prompt and efficient in work and technical aspects of law.” – Banking and financial services

“They are good with research and advisory.”– Government and regulatory

“The firm distinguished itself through clear communication and sound legal guidance. They safeguarded our position by advising on preventive measures, including the adoption of straightforward internal policies and the incorporation of appropriate contractual clauses, which helped us avoid potential notices and strengthen our compliance framework.” – Intellectual property

“The team was able to provide valuable advice based on Indian law to understand the implications of the options company has and also the pitfalls we should be worried about.” – Labour and employment

“Proactive, thorough and flexible” – Tax

Tine Abraham

“Excellent client management, great legal acumen and grasp on commercial wisdom as well.”

Kirti Balasumbramanian

“Her ability to grasp both the legal intricacies and the broader organizational dynamics allows her to provide advice that is not only technically sound but also strategically aligned with business realities. This balanced perspective makes her guidance highly practical and impactful in safeguarding our interests while supporting long‑term corporate objectives.” 

Sushmita Gandhi

“Ms. Gandhi is quite upfront and clear in her advice to the clients. She has never said no to any task and has been instrumental in getting favourable orders in litigations. She has been quite good at blending commercial with legal so as to ensure that the interests of the client are safeguarded.”

 Nitesh Jain

“He is excellent with strategy and scenario planning”

 Charandeep Kaur

“Charandeep is always accessible and able to provide the right lawyers for the work in quick time. As a relationship partner, she understands our company and its requirements well and helps to meet deadlines and the budget.”

 Jaideep Reddy

“Jaideep is a skilled dispute resolution lawyer known for his sharp analytical ability, strategic thinking, and calm, solution-oriented approach. His strong communication skills, ethical standards, and commitment to client service further enhance his reputation as a dependable and competent dispute resolution professional.”