India
About
We are one of the most experienced international firms for India-related, cross-border legal services. We represent multinational corporations, financial institutions and funds from around the world pursuing opportunities in India. We also advise Indian companies and financial institutions on their international transactions and disputes.
Our core India team is based in the three top markets that generate India-related, cross-border matters: New York, Singapore and London. They work with our lawyers in offices around the world, bringing together different practice areas and legal knowledge to provide fully coordinated advice.
In relation to India, we are at the forefront of M&A, private equity, capital markets, project development and financing, leveraged financing, fund formation, dispute resolution and general corporate advisory work. As with all international law firms, Indian regulations do not permit us to practice Indian law. We work closely with a number of law firms in India. We do not have an exclusive or special relationship with any single Indian firm as we want the freedom to choose local lawyers who have the experience to service our clients with the highest level of quality and responsiveness.
Strength across practice areas
Private equity & M&A
We represent clients investing in India through control acquisitions, minority investments and joint ventures. We also advise Indian companies in their investments and mergers and acquisitions activities outside India.
Capital markets
We represent issuers, underwriters, investors and other participants on their debt, equity and derivative offerings around the world, including Rule 144A and Regulation S offerings and registered offerings in all of the international markets from which Indian issuers raise capital.
Energy, infrastructure, project and asset finance
We regularly represent multilateral financial institutions, developers, international commercial and investment banks, Indian financial institutions and banks, export credit agencies and other participants in project development and financing in the power, oil and gas, transportation and other infrastructure sectors.
Bank finance and restructuring
We regularly represent lenders and borrowers in cross-border financing transactions. Our practitioners are steeped in knowledge of the latest local and international techniques across banking, insolvency, restructuring and litigation.
Dispute resolution
We handle arbitration proceedings (under the rules of all major international and regional arbitral institutions) and other modes of alternative dispute resolution. We advise clients from both common and civil law systems.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Tier 1 for India–Foreign Firms
(Three consecutive years)
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2024
Band 1 – Dispute Resolution: (Expertise Based Abroad)
Chambers Global 2024
Named "India International Law Firm of the Year"
Chambers Asia-Pacific and Greater China Region Awards 2024
Awarded three deals of the year
India Business Law Journal 2024
Top foreign law firm for India-related work
(Four consecutive years)
India Business Law Journal 2024
#1 India M&A (among international firms) by deal value
Bloomberg Q1 2023
Winner of Asian Law Firm of the Year for India Practice
ALB India Law Awards 2022
"With notable strength in capital markets, corporate and M&A, and disputes, the India practice at White & Case LLP acts for an impressive roster of high-profile international clients seeking to invest in India, as well as advising Indian clients on their investments abroad."
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: India – Foreign Firms 2024
"A well-rounded group of lawyers who are easy to work with. They always are very responsive and flexible when it comes to meeting the client's needs."
"They come up with out-of-the-box solutions and suggest the easiest or innovative ways of dealing with complex issues while addressing our complicated queries."
Chambers Asia-Pacific: India 2023
"They have great experience in their ranks of folks who have worked in India and investments into India while being a global firm with a strong network. This is invaluable for investments into India from overseas."
"Partners with good experience in the India investment / M&A / Corporate Legal environment who are very knowledgeable and responsive. Solution oriented approach."
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: India – Foreign Firms 2023
Experience
Investigation of a target company
A global entertainment company on an investigation of business operations of a target company in an acquisition.
Mubadala’s first direct investment in the Indian infrastructure sector
Mubadala Investment Company on its investment alongside BCI in a roads platform in India.
Road acquisitions in India
Adani Road Transport Ltd (ARTL) on the English law aspects of its acquisition of a 56.8 percent stake in Gujarat Road and Infrastructure Company Ltd (GRICL) and a 100 percent stake in Swarna Tollway Private Ltd (STPL) from two Macquarie- sponsored infrastructure funds.
Integration deal with Jio Platforms
WhatsApp Inc. in the technology, commerce and product integration deal associated with the US$5.7 billion investment by Facebook (now Meta) in Jio Platforms.
Largest unrated term loan B from Asia-Pacific and the largest ever from India to date*
Byju's Pte. Ltd. on a US$1.2 billion term loan B facility arranged by Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan.
High-value investment treaty award
Republic of India in enforcement proceeding on a high-value investment treaty award arising from the termination of a contract between Devas and the Indian space agency. We also represented India in defending the enforcement by Cairn of a US$1.4 billion investment arbitration award issued under the India-UK BIT.
Headline data center investments in India
Brookfield Infrastructure on the investment by Reliance Industries Ltd. to expand Brookfield's joint venture with Digital Realty Ltd. to develop high-quality, highly connected scalable data centers to meet the critical infrastructure needs of enterprises and digital services companies in India. We also advised Brookfield Infrastructure on its initial establishment of the 50:50 joint venture with Digital Realty. Upon closing, the joint venture will operate under the brand name Digital Connexion: A Brookfield, Jio and Digital Realty Company.
Various acquisition finance matters with global private equity clients
Advent International on a number of acquisition finance, structured finance and margin loan transactions in India, including the leveraged financings for its acquisitions of RA Chem Pharma, ZCL Chemicals, Eureka Forbes, Avra Labs and TTK Healthcare pharma business. We also advised Advent International on the refinancing and upsize of the facility used for its acquisition of Manjushree Technopak.
IPO of leading company in the Indian electrical sector
The book running lead managers on the IPO of RR Kabel Limited, a leading Indian wire and cable supplier backed by TPG Asia VII SF Pte. Ltd. This is a significant IPO, which received a strong positive response from investors, raising approximately INR 19.64 billion, or US$235 million, and with the issue oversubscribed by 18 times and listed at a premium of 15.43 percent.
Acquisition of Larsen & Toubro's electrical & automation business
Schneider Electric, in partnership with Temasek Holdings Private Limited (Temasek), on its INR 14,000 crore acquisition of Larsen & Toubro Electrical & Automation business. This deal was awarded "Deal of the Year" in 2020 by India Business Law Journal.
Market-leading owners and operators of clean energy projects in India
US$500 million novel high-yield issue by Greenko, the largest owner and operator of renewable energy projects in India. This was a joint venture between the founders of Greenko and GIC in buying out the business from public shareholders for US$250 million.
The qualified institutions placement (QIP) of a leading Indian private sector bank
The book running lead managers on the QIP of The Federal Bank Limited aggregating to INR 30,399.92 million (approximately US$370 million). The Federal Bank Limited is a private scheduled commercial bank in India and it offers a wide range of products and services in the retail and wholesale banking segment, such as deposits, loans against property, automobile loans, credit cards, business loans, commercial vehicle and construction equipment loans and agricultural loans.
Financing of a renewable project
Proposed financing of a 450 MW solar-wind hybrid power project in Rajasthan, India.
Debt financing for the acquisition of the largest private hospital chain in the state of Maharashtra
Barclays Bank PLC as the original mandated lead arranger and Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch as facility agent of a US$110 million debt financing to a vehicle of Ontario Teachers Pension Plan for the acquisition of a controlling stake in Sahyadri Hospitals Group. This matter was the sponsor's first standalone private equity investment into India.
Landmark arbitration awards
Won precedent-setting arbitration awards and judgments in favor of various clients.
*As of 2022
