Foreign Direct Investment & Technology Transfers

    Advising foreign investors, structuring of subsidiaries and joint ventures, identification of and negotiating with joint venture partners, advising on technology transfers and licensing & technical assistance/ services arrangements, obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals and advising on foreign direct investment policy issues.

Business Laws and Contracting

    Advising on all aspects of corporate, legal commercial and company affairs, including formation of legal entities in India and overseas, contracting and transactional documentation including agency and distribution, franchising and licensing, and on day-to-day legal issues.

Banking and Financial Services

    In banking and finance practice area, members of the KSA team have represented both lenders and borrowers and are well experienced in structuring full recourse, limited recourse and non-recourse financing transactions.

In capital market and securities practice area, members of the KSA team have structured innovative transactions for acquiring listed companies and acquisition of control of listed companies consequent to international mergers and acquisitions and handled projects involving IPOs and raising funds from capital markets and trade finance.

Mergers and Acquisitions

    Members of the KSA team have handled diverse and complex takeovers, mergers, acquisitions, management buy-outs and divestiture projects. Acquisition projects handled include acquisition of specialty chemical unit, consumer goods units, food and confectionery business, information technology companies, media and entertainment companies and acquisition of closely held companies and widely held listed companies. KSA has also advised the Government of India on its disinvestment programme in respect of ITDC Hotels and RCF.

Information Technology/ Telecommunications

    KSA has an active and focused practice in the area of information technology and knowledge based industries. Projects handled by KSA team include setting up technology companies, internet start-ups, e-commerce ventures, consumer electronic and entertainment ventures, software development and licensing contracts, intellectual property rights protection, call centers and back-office processing ventures and designing and implementation of ESOPs.

Advice on structuring telecom companies (basic and cellular) and investments, advice on project bids, diverse issues relating to telecom licenses, telecom regulations and policies, acquisition and divestment of telecom companies, ISP and Value Added Service Providers.

Corporate Finance

    KSA team members have handled diverse projects involving raising of finance by corporate clients, corporate restructuring and subsidiary development. Projects handled include raising of funds from capital markets, banks, and financial institution, for funding project finance and working capital requirements. Members have handled projects involving raising of external commercial borrowings by corporate clients

Intellectual Property

    KSA has an active practice in the area of intellectual property law, trademarks, copyrights, patents, designs, and other industrial property rights. The services rendered include counseling on the nature and extent of IP protection available in India, assisting in searching for and registering trade marks, copyrights, patents and designs, handling all post-registration aspects including enforcement of IP rights, in-licensing and out-licensing, loan licensing, addressing needs in the newly emerging areas of cyber law including handling domain name disputes, dealing with various Intellectual Property issues including those relating to software, internet, entertainment and manufacturing industries, advising both overseas and domestic clients on the challenging, enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights including trademarks, copyrights and patents. Projects handled by the KSA Team include assisting in drafting, filing and prosecuting through all phases of the enforcement and defense of intellectual property rights. The KSA Team has handled assignments in various fields including manufacturing, technology, chemistry, life sciences, engineering and business methods.

Broadcasting, Entertainment & Media

    KSA has an active practice in the area of broadcasting, entertainment & media. The services rendered include advisory services for on-going operational matters such as on content, broadcasting, distribution, etc. for both television and radio and on transaction specific support services such as in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other strategic alliances. KSA is assisting clients in drafting, reviewing and advising on various agreements relating to programming, distribution, advertisement, etc. and obtaining the governmental and regulatory approvals.

Real Estate

    The Real Estate practice covers a broad range of matters involving all aspects of property and real estate laws. Members of the KSA team have represented owners, investors, developers and lessees in a wide variety of transactions including sale & purchase, lease, sub-lease, leave & license, develop & lease, construction contracts, collaboration agreements, joint ventures, architect, interior and contractor agreements, maintenance services and facilities agreements, mortgage, agency, power of attorney, termination and dispute resolution, etc. In addition to the Legal and Regulatory services spanning across the drafting, reviewing & negotiating of transaction documentation, due diligence and title search reports to legal advice on issues relating to stamp duty and registration, KSA has gained client confidence in assisting clients with negotiations of commercial terms.

Infrastructure

    In the Infrastructure Practice, the Firm is rendering advice and undertaking transactional work in a wide area of infrastructure projects such as power generation, telecommunications, roads, bridges, ports, and urban infrastructure projects such as water supply and sewerage systems. Assignments include structuring and negotiation of related joint venture consortia and project finance agreements, offering advice on issues arising during project execution, operating and maintenance agreements, concession agreements, construction and equipment supply contracts. Members of the KSA team have been engaged on transactions where the responsibility included suggesting suitable modifications to the existing legislation to enable private participation in construction and development of roads, advising the clients on regulatory issues and land acquisition issues.

Insurance

    KSA has an active and focused practice in the insurance sector. Its clients include leading joint venture companies engaged in life insurance business and non-life insurance business. Members of the KSA team are well versed in the formation of joint ventures in the insurance sector as well as providing on-going support in diverse areas including inter alia, product development, agency, distribution, compliance and regulatory issues, to companies engaged in the insurance business. KSA also engages in on-going interaction with the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority on issues relating to policy formulation.

Employment Laws

    KSA has extensive experience in advising both domestic and international clients on various issues related to labour, employment, social security and industrial relation laws. KSA has been involved in advising clients on complex legal and regulatory aspects of human resource, labour and industrial relations, obligations and compliances of employers thereunder, consequences of non-compliance, issues related to employment termination, downsizing of workforce, transfer of employees, change in service conditions, contract labour, superannuation/ voluntary retirement schemes etc. The Firm advises and supports its client to align its human resource strategies and polices to be most effective for business as well as be legally compliant. The Firm, inter alia, advises clients on issues such as gratuity, bonus, provident fund, employee state insurance, structuring employee benefits, issues related to health and safety of employees, non-compete, non-solicitation, privacy, discrimination and harassment, etc.

Tax - Direct & Indirect

    Advising clients on corporate taxation, financial structuring, Income Tax Act, Wealth Tax Act, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements, Customs, Excise and Service Tax matters, including assessments and appeals, and on day-to-day legal issues in taxation. "Monika K. Sapra & Associates" is an associate firm of Chartered Accountants, which provides services in all areas of finance, tax, audit (statutory and internal) and accounting services.

Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution

    The Litigation practice covers a broad range of matters involving corporate and commercial laws and appearances before various judicial and quasi-judicial forums and tribunals including the Supreme Court of India, State High Courts and the various District Courts, Competition Commission of India, erstwhile Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission, Company Law Board, Regional Director, Debt Recovery Tribunal, Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal, Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, Central Administrative Tribunal, Regulators and Regulatory Commissions, etc. The Litigation Practice includes handling of arbitration matters involving both domestic and international arbitrations.