CROSS BORDER PRACTICE
Frontline Law Partners advises international businesses and investors at every stage of their engagement with the Indian market, from the first investment decision through establishment, investment processes and compliances, legal documents, frameworks and policies for day-to-day operations and, where necessary, the resolution of disputes. The Firm acts as a single point of contact for Indian law and advises international clients across different states in India. The Firm also advises Indian clients looking to invest overseas and otherwise engage in cross border transactions, both from a contractual standpoint as well as issues and compliances under Indian foreign exchange laws and foreign trade laws.
How We Work
Every new cross-border engagement is preceded by a conflicts and regulatory screening, consistent with our professional obligations. Matters are handled by a dedicated team drawn from the Firm's practice groups, with a Partner being involved throughout, and are coordinated internally so that an engagement touching corporate, regulatory and disputes issues is managed as a single mandate.
ADVISORY
Foreign Investment, Inward and Outbound
We advise on foreign investment, covering investment into India by international businesses, as well as outbound investment by Indian businesses expanding abroad. Our work includes advice on entry routes and sectoral conditions, investment structuring, instruments and pricing requirements, and the reporting and compliance obligations that follow under Indian foreign exchange laws and regulations
Reserve Bank of India and Exchange Control Advisory
We advise on regulatory questions arising under the foreign exchange control framework administered by the Reserve Bank of India, including matters that require approvals and filings for cross-border trade and services, remittance or repatriation of funds, and rectifying any non-compliances
Commercial Contracts
We are active in drafting, reviewing and negotiating the full range of contracts an international business requires for its Indian operations, including investment and shareholders agreements, employment contracts, vendor and supplier agreements, service agreements, licensing arrangements, and distribution, agency arrangements and other such commercial contracts. For overseas clients we also advise on governing law, enforceability in India and the adaptation of global templates to Indian legal requirements, and we coordinate with counsel in other jurisdictions where required. We advise on each of these and coordinate with counsel in other jurisdictions where a transaction spans more than one legal system
DATA PROTECTION
We advise international businesses on Indian data protection law as it applies to operations that cross borders, including the obligations of overseas businesses that collect or process personal data of individuals in India, the transfer of personal data between India and other jurisdictions, and the alignment of a client's global privacy programme, built around frameworks such as the GDPR, with the requirements of Indian legislation (being the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. This allows a client to run a single coherent compliance programme rather than maintaining an Indian exception.
Establishment of Indian Entities
We assist international clients in establishing their Indian presence, including the choice between a wholly owned subsidiary, a joint venture, a limited liability partnership or a branch or liaison office, and the incorporation and registration process that follow. We work in close collaboration with chartered accountants and company secretaries so that the legal, tax, accounting and secretarial workstreams proceed as one coordinated exercise rather than as separate engagements
General Counsel Support
We act as Indian counsel to global general counsel, providing Indian law input that integrates with their global legal functions. For international clients without an in-house legal team in India, we serve as external general counsel, providing ongoing support across contracts, compliance, and corporate matters. We are active in discussions and meeting with their global teams, to advise on Indian laws issues, covering contracts as well as regulatory and governance norms
Labour and Employment Advisory
We advise international employers on Indian labour and employment law from the perspective of a business managing an Indian workforce from abroad. Our work includes the engagement of first hires before an Indian entity is set up, the structuring of employment, secondment and contractor arrangements, adapting of global employment contracts and HR policies to Indian statutory requirements, compliance across central and state legislation, including state-specific shops and establishments regimes, workplace conduct obligations, and the employment aspects of establishing, restructuring or winding down Indian operations
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
&
ENFOrCEMENT
Expert Representation in Cross-Border Disputes
We represent overseas parties in disputes with Indian counterparties across the full range of forums, including litigation before the Indian courts and the enforcement of foreign judgments in India, including judgments from jurisdictions outside India's list of reciprocating territories, where enforcement follows a distinct procedural route. Our advice addresses the questions that determine strategy in such matters, including the appropriate forum, the enforceability of a foreign award or judgment in India, and the interim protection available while proceedings are pending.
The Firm maintains a dedicated arbitration practice for disputes governed by arbitration agreements, led by a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, with institutional experience and enforcement experience under Part II of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. For cross-border disputes where the parties prefer a negotiated resolution, the firm also offers international mediation through an IMI-certified mediator.​​