We are a family of strong 800+ people including 470+ professionals working from 14 locations across India.
We have a rich heritage and enduring legacy which are pivotal in shaping trust, excellence, and unparalleled legal expertise, thus building a strong reputation and a trusted brand.
We started in 1985 in a single room set up by the two founders with no prior experience of working in a law firm. Both the founders had outstanding academic records and focused on their deep understanding of the law to form the foundation of the firm.
Integrity, Knowledge and Passion are the principles that resonate with every member of our LKS family and the work that we do. These values drive us to build a community of legally sound professionals and well-serviced clients.
Everything we have accomplished over the last four decades is a result of our unique way of thinking which is deeply influenced by our core values and principles that define us.
We and our professionals consistently garner appreciation for the quality of our services and the depth of our legal expertise. This consistent acknowledgment serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to exceed expectations.
We stay up-to-date and periodically share insightful commentary and analysis on the legal issues shaping businesses, both domestically and globally. Our opinionised articles offer fresh perspective on current burning issues, thus keeping you ahead of the curve.
In the recent past, the engagement of contract labour has witnessed a spike across various sectors, both in the manufacturing as well as service sectors. Presently, the framework of the contract labour is regulated by Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 (‘CLRA Act’). This may continue for one more year, as implementation of new Labour Codes may get delayed due to the massive second wave of Covid-19 across the country.
The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc by not only taking countless lives but also by robbing the families of their means to livelihood. Countries across the world are grappling with both economic and social breakdown. While vaccinations have started in most countries, there is a glaring difference in accessibility and affordability of vaccines, drugs and other resources required to combat Covid-19 pandemic between the developed, developing and least developed countries.
Union Budget 2021-22 (‘Budget’) was one of the most anticipated budgets given that it was the first Union Budget to be presented after the onset of the COVID pandemic. In the Budget, while the Finance Minister announced the repeal/suspension of a number of existing anti-dumping duties (‘ADD’) and countervailing duties (‘CVD’), the Finance Minister also proposed several legislative measures for strengthening the existing ADD and CVD mechanisms. With the recent enactment of the Finance Act, 2021
The automotive industry is a major contributor to the Indian economy. Currently, it is the fourth largest automotive sector in the world and is expected to come under top 3 automotive sectors in the world by 2026. The sector also accounts for about 15% of the country’s total tax collections.
Comparative Advertising is an aggressive form of marketing involving direct or veiled comparisons of one brand with one or more competing brands. Comparative advertisements may often lead to a legal tussle under the Indian Trademark Law.
The National Commission on Labour (‘NLC’), in its vast Report submitted in the year 2002, acknowledged the need to have separate definitions of the two terms ‘wages’ and ‘remuneration’, to avoid endless litigation. It proposed to include only basic wages and dearness allowance under ‘wages’, and all other payments including other allowances as well as overtime payment together with wages under ‘remuneration’.
In the current bureaucratic setup of taxation systems in India, the right to appeal is an important right. The right of appeal against the Orders by the Income Tax authorities under the Income Tax Act, 1961 (‘Act’) has been expressly conferred on the taxpayers. In disposing of these appeals, the appellate authorities have inherent power to grant stay against the tax demands raised by Income Tax officers.
The article discusses the recent surge in Quality Control Orders and the various challenges being faced by the industry. The author notes that at present import of raw material for use in manufacture of finished goods which would be exported, is also being denied if the imports are not in compliance of these quality control orders. He also discusses the applicability of such Orders on stock in hand.
Recently, on 22 January 2021, the Competition Commission of India (‘CCI’) released its key findings and observations from a study exploring the evolution of the sector and the present regulatory challenges relating to the sector. Through the study, the CCI assessed the market dynamics within the sector and highlighted developments in the sector which could lead to competition concerns in the present and foreseeable future
A registered proprietor of a trademark is required to remain cautious on misuse of the trademark by others, failing which he may be disentitled from taking any legal action against the alleged offenders. Such disentitlement, referred to as ‘acquiescence’, therefore is a concept that every trademark owner must know. The article discusses Section 33 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 while also analysing elements of acquiescence, burden of proof and various SC and HC decisions clarifying the concept.
The article attempts to discuss the dispute on the scope of distribution of electricity services by DISCOMs. The issue was ignited when CBIC issued a circular in 2018 stating that specified services provided by DISCOMs shall attract GST liability. Recently, the Rajasthan High Court relying upon a Gujarat High Court decision has quashed the circular and held that such services are exempted from GST. The article analyses the precise issue and the reasoning given by the High Courts.
Analyzing the amendments proposed by the Finance Bill, 2021 to undo the benefit pertaining to depreciation on goodwill, the article discusses some interesting issues like applicability of the amendments to business re-organizations concluded prior to 1 April 2021, impact on existing litigation and that whether transactions can be concluded by recognizing other intangibles? According to the author, it is necessary for the business to revisit the positions already taken to avoid such litigation.
The article discusses the recently issued IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 by the MEITY. Elaborately analysing the salient features of the Rules, including definitions, due diligence mechanism, grievance redressal by intermediaries, significant social media/ messaging intermediaries, code of ethics in relation to digital media, grievance redressal mechanism by publishers, etc., the article also points out certain shortcomings of the Rules.
The key challenges faced by the Indian agriculture industry are small farm holdings, low penetration of farmer producer organisations, lack of agri-data and low price realisation by the farmer.
The agricultural sector has seen significant developments in the past few years: government reforms, major solutions offered by the onset of technology, post-COVID changes in consumer preferences, legal changes warranted by the new Farm Acts.
