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 understand the constant need to stay informed about the latest developments in your field. In this section, we curate the most relevant and impactful updates covering developments in various laws.
Refund due to inverted rate structure – Supreme Court urges GST Council to reconsider the formula
The Supreme Court of India has strongly urged the GST Council to reconsider the formula relating to calculation of refund due to inverted duty structure and take a policy decision regarding the same. The Court in its decision dated 13 September 2021 noted that the practical effect of the formula might result in certain inequities and anomalies.
Champagne as a service – Protection to product PDO also available where the disputed sign designates a service
The Court of Justice of the European Union has held that Article 103(2)(b) of the EU Regulation No. 1308/2013 does not require that the product protected by a Protected Designation of Origin (‘PDO’) and the product or service covered by the disputed sign be identical or similar.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for textiles approved by Union Cabinet
As part of the earlier announcement of PLI Schemes for 13 sectors, the Union Government has, on 8 September 2021, approved a Production Linked Incentive Scheme for textiles. The Scheme with a budgetary outlay of INR 10,683 crore over five years, will be applicable for man-made fiber (MMF) apparel, MMF fabrics and 10 segments/products of technical textiles.
The Ministry of Finance in the press conference held on 14 September 2019 had announced the rollout of Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (‘RoDTEP’) scheme replacing the existing MEIS scheme.
Area-based exemption – Limitation for filing applications for special rates
The Gauhati High Court has held that application for fixation of special rate of value addition under Notification No. 17/2008-C.E. as amended by Notification 31/2008-C.E. ought not to have dismissed by the Department on grounds of limitation when such applications were filed immediately after the decision of the Supreme Court dated 22 April 2020 in the case of VVF Ltd.
Retrospectivity cannot be presumed by use of words ‘for removal of doubt’
A provision in a tax law cannot be presumed to be retrospective if it alters or changes the law as it earlier stood, even if it uses the words ‘for the removal of doubt’. Reiterating this, the Supreme Court of India has allowed the appeal of an assessee in a case where debentures were issued in favour of financial institutions in lieu of interest accrued and payable to the financial institutions.
Online gaming – Madras HC quashes law prohibiting games played for stake even if involving skill
The Madras High Court has struck down the amendment in the Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930, which prohibited all forms of games being conducted in cyberspace, irrespective of the game involved being a game of mere skill, if such game is played for a wager, bet, money or other stake. The amendment was brought in by an Ordinance last year and was formalised by the Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 recently.
Parliamentary Committee recommends re-establishment of IPAB and many changes in Indian patent regime
The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce has on 23 July 2021 submitted its Report reviewing the intellectual property rights regime in India. The Committee in its 161st Report submitted before both the Houses of the Indian Parliament, while recommending the re-establishing the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (‘IPAB’), has also suggested many changes in the Patents Act, 1970.
Customs brokers licence and registration under sea cargo regulations to be valid for lifetime
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (‘CBIC’) has abolished the renewals of licence/registration under the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2021 and the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations, 2018. The licenses/registrations once issued these Regulations would thus be valid for lifetime.
Consumer protection – Article in newspaper, providing inaccurate health advice, is not ‘defective product’
The Court of Justice of the European Union has held that an article in a printed newspaper that provides inaccurate health advice relating to the use of a plant which, when followed, proved injurious to the health of a reader, does not constitute a ‘defective product’ within the meaning of the EU’s Directive on liability for defective products.
