JSA in
News

Winmore Academy in Jakkur, Karnataka, has inaugurated a school-based Moot Courtroom, providing pre-university students with early exposure to legal practice. The facility simulates actual courtroom dynamics, encouraging critical thinking, articulation, and legal reasoning skills. Vivek K Chandy, Joint Managing Partner of JSA Advocates & Solicitors, appreciated the initiative, saying it instils critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and confidence to advocate for justice in students. The Moot Courtroom is designed to provide hands-on experience in legal proceedings, enabling students to understand the judicial system through active participation. Read Article

The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons to senior advocates Pratap Venugopal and Arvind Datar has sparked controversy, with the legal fraternity opposing the move. Lawyers argue that attorney-client privilege protects them from being summoned, and that such actions could undermine the independence of the judiciary. Divyam Agarwal, partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, stated that allowing investigative agencies to question advocates on advice given to clients would destabilize the foundation and independence of the legal profession. The ED has since withdrawn the summons and issued a circular guiding field formations to respect attorney-client privilege under Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. Read Article

Top law firms in India, like JSA Advocates & Solicitors, are increasingly promoting star professionals to equity partner roles, shifting from the traditional practice of rewarding only veteran partners with equity stakes. JSA has significantly increased its equity partners from 46 to 62, with most being groomed internally. The firm’s joint managing partner, Vivek K. Chandy, emphasized that their growth strategy focuses on partners aligning with their values. This trend reflects a broader talent war fuelled by India’s evolving legal landscape and growing demand for niche legal counsel. Other firms like Trilegal and Saraf & Partners are also promoting equity partners, with Trilegal having 144 equity partners and Saraf & Partners having 21 out of 42 partners as equity partners. Read Article

Finance lobby groups in India are undergoing a significant cultural shift as they transition into self-regulatory organisations (SROs), with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expecting them to act as a bridge between regulators and industry players. Anish Mashruwala, partner at JSA Advocates and Solicitors, notes that the idea of SROs is not to increase regulation but to allow for more decentralization, enabling industries to develop best practices. With multiple SROs emerging, coordination between them will be crucial, particularly for financial conglomerates with multiple businesses. The transition requires SROs to prioritize public interest, maintain objectivity, and demonstrate behavioural transparency. Read Article