LegallyIndia.com

The Republic of India celebrated its 60th birthday this short working week.

In Mumbai at least, deserted streets on Tuesday and a pensive time to look back. Also a good week to count chickens, amongst other things.

In Maharashtra and Goa vote counting started for the Bar Council elections - rural turnout in Pune was a staggering 79 per cent, in the city less than 50 per cent. It'll be an interesting fight. You might still be able to count the number of Indian senior female lawyers on a few hands but it could be that Indian law firms have created a better career environment for women here than in the UK or US. Read our analysis of women in India's legal profession for more.

NLSIU Bangalore students counted job offers this week, with its recruitment committee having secured jobs for 96 per cent of its next graduating batch. By most accounts, the climate is better than last year, with eight lucrative training contracts from UK firms also having been dished out.

Unlike India's constitution, the liberalisation debate has not turned much older, even after the Lawyers Collective judgment. In fact, judging by reader responses to an opinion piece arguing for foreign law firm entry, the debate is getting more heated if anything.

Start-up-heavy deals
Less than one-year old Delhi firm Axon has now advised on a $200m bond issue with Crawford Bayley, following its first IPO late last year. Argus and Nishith Desai Associates (NDA) acted on an Italo-Indian deal where ALMT Legal picked up its first Reliance private equity mandate. And Induslaw and Sand Hill Counsel bagged a Series C $15m fundraising with NDA.

Count the blogs
Legally India has launched a legal blogging competition with prize funds of Rs 1 lakh.

If you are a law student with something to say and would like some extra funds, read the rules and you could be blogging within one minute.

If you are a domestic or foreign practising lawyer or law firm and would like to share your thoughts and wisdom, please do. Prize funds can be donated to a charity of the lawyer's choice.

And if you are neither of the above but still feed the need to write, everyone is welcome.

Some of this week's blogs: a student's first account of mooting; a history of Indian national law school drama; a CA talks service tax; and Legal Popat who promises to be "every partner's dread and every associate's weapon".

 

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