Shardul Shroff

The Amarchand Mangaldas Delhi-region partnership, led by Shardul Shroff who is in the final stages of a separation with the half of the firm led by his brother Cyril from Mumbai since November 2014, on Tuesday for the first time announced internally that the firm was likely to split, subject to the outcome of the still ongoing mediation between the brothers that is set to conclude at the end of this month.

Amarchand Delhi’s Shardul Shroff is set to take two additional office spaces in Mumbai after mediation will end, including the soon-to-be-ex Nariman Point office of AZB & Partners.

The mediators between brothers Cyril and Shardul Shroff of Amarchand Mangaldas gave the green light for both to begin setting up new offices.

Amarchand Mangaldas Delhi and Mumbai regions, managed by brothers Shardul and Cyril Shroff respectively, have agreed to split into two firms by 1 April 2015, confirmed three independent sources.

The deadline for filing the Bombay high court counter affidavit by Amarchand Mangaldas Mumbai managing partner Cyril Shroff to rebut his brother Shardul’s case has been extended for the second time to 20 February 2015.

The court-sanctioned mediation between the brothers has been extended too from its earlier closing date of 31 December 2014 to the end fo January, after a Bombay high court hearing yesterday.

It might lead to the break-up of India’s largest law firm, but Shroff vs Shroff doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ve distilled it for you and shared the court documents.

The dispute between Amarchand Mangaldas brothers would most likely result in a split of the firm into two separate entities, said an authoritative source with close knowledge of the Mumbai side of the dispute.

Senior counsel Iqbal Chagla told the Bombay high court in his closing remarks that his client Cyril Shroff would be filing an affidavit showing the “deep involvement” of his brother in the will.

Live from Bombay high court court room number 10 today, before Justice RD Dhanuka.

Amarchand Mangaldas Delhi managing partner Shardul Shroff has filed legal action in the Bombay high court against his brother and Mumbai-region managing partner Cyril Shroff.

In an interview to UK legal magazine Legal Week, headlined as “Amarchand sizes up options for first international base as India's unlevel playing field continues to frustrate”, Amarchand Mangaldas Delhi managing partner Shardul Shroff said that the firm was thinking about opening an office abroad.

He told Legal Week:

“Singapore [is the strongest contender] because its links with India are quite strong… Singapore enables clients to service the whole of the ASEAN market… But it could be Hong Kong, London, Dubai or New York – it depends on what 2016 looks like. It also depends where clients need us…

“It would have to be an office of significance, not just a representative office where you receive the mail… We want to do it properly. We also don't want to disturb our international relationships with global law firms – we want to preserve these. But equally we want to provide Indian expertise that is relevant to the international market. We want to be present in markets where the local Indian situation becomes relevant; approaching the clients on their doorstep rather than expecting them to come to India…

“There are firms that have gone to China or Singapore but their offices are small and not significant enough to make a statement on behalf of Indian lawyers.”

Full article behind paywall at Legal Week [with free 2 week trial sign-up]

Amarchand Mangaldas Delhi managing partner Shardul Shroff has released a statement explaining the events surrounding the Company Law Board (CLB) imposing a fine of Rs 50,000 and justifying the termination of employment of two allegedly responsible associates, as reported by Legally India yesterday.

In today’s edition of Mint: Legally India reveals Cyril and Shardul Shroff’s, and Boston Consulting Group’s masterplan to take the firm to the next level of a Rs 1,000 crore ($203m) turnover, while securing the future of future generations of the family.

Exclusive: Amarchand Mangaldas Delhi managing partner Shardul Shroff will start a separate company that will offer virtual international arbitration services from India, and includes its own arbitration rules and state-of-the-art technology.

Amarchand & Mangaldas, India’s biggest law firm, has all the trappings of a family-run enterprise including sibling rivalry. The Shroff brothers must quickly set their house in order, argues Forbes India magazine's Shloka Nath.

The Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) is hoping to widen its appeal outside of its traditional centre Delhi by strengthening local metro chapters and inducting new committee members.

SILF's Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and other regional chapters will be headed by prominent local lawyers.

Amarchand Mangaldas Delhi's joint chief financial officer (CFO) and chief operating officer (COO) Bithika Anand has resigned after almost 11 years with the firm, as Amarchand Delhi's auditors have temporarily stepped in until a replacement can be found.