Glimpses 2012

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The 3rd Government Law College International Law Summit, held from 3rd to 5th February, 2012, comprised of wide ranging lectures, panel discussions, competitions and paper presentations. The ramifications of international trade in the new economic scenario have transnational consequences that alter the course of global policy. Keeping this in mind, the third edition of the Summit, focused on ‘International Trade Law and Economic Policy’. A resounding success, the Summit received a wide audience, spanning the spectrum of students and professors from across the globe, tax professionals, trade analysts, corporates, general counsels, media persons and members of the legal fraternity. The first day opened with a Key Note Address by Mr.Nishith Desai, Founder and Managing Partner, Nishith Desai Associates. Mr. Desai addressed the sizable gathering on the theme for the day - “Globalizing India Incorporated”. “Globalisation is a mindset and how you think is the main issue”, said Mr. Desai. Mr. Nishith Desai set the theme for the day and handed the reins over to the venerable speakers. Mr.Anshuman Sharma, Country General Counsel for Novartis India and third speaker for the day delved into the “Current state of Patent Laws in India” and presented a unique and fresh perspective of Indian Patent laws in the backdrop of globalizing India incorporated. The seminars also focused on “Developing a robust corporate law regime: Analysis of the New Companies Bill” and “Outbound Investments: Regulations and Protection”. Post the seminars, the Souvenir of the 3rd Government Law College International Law Summit, 2012 was unveiled by the dignitaries on the dais Judge R.B. Malik, Principal, Government Law College, Mr. Nishith Desai, Founder & Managing Partner, Nishith Desai Associates, Mr. Kishu Daswani, Professor, Government Law College and Ms. Shreya Ramesh, President, SPIL Mumbai.

The unveiling of the Souvenir was followed by an engaging Panel Discussion on “Tax Havens: The Reality &The Myth : Role & Issues surrounding Tax Havens”. The Panelists for the evening included Mr. Saumitra Chaudhuri, Member, Planning Commission and Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister who joined us via web conferencing from New Delhi, Mr. Somasekhar Sundaresan, Partner, Jyoti Sagar Associates, Mr. Geoff Cook and Mr. Philip Van Hilten, who also joined us from overseas. The Panel, deftly moderated by Mr. Desai, comprehensively examined stringent tax countries, tax havens and the trend towards viewing tax havens in a positive light vis-a-vis the burning issue of money laundering. In keeping with the theme of the Summit, SPIL organized a ‘Call for Papers’ on all subjects within the broad spectrum of the theme. The realm of the theme facilitated contributions on the general subthemes of International Trade Law, International Investment Law and International Taxation. The Paper presentations by two joint winners of the competition brought day one to a close. After a successful and productive Day One, Day Two commenced with a highly interactive and informative Key Note Address by Ms.Zia Mody, Senior Partner, AZB & Partners. She addressed the delegates of the Summit on “Topics for young lawyers to watch for”. Setting the theme for the day   “Doing business in India-Decoding the Corporate Law Martix”, Ms. Mody primarily addressed the concerns of young lawyers and law students in making a career choice. As young lawyers you carry only your integrity and dignity. “You needn’t sacrifice your sense of integrity for a client, who ever they maybe. It’ a choice you have”, said Ms. Mody. Ms. Mody’s address was followed by a Seminar by Mr. Shardul Thacker, Senior Partner, Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe. Mr. Thacker addressed the gathering on “International Arbitration & India”. He covered pertinent issues surrounding International Arbitration in India and its relevance to the corporate sector. Mr. Thacker’s address was followed by a Seminar by Mr. Abhijit Joshi, CEO & Senior Partner, AZB & Partners and Mr. Nandish Vyas, Senior Associate, AZB & Partners, on “Antitrust treatment of cross border M&A’s“. They effectively covered key aspects of Competition Law in Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions. The finale of the summit was hosted by SPIL, Mumbai at the opulent Sahyadri Guest House on the 5th of February. The day saw the conclusion of the Treaty Appreciation and Judgment Deliberation Competitions hosted by the Summit in adition to a venerated line up of speakers. The events kicked off with a seminar on “Competition Law – An Insight” by Mr. Amit Manubarwala, Partner, Wadia Ghandy & Co. The seminar put forth the nuances of Competition Law, providing an overview of this niche and emerging legal field. After an enlightening start, Prof. James Ndumpara, Asst. Dean and Executive Director, Centre for Trade and Economic Laws, Jindal Global Law School presented a seminar on “Predatory Pricing: Recent Trends in law and Practice”.

Novel in concept and implementation, the two competitions of the International Law Summit received tremendous appreciation and encouragement from the legal fraternity.

Treaty Appreciation Competition

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The Treaty Appreciation Competition witnessed exciting debates, an engaging exchange of ideas and a brilliant interaction between the Special Rapporteurs, Mr. A. David Ambrose, Professor, University of Madras and Mr. Kishu Daswani, Professor, Government Law College. Participants critiqued the hypothetical proposed amendment to Art. 1 of the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs and recommend alterations, deletions or additions therein. The Competition fulfilled its aim of mobilizing a culture of innovation and problem solving. Renowned International Law expert, Prof. A. David Ambrose observed, “It is a wonderful competition which provides opportunity to students to indulge in international treaty negotiations”. The ‘Best Team’ and ‘2nd Best Team’ awards went to Indian Law Society, Pune and NALSAR School of Law, Hyderabad respectively, while the ‘Best Critique’ and ‘Best Member’ awards were swept by NALSAR School of Law, Hyderabad and Ms. Ayesha Wijayalath of Srilanka College of Law respectively.

Judgment Deliberation Competition

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Whilst arriving at a unique judgment that is infallible in law, rational in thought and innovative in its essence; participants are expected to deliberate on the basis of parallel and balanced arguments. The competition successfully achieved its objective of broadening perspectives and encouraging rationalization and innovative thinking. The Judgment Deliberation Competition proved to be a brilliant session of competitive discussion, the finals of which was presided over by esteemed judges, Mr. A. K. Chauhan, Director General, Competition Commission of India, Mr. S.L Bunker, Secretary, Competition Commission of India, Mr. Shardul Thacker, Senior Partner, Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe, Mr. Amit Manubarwala, Partner, Wadia Ghandy & Co. and Mr. James Nedumpara, Professor, Jindal Global Law School. The ‘Best Team’ and ‘2nd Best Team’ awards went out to India Law Society, Pune & National Law University, Jodhpur, respectively, while the ‘Best Judgment’ and ‘2nd Best Judgment’ awards were bagged by Symbiosis Law School, Noida and jointly by Indian Law Society, Pune and Sri Lanka Law College, Sri Lanka respectively. The Valedictory Ceremony marked the end of the third and final day of the International Law Summit, 2012. A vote of thanks by Ms. Shreya Ramesh, President SPIL Mumbai and Prof. Sunita Masani, Chairman, SPIL Mumbai, tied together the events of the day bringing to a close the 3rd Government Law College International Law Summit, 2012.

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