Education
B.Com. (Hon.), LL.B. from Delhi University (graduated in 1988)
Practice Area/ Industry Focus:
International and Domestic Commercial Arbitration & Mediation, Aviation and Maritime Laws, Trademark Laws/ Intellectual Property Laws, Foreign Direct Investment/ Commercial or Corporate Laws, Oil and Gas, Infrastructure and Construction
Highlights of Professional Journey
Mr. Krrishan Singhania is the Founder and Managing Partner of the Firm and is a seasoned professional having a comprehensive experience of more than 30 years. He specialises in the field of International and Domestic Commercial Arbitration & Mediation, Aviation and Maritime Laws Intellectual Property Laws, and Commercial and Corporate Laws. He is considered a veteran in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution and has consistently been ranked amongst the top 100 lawyers and legal icons of the country in the annual A-List feature of India Business Law Journal in the years 2019 and 2020. Owing to his experience of working as a foreign lawyer in New York and London, he brings international best practices to the Firm.
Under his leadership, the Firm has been awarded by India Business Law Journal as the Indian Law Firm of 2020 & 2019 in the area of Maritime and Shipping. The Firm has also been ranked as Tier 4 Law Firm in the field of Commercial and Transactions, Tier 5 Law Firm in the field of Construction and a Notable Firm in the field of International Arbitration, by Benchmark Litigation in the year 2020. Resolution Team of the Year.
Mr. Krrishan Singhania started his legal career under the guidance and mentorship of his father, Mr. D. C. Singhania, who was a legal pioneer and one of the firsts to have established an international law firm in India in the year 1969 with offices both in U.K. and U.S.A. In order to further his father’s legacy Mr. Krrishan Singhania founded his own boutique law firm in Mumbai in the year 1993.
Mr. Krrishan Singhania has robust experience in advising and representing both domestic and foreign clients before various courts and tribunals including Supreme Court of India Bombay High Court, and National Company Law Tribunal. He is known for having a specialisation in disputes relating to the fields of Maritime, Construction, Oil and Gas, and Aviation. Under his leadership, the Firm and its lawyers have been instrumental in establishing some important legal principles. One of his landmark cases includes defending a foreign airline against Airport Authority of India before the Bombay High Court. The Airport Authority had filed a case against his client for unpaid landing and parking charges that were agreed upon in a lease contract. He, along with the Firm, was successful in defending his client and getting back the leased aircrafts of his client.
With his vast experience and expertise, Mr. Krrishan Singhania has proven his strengths in offering world-class services in the field of arbitration. He has been successful in representing his Clients in international and domestic arbitrations under ICC Rules, CENTA Rules, and the London Metal Exchange Arbitration Rules; and in enforcement of arbitration awards in favour of his client. In the field of Insolvency and Bankruptcy laws, Mr. Krrishan Singhania has been successful in filing claims of both domestic and foreign creditors and has assisted them in seeking an amicable settlement with the opposite party. As an able guide he handles new challenges with ease and utilizes his competencies to achieve client objectives.
When India opened up the aviation sector for private participation, Mr. Singhania worked for foreign aircraft leasing companies to lease their aircrafts to newly setup private airlines in India. He has been actively involved in assisting international companies to set up business in India. He has assisted them right from securing permission from the Reserve Bank of India/ Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal to effectively drafted critical documents such as Joint Venture Agreements and Shareholders Agreements. He also advised and assisted foreign companies in registering and enforcing their intellectual property rights such as Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights.
Apart from being a lawyer, he regularly contributes to legal policy by making representations on behalf of Chambers of Commerce, and recently submited a white paper suggesting amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016. He was also an active participant in shaping the arbitration law in India and assisted his father, who was an active member of the drafting committee of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 (‘Arbitration Act’). He was also involved in the landmark case of NTPC v. Singer, AIR 1993 SC 998, where the Supreme Court of India for the first time opined on the governing law of the arbitration agreement, when the arbitration agreement was silent.
As an expert in this field he regularly presents lectures on Indian law and regulation in international conferences and forums. His ideas and views can be found in popular legal newsletters and international journals.
Education
- B.Com. (Hon.), LL.B. from Delhi University (graduated in 1988)
- Course in Maritime Law from Lloyds of London
- Courses on Intellectual Property Law and Patents on Bio-technology Law from University of Cambridge U.K
- Mediator course from IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Arbitration & Conciliation courses from time to time from IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Current Professional Positions:
- Currently a member of the International Business Committee of the IMC Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Life Associate member of Indian Council of Arbitration
- Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPAB) Certificate of Appreciation and Dedication for India Jurisdiction Council Member 2005-2007
- Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International Foundation.
Insights
Critical changes in FDI, Competition Law, SEBI’s new guidelines, Direct Listing provisions, and RBI clarifications on AIF investments.
India Opens Space Sector for Foreign Investment
Read More + April 8, 2024Protecting Brands In India And Europe: Comparison Of Trademarks Laws
Recently, India and Europe have bolstered economic ties, fostering increased cross-border business. The European Union stands as India’s third largest trading partner, accounting for about 11 perce...
Read More + February 21, 2024Testimonial
What Our Clients Say
“The lawyers at K Singhania & Co. have regularly advised and represented our Company in various legal disputes, relating to recovery of dues from our customers for freight. In most of our cases, they have been successful in helping us recover our dues even before initiating litigation. We appreciate their efficient and effective dispute resolution strategies.We have been given sound legal advice with patience, care and due diligence”
By Mr. Allan Aranjo, Vice President, Hindustan Logistics Pvt. Ltd.
“Our Company has been seeking legal advice from the law firm for about 8 years now. They have been regularly advising us from drafting and reviewing our commercial contracts to representing us in various commercial disputes before the Bombay High Court and National Company Law Tribunals across the country. They have been successful in getting favourable orders for us in our commercial suits and have ensured that our matters are disposed in a timely manner. They have also regularly advised us on our commercial and property matters. ”
By Mr. Nandagiri Raghavendra Rao, Head of Finance & Controlling, Doka India Private Limited
“Best known for its commercial disputes, shipping and construction practices…The firm’s disputes group has specialisations in international commercial arbitration, domestic arbitration, insolvency and bankruptcy, and civil and commercial litigation. Industry sector strengths include shipping, oil and gas, construction and aviation. Offshore, the firm has an alliance with the Dubai office of Goodwins and Russian law firm, Maxima Legal.
Firm founder and managing partner Krrishan Singhania serves as the key contact for all dispute resolution work.
Mr. Krrishan Singhania provides all-in-one solutions and good communication skills.”
By Benchmark Litigation Reviews
“We had initiated criminal proceedings against the opposite party. The opposite party initiated proceedings under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 before the Bombay High Court to quash our criminal proceedings. The Firm has been successful in defending us in the quashing proceedings and arguing that the contractual default was in fact criminal in nature and was a case of cheating. The Bombay High Court gave us an order in our favour and held that the criminal proceedings have to continue in the lower court in Daman. We appreciate the Firm’s support and expertise in helping us win this case.”
By Mr. Pradeep Gupta, Director, Narsingh Dass & Company Pvt. Ltd.
“The Firm has been our legal counsels from 2014 and have assisted us in incorporating our company in India under the Companies Act, 2013. They support us constantly with company secretariat services and by advising us on our legal queries arising out of our day-to-day operations. They also assist us in company law compliances and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) compliances arising out of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and in negotiating, drafting and executing various business agreements. The Firm’s legal support is invaluable and it is as if they are working as a part of our organisation. We highly appreciate their accessibility, prompt delivery and practical legal solutions.”
By German Garnacho, Country Head India, Alsina Formwork (India) Private Limited
“We would like to extend our thanks to the law firm for their exceptional service when it came to protecting our intellectual property. They have assisted us in getting our trademarks registered across six different classes and did so in an efficient manner. They constantly intimate us about any conflicting trademarks and have assisted us in filing and defending oppositions. They have acted not only as our lawyers but as our business advisers. It is a pleasure working with them”.