Shashank Verma Managing Partner

Home , Jabalpur

Shashank is a disputes lawyer with over two decades of extensive experience in appellate court advocacy, domestic and international arbitration and commercial litigation. He has a broad commercial practice and his areas of expertise include Administrative & Constitutional Law, Banking & Finance, Construction & Projects, Commercial Law including Media & Telecommunications, Mining, Employment & Labour, Energy & Natural Resources, Corporate (Joint Venture, Shareholder/Partnership disputes).

He began his career working in Mumbai office of the erstwhile Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A

Shroff & Co., one of India’s largest law firm of the Shashank Verma time and thereafter shifted to counsel practice and Managing Partner joined chambers of an eminent senior counsel, wherein he practiced primarily before the Appellate [email protected] and Constitutional Courts. +91 9827226965

As counsel, Shashank has appeared for several leading public sector undertakings, banks, financial institutions, multinational corporations, non- EDUCATION ▪ Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, governmental organisations and academic Pune: Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) institutions and universities before various courts, ▪ Indian Law Society’s (ILS) Law College, including the Supreme Court of India, and arbitral Pune: Bachelor of Law (LLB.) tribunals.

BAR ADMISSION In early 2016, Shashank restructured and ▪ State Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh: July reorganized RPV Legal, an over 80-year-old law 2000. practice into a modern chamber styled commercial law boutique focusing on arbitration, litigation and corporate advisory with offices in New Delhi, Jabalpur & Dubai. As part of his counsel practice, he also regularly receives instructions from leading law firms and chambers in commercial and constitutional matters before appellate courts and arbitral tribunals.

JABALPUR: 2216, Wright Town, Jabalpur- 482002 | E: [email protected] | T: +91 7614923958 DELHI: D-19, Second Floor, Geetanjali Enclave, New Delhi – 110017 | E: [email protected] | T: +91 11 41834272 DUBAI (Affiliate Office): 39059 Deira, Airport Road, Al Serkal Port (2) Building Opposite of Danata, Next to Al Futtaim Car Showroom, Third Floor, Office No. 301, Dubai, UAE| E: [email protected]

AREA OF EXPERTISE

Arbitration & Conflict of Laws

Shashank has a robust arbitration practice and regularly advises multi-national corporations in cross border disputes involving complex private international law issues. He has also acted as lead counsel in several arbitration related court litigations pertaining to interim measures, appointment of arbitrator and post award remedies. Some of his recent work includes:

▪ Representing a leading multinational infrastructure company in a construction arbitration before an ad-hoc arbitral tribunal, against the Indian Railways, with claim value of over USD 85 million. Also, successfully represented the company in several proceedings under Section 9 and 11 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996. ▪ Represented a UAE based conglomerate in disputes relating to Family Business Governance Agreement and apportionment of group assets valued at over USD 500 million. ▪ Representing a leading highway construction company in an ad-hoc arbitration against National Highway Authority of India in a claim of over USD 55 million. ▪ Representing one of India’s leading steam coal importer in enforcement proceedings before the Supreme Court of India relating to an arbitral award rendered by an international arbitral tribunal seated in London with a claim amount of approximately USD 103 million. ▪ Representing a construction major in an arbitration against Northern Railways, concerning construction of one of the longest rail-road tunnels in India. ▪ Represented a leading Indian pharmaceutical entity in an arbitration under the LCIA Rules against a European biopharma major concerning an Exclusive Distribution Agreement for certain plasma derived medicinal products where the claims and counterclaims are over 40 million USD. ▪ Represented a major real estate developer in Northern India in an arbitration against the State Government relating to the abortive development of a 1500-hectare township. ▪ Represented a renowned international marketing and advisory firm in an arbitration emanating from an exclusive marketing rights agreement. ▪ Represented India’s leading technological giant, in resisting an application for appointment of arbitrator on the grounds of privity of contract as well as under the principles enshrined in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. ▪ Appeared in the High Court in a matter premised on a precise interpretation of provision of the period of limitation for setting aside an arbitral award under the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996.

▪ Represented one of the world’s largest chemical company in a matter before the High Court, clarifying the correct position of law with respect to reference to arbitration in international commercial contracts carrying an arbitral clause, as well as the doctrine of separability. ▪ Representing a major township developer in an ad-hoc arbitration - sum in dispute in the region of USD 70 million. ▪ Advised several UAE based entities in cross border disputes and matters pertaining to execution of foreign awards and judgments.

Constitutional, Civil & Commercial

Shashank has a broad constitutional, civil and commercial litigation practice and appears as a counsel before all judicial forums in sectors such as Insurance, Pharmaceuticals, Media & Telecommunications, Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Consumer Durables, Environment, Education, Labour and Employment etc. Some of his recent work includes:

▪ Represented one of India’s fastest growing entertainment network, Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. in a petition concerning the release of the movie ‘Padmaavat’. ▪ Appeared in a matter involving a challenge to the constitutionality of a specific provision of the Indian Stamp Act. ▪ Appeared in a matter involving the interpretation of a specific provision under the M.P. Education Service (School Branch) Recruitment and Promotion Rules, 1982. ▪ Representing one of India's largest oil company in disputes pertaining to allocations and tender as well as criminal proceedings pertaining to weights and measures. ▪ Appeared before the Division Bench of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur in matter concerning the fixation of fees in private medical and dental colleges. ▪ Appeared in a civil suit pertaining to interpretation of specific provisions under the Code of Civil Procedure in India. ▪ Lead Counsel in a petition concerning the restrictions on the Doctrine of Pleasure and the safeguards provided to civil servants under Article 311 of the Constitution of India. ▪ Representing a Chadian national convicted under the Foreigners Act and the Indian Penal Code before the High Court in a case concerning commutation of sentence. ▪ Representing a renowned mining company before the High Court in a case concerning mining lease. ▪ Representing a petitioner serving the High Judicial Service before the Supreme Court of India in a Curative Petition seeking reference of the issue involved in the matter to a Constitutional Bench.

▪ Represented the biggest medical college in central India before various High Courts in matters pertaining to fixation of fees, admission regulations, admission procedures and other constitutional validity issues. ▪ Representing one of the largest renewable energy generators in India before the State Electricity Regulatory Commission. ▪ Represented one of the largest renewable energy company in India in insolvency proceedings against a leading Indian FMCG company in the edible oil market. ▪ Advised a Petrochemical major on issues pertaining to debts and non-performing assets amounting to Rs. 3200 crores.

Banking & Finance

Banking and Finance has been at the core of Shashank’s law practice for the past one decade. He has considerable experience in representing leading banks and financial institutions before various courts and tribunals and regularly renders advise on issues concerning banking and financial laws. He has successfully represented almost all leadings public and private banks and financial institutions, including multinational banks having operations in India.

Shashank has advised and represented clients on acquisition finance, corporate lending, asset finance, securitization deals, complex syndicated lending and real estate finance. He regularly advises several clients on intricate regulatory issues under the guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India applicable to domestic and cross-border lending. Some of the notable recent work includes:

▪ Representing India’s one of the largest Private Bank against a leading Engineering & Heat Transfer Equipment Manufacturing Company, in recovery proceedings before Debts Recovery Tribunal for recovery of sums in the region of Rs. 219 crores. ▪ Representing another one of India’s largest Private Sector Bank against an Educational Foundation established as a Private Company, in recovery proceedings before Debts Recovery Tribunal for recovery of sums in the region of Rs. 65 crores. ▪ Representing India’s one of the largest Private Bank in defending a Securitization Application filed by a leading Coal Mining and Distribution Company, before Debts Recovery Tribunal in relation to recovery of sums in the region of Rs. 224 crores. ▪ Representing India’s one of the largest Private Bank in defending an Original Application filed by a leading Construction major, before Debts Recovery Tribunal in relation to recovery of sums in the region of Rs. 95 crores.