About Us - Wadia Ghandy (2024)

At the time the Firm was set up, it was the era of horse carriages and oil lamps during the British raj.
We set up pre-Independence and witnessed the freedom movement.
Independent India was now a reality, the State now enjoying greater power and dominance, laying the foundation of a new India. A distinct legal ecosystem was being built with a personality of its own.
Lawyers and law firms were beginning to see more entrepreneurs and businesses being set up and the body of work was anticipated to grow.

In this era, the Firm primarily serviced clients, whose matters revolved around the money lenders act, letters of credit, conveyancing laws and litigation which was centered around sale and delivery of goods.
The Companies Act governed all businesses and corporations.
Times were simpler, but the government exerted stricter compliance and regulation.
The corporate law environment was highly controlled and stipulated.
Mr. Hamid Moochhala, Mr. Anand Bhatt and Mr. Noshir Sethna came together and laid the foundation for a modern day firm.

In this era, litigation became increasingly important for banks and financial institutions.
Real Estate became a practice that was swiftly growing, transitioning from individuals to companies, where major development and in infrastructure projects were mushrooming all over the country.
Electronic typewriters were introduced at the Firm in this era.
More institutional and transactional matters were undertaken.
Corporate law remained focused on oppression, mismanagement and contractual work. Businesses overseas (and correspondingly, the law firms overseas) were beginning to recognise India as a country to do business with and business in.

Liberalization was a watershed moment for the Indian economy. Documenting the shift, Indian commerce and trade, saw a surge in investments and new legislation.
FERA made room for FEMA, to facilitate external trade and payments in India. As part of large-scale financial reforms and to give India a different impetus in the global financial ecosystem, the Securities Exchange Board of India was established.
In this phase, the capital and finance markets started developing. Institutional relationships were forged and the nature of legal work underwent a paradigm shift. Foreign law firms started penetrating the Indian market, with an intent to enter into long term partnerships with Indian law firms. They exposed the Indian legal market to new trends, new ways of doing business and technology.