Services India Group

“Our India Group, consisting of over 115 lawyers from 9 countries, 16 practice areas and 9 sector groups, the largest India group of any international law firm located outside India. Our experienced India Group regularly advises clients on high profile and significant cross-border transactions, projects, disputes and regulatory work across Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. We have lawyers in several jurisdictions in multiple continents with experience working in India or on India related matters across several sector and practice groups.

Dhruv Chhatralia BEM, the Head of the DWF India Group, was featured at the top of the India Business Law Journal’s (IBLJ) International A-list 2025 listing the world’s top-tier international lawyers outside India, with 47 nominations from Indian general counsels and law firms (the most of any lawyer at any international law firm), based on recommendations by general counsels and lawyers at Indian law firms, for his work on cross-border aspects of India-related matters.

The IBLJ has quoted as follows:

“The corporate and M&A arena is dominated by dealmakers who bridge India with global markets.

Dhruv Chhatralia, a partner (corporate), head of venture capital (UK) and head of India group at DWF, is a name to reckon in this category. Heading DWF’s India group and UK venture capital practice, Chhatralia received an astounding 47 nominations, the most of any lawyer.

“Dhruv has significant experience in both domestic and cross-border transactions … and is particularly renowned for his work in venture capital and private equity,” says Vivek Chandy, joint managing partner at JSA.

According to DWF Group, Chhatralia has built the largest India-focused team of any law firm outside India, advising Indian companies, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals on M&A, disposals and investments between India and the UK.”

This is the second year running where Dhruv was featured in the International A-List after also being listed in 2024.

The DWF India Group was ranked as an international firm to watch by the IBLJ in 2025. DWF was also shortlisted for the award of “Legal Practice of the Year” at the 6th Annual UK-India Awards in 2024 based on the achievements of the DWF India Group.”

We are one of the leading international law firms advising international clients and Indian clients on India-related matters. While we do not practice Indian law as per the country’s current regulatory framework, we have strong relationships with leading Indian law firms with whom we collaborate to provide a seamless service to our clients. Our India Group offers expertise across a wide spectrum of India-related matters. We have lawyers in several jurisdictions in multiple continents with experience working in India or on India related matters across several sector and practice groups.

We provide comprehensive legal services to our clients on India-related matters. In particular, we advise international clients and Indian clients on:

cross-border M&A transactions;
private equity and venture capital transactions;
global expansion strategy for Indian clients;
India expansion strategy for international clients;
equity and debt capital markets;
banking and finance transactions;
insolvency and restructuring;
international arbitration and disputes;
real estate transactions;
commercial contracts;
intellectual property;
data protection and cybersecurity;
employment and pensions;
regulatory and compliance;
insurance (coverage and litigation);
shipping and trade; and
tax and private capital.

We support Indian clients on their outbound activity and also multinational clients in respect of opportunities in the India market.

In recent decades, India has experienced robust growth to become an economic superpower and is positioned to emerge as the third-largest global economy by GDP in 2027. This significant growth has resulted in a significant upswing in foreign investment inflows and also a notable surge in Indian companies extending their operations beyond national borders.

Navigating India-related matters presents distinctive challenges, demanding an in-depth comprehension of the intricate legal and regulatory framework. Addressing these challenges necessitates the guidance of seasoned legal advisors who not only grasp the nuances of the market but also possess meaningful connections with key economic stakeholders.

Our longstanding experience of advising on India matters coupled with our embedded cultural insight and understanding, gives us a key advantage in addressing our clients’ concerns in any India-related transaction, project, dispute or regulatory matter. This combination of skills empowers us to think innovatively, alleviating our clients’ concerns while strategically advising and delivering high-quality support to facilitate the achievement of our clients’ commercial goals.

We have built strong relationships with several Indian corporates, financial institutions and high net worth individuals and families, and have helped navigate them through various international markets. Our lawyers travel across India as part of their work. They have spent time visiting our clients and learning more about their businesses and the wider Indian economy in general. As a result, several of them have remained our longstanding clients for decades.

We also have built a strong India Group of partners and associates across the global offices of the firm including lawyers who originate from various different states of India, speak nine different Indian languages, and understand the richness and depth of Indian culture and markets.

Our lawyers have developed strong profiles in the the India and Nepal markets having:

been included in the Queen's New Year Honours List 2020 and presented with a UK national award in respect of the work carried out as part of the India-UK relationship;
been presented with the Bharat Gaurav national award in India for achievements in the field of law in the UK and education in India;
been regularly invited to the UK Parliament and corporate organisations to speak on the Indian economy; and
met with the Prime Ministers of India, Nepal and the UK at events to celebrate the relationships between India and Nepal with the UK.

Our lawyers have carried out work to support local schools and charities in India. They have also helped support Indian communities on both business and charity work in several of the locations where are offices are based. Their work in this respect has been recognised by the India and UK Governments.