Madrid-based firm, Garrigues has stepped foot in India with a non-exclusive cooperation agreement with the Delhi-based Dua Associates.

Garrigues has been advising the Fundación Consejo España-India (which loosely translates to Indo-Spanish Council Foundation), which was established in January 2009 under the auspices of several private and public entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The council aims to boost bilateral ties and cooperation between Spain and India in the scientific, cultural, academic, research and environmental protection and economic development, trade and business.

Garrigues joined the board of trustees of the Foundation in mid-2009 after its creation with other leading companies. Barcelona-based partner, Sergio Sanchez Sole, who specializes in corporate law, commercial contracts and M&As, is in charge of their India Desk.

Speaking to Bar & Bench, he said, “Within the context of Garrigues’ clear international outlook, this agreement represents a further step in our decisive commitment to the Indian market and to offering a practical and innovative service to the business community.” Unlike most other firms that mostly headquarter their India practice around one location, mostly Singapore or London, Garrigues’ India Desk works out of three locations: Barcelona, Portugal and China. 

This is the first Spanish firm to make an overt move into the Indian market. So far, it has mostly been US and UK based law firms that have been making inroads into the Indian market. However, last year, Chinese-Singaporean firm - Dacheng Central Chambers, tied up with Vaish Associates to enter the Indian market. Chennai-based Surana & Surana entered into an agreement with Estudio Ferrere Lamaison, Uruguay's largest firm. Earlier this year, a large chunk had broken away from Dua to form Tatva Legal.

Managing Partner of Dua Associates, Ranji Dua, told Bar & Bench, "Dua Associates and Garrigues have entered into a non-exclusive cooperation agreement which maintains in spirit and substance the independence of each of the firms and provides for referrals on a cooperative basis."