Couple of Lawyers: Arguments & Thought

Your Under-15-Minute Crash Course on M&A in India

In this episode of CLAT - Couple of Lawyers' Arguments and Thoughts, we demystify the due diligence process in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in India. From the importance of financial, legal, and ESG compliance to the role of data privacy and intellectual property in deal-making, we break down everything you need to know about navigating M&A in India’s evolving corporate landscape. Learn how recent regulatory changes like amendments to the Competition Act and SEBI’s disclosure requirements are shaping M&A transactions. Whether you’re a legal professional, a business owner, or just curious about how billion-dollar deals are made, this episode is your ultimate crash course.

Changes to Corporate India and the Companies Act in 2024

In this episode of Couple of Lawyers: Arguments & Thought, we break down the latest amendments to the Companies Act, 2013, introduced by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in October 2023. From increased transparency through beneficial ownership disclosures to mandatory dematerialization of share warrants, these changes are transforming corporate compliance and accountability in India. Learn how these amendments aim to modernize corporate practices, align with global standards, and protect investors—all while posing new challenges for businesses, especially small enterprises. Tune in for insights into the significance of these updates and their impact on India’s corporate landscape.

LGBTQIA+ + The Supreme Court: A Step Forward or Deferred Justice?

In the 10th episode of Couple of Lawyers: Arguments & Thought, we dive into the Supreme Court of India’s October 2023 decision on same-sex marriage. The Court chose to defer the issue to Parliament, emphasizing that fundamental changes in family law should be decided democratically. While not legalizing same-sex marriage, the Court acknowledged the discrimination faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals and established a committee to explore limited rights and protections for same-sex couples in areas like property, healthcare, and pensions. This episode unpacks the decision’s implications, the historical context of LGBTQIA+ rights in India, and the role of the judiciary versus Parliament in driving social change. We’ll also take a look at recent international progress on marriage equality and consider what the future might hold for LGBTQIA+ rights in India.

AI and the Future of Law: Will Robots Take Our Jobs

In this episode of Couple of Lawyers: Arguments & Thought, hosts Kaustav from Sansa Legal and Alita, his AI legal assistant, explore the rapidly growing role of AI in the legal profession. They discuss cutting-edge tools like CoCounsel, LawGeex, and Kira Systems that are transforming legal research, drafting, contract management, and litigation support. Together, Kaustav and Alita delve into the big questions: Will AI make lawyers redundant? What skills should lawyers focus on to stay relevant? They also tackle the risks, such as the “hallucination” problem in generative AI, which can produce convincing yet inaccurate information, making human oversight essential. This episode offers a balanced view of why lawyers should embrace AI for efficiency and innovation while being mindful of its ethical challenges. Tune in to learn how AI is changing the face of law and what the future might hold for legal professionals.

Advertising Accountability: The Supreme Court’s Self-Declaration Certificate Rule

In this episode of Couple of Lawyers: Arguments & Thought, hosts from Sansa Legal discuss the Supreme Court of India’s new directive mandating a Self-Declaration Certificate (SDC) for all advertisers. As of June 18, 2024, every ad in India must have an SDC to verify its truthfulness and compliance with regulations. Kaustav and Alita unpack the purpose and requirements of the SDC, the implications for advertisers, and the potential challenges this directive introduces for the industry. The hosts dive into real-world examples, including the Hindustan Unilever Ltd. v. Sebamed, 2022 case, to illustrate the need for this regulation. This episode sheds light on how the SDC aims to protect consumers and promote responsible advertising while discussing how advertisers will need to adapt to stay compliant. Tune in to learn about this major shift in the Indian advertising landscape and what it means for businesses, consumers, and the future of advertising standards.