JSA

01/05/2026

JSA Prism | Dispute Resolution | April 2026

Supreme Court of India clarifies trigger for indemnity in consent awards: absolute liability crystallises upon deposit

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India (“Supreme Court”) in a recent case, has held that an indemnifier’s obligation is triggered immediately when the indemnity holder incurs an absolute liability, such as a compelled court deposit. After an analysis of the indemnity clauses within a commercial consent award, the Supreme Court clarified that an absolute obligation to insulate a party from liability cannot be deferred until such liability is ultimately confirmed by the highest appellate court. The Supreme Court held that the crystallisation of liability in this instance, a forced court deposit to stay ex*****on, immediately activates the indemnity provision. Accordingly, the Supreme Court held that counterparties cannot utilise ongoing appellate processes as a shield to evade or delay their crystallised financial obligations, thereby ensuring immediate enforcement and financial protection for commercial entities.

To read further details, please click here:
https://www.jsalaw.com/newsletters-and-updates/jsa-prism-dispute-resolution-april-2026-4/

Harshavardhan Abburi | Phanindranath Chowdary Ponneganti

30/04/2026

JSA advised Neo Asset Management Private Limited and funds managed by it on a bespoke turnaround financing to Santladevi Resorts Private Limited, the operator of a 5-star hotel in Dehradun.

Read more: https://www.jsalaw.com/deals-matter/jsa-advised-neo-asset-management-on-bespoke-private-credit-turnaround-financing-to-santladevi-resorts/

The JSA team was led by Utsav Johri, Partner, with support from Abhishek Ray, Partner; Harshil Shubham, Principal Associate and Zahan Kalyaniwalla, Senior Associate.

30/04/2026

Our Joint Managing Partner, Vivek K. Chandy, along with Archana Tewary, Ajay G. Prasad and Saurya Bhattacharya, Partners, have contributed to the Law Over Borders Comparative Guide: Global M&A Law Guide published by The Global Legal Post.

In this Q&A guide, they examine the evolving global M&A landscape, highlighting how traditional deal cycles are being reshaped by structural forces such as geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, sanctions, technology export controls, trade realignments, and financial market volatility. The guide explores how these factors are redefining risk assessment in M&A transactions, extending beyond price and synergies to encompass broader regulatory, geopolitical, and strategic considerations.

We invite you to explore this resource, which serves as a valuable reference for navigating cross-border M&A in an increasingly complex global environment. For those interested in understanding the shifting dynamics of global dealmaking, we encourage you to delve into this publication here: https://www.globallegalpost.com/lawoverborders/global-ma-law-guide-1372938346/india-1016577507

30/04/2026

Our Partners, Dheeraj Nair and Vishrutyi Sahni, have authored an article for BW Legal World titled “The Client, the In-house Counsel, and ‘The Advocate’: How Can a Corporation Navigate Issues Concerning Confidentiality?”

The article examines the contours of legal professional privilege in India, particularly the distinction between independent external counsel and in-house lawyers. It highlights that confidentiality protections typically extend to communications with independent advocates, while exchanges within an organisation may not attract the same privilege, given the inherent employer-employee relationship and associated commercial considerations.

The piece provides key insights into how corporations can navigate confidentiality risks and structure legal communications to preserve privilege in an evolving regulatory and business environment.

Read the full article here: https://www.bwlegalworld.com/article/the-client-the-in-house-counsel-and-the-advocate-how-can-a-corporation-navigate-issues-concerning-confidentiality-604615

In many legal jurisdictions, including India, confidentiality of professional communications exchanged with a lawyer is protected only if the lawyer is not its ‘client’s’ employee i.e., the lawyer is ‘independent’.An independent lawyer is often negatively defined by the absence of any empl...

30/04/2026

Our Partner, Sajai Singh, was quoted in The Economic Times in an article titled “Continuous AI Labelling Norms to Raise Compliance Bar, Costs: Experts.”

The article examines the proposed regulatory framework by India’s IT Ministry mandating continuous and clearly visible labelling of AI-generated content. While the move seeks to enhance transparency and platform accountability, it also raises concerns around feasibility, increased compliance costs, and potential implications for creative expression and user experience.

Quoted in the article, Sajai noted, “Subjectivity is out and objective criteria has found favour,” highlighting a shift towards more prescriptive requirements, including norms around font size, contrast, and placement of AI labels.

Read the full article here: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/continuous-ai-labelling-norms-to-raise-compliance-bar-costs-experts/articleshow/130614334.cms

India's IT Ministry proposed stricter rules for AI-generated content, mandating continuous and clear visibility of labels. This move aims to enhance transparency and platform accountability but raises concerns about feasibility, costs for creators, and potential impacts on creative expression and us...

30/04/2026

Our Partner, Vishnu P. Sudarshan, along with Sugandha Somani Gopal, Partner, Asmita Maan, Senior Associate, and Vihaan Pathak, Associate, have authored an article for Mondaq titled “Central Electricity Regulatory Commission Sets Trajectory for Deviation Computation in Renewable Energy Sector.”

The article analyses the recent order of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) determining the value of ‘X’ for computation of deviation (in percentage) for Wind and Solar Sellers under the Deviation Settlement Mechanism Regulations, 2024. It highlights the regulatory clarity introduced for renewable energy generators, including wind, solar, and hybrid projects, and its implications on scheduling, forecasting, and commercial settlement frameworks.

The development marks an important step towards strengthening grid discipline and operational certainty in India’s renewable energy sector, while supporting the broader transition to clean energy.

Read the full article here: https://www.mondaq.com/india/renewables/1779874/central-electricity-regulatory-commission-sets-trajectory-for-deviation-computation-in-renewable-energy-sector

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission ("CERC"), vide its order dated March 31, 2026 ("CERC Order"), has determined the value of ‘X' for computation of deviation (in percentage) for Wind and Solar Sellers ("WS Sellers"), i.e., generating stations based on wind, solar or wind-solar hybrid re...

30/04/2026

Our Partners, Gerald Manoharan and Sonakshi Das, along with Lijin Varughese, Associate, have authored an article for Mondaq titled “Karnataka High Court Orders Strict Implementation of Menstrual Leave Policy.”

The article analyses the Karnataka High Court’s significant ruling upholding the Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025 as an integral facet of rights under Article 21, including dignity, health, and bodily autonomy. It highlights the Court’s direction for strict implementation of the policy, its rejection of challenges under Article 14, and its emphasis on extending such benefits to the unorganised sector.

The ruling marks an important step towards advancing substantive equality and improving working conditions for women, reinforcing the evolving jurisprudence around workplace rights and gender inclusivity.

Read the full article here: https://www.mondaq.com/india/employee-rights-labour-relations/1779864/karnataka-high-court-orders-strict-implementation-of-menstrual-leave-policy

The woman petitioner, employed in a small local hotel, performed physically strenuous tasks in conditions lacking adequate hygiene and dignity, hardships she contended bore particular severity during menstruation.

30/04/2026

Our Partner, Prakriti Jaiswal, spoke as a panellist at Achromic Point’s event, Corporate, Commercial and M&A Summit and Awards 2026, themed “The Global M&A Landscape”, held on 29 April 2026 in New Delhi.

Prakriti participated in the panel discussion titled “Negotiation Techniques from the M&A World”, moderated by Raja P R S., alongside Ankit Sharma and Vivek Jha.

The session focused on the critical aspects of negotiation in M&A transactions, highlighting how preparation, positioning, and clarity influence deal outcomes. The discussion covered key elements such as representations and warranties, structuring effective negotiation strategies, and managing deadlocks in complex deal scenarios.

The panel also explored practical techniques to navigate negotiations, avoid common pitfalls, and align stakeholder expectations to achieve balanced and sustainable agreements in an increasingly dynamic M&A environment.

&A

29/04/2026

JSA Prism | Energy | April 2026

Draft Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency norms propose stricter fleet emission framework and remove small car concessions

The Ministry of Power, through the draft Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (“CAFE”) norms (“Draft CAFE-3”), has proposed the next phase of India’s fuel efficiency regime for passenger vehicles, intended to come into effect from April 1, 2027. Introduced under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, the CAFE framework mandates fleet-wide emission and fuel consumption limits for automobile manufacturers, assessed on an average basis across their vehicle portfolio. The Draft CAFE-3 norms signal a shift towards a stricter and more uniform regulatory approach by tightening emission reduction pathways and recalibrating incentives for cleaner technologies, with a focus on accelerating adoption of electric vehicles, hybrid technologies, and other low-emission alternatives.

To read further details, please click here: https://www.jsalaw.com/newsletters-and-updates/jsa-prism-energy-april-2026-3/

Vishnu Sudarsan | Sugandha Somani Gopal | Asmita Maan | Vihaan Pathak

29/04/2026

JSA Corporate InVision | March 2026 Edition

This edition of the Corporate InVision covers recent notifications and circulars issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”), and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

For further details, please click here: https://www.jsalaw.com/newsletters-and-updates/jsa-corporate-invision-march-2026-edition-2/

Venkatesh Raman Prasad | Mohammed Abid Hussain | Ankita Jain | Alby Joseph | Snigdha D. Mazumdar

29/04/2026

Our Partner, Shreya Sircar, spoke as a panelist at a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on “Smart Justice for Smart Enterprises: Institutionalising Mediation & Leveraging AI for Ease of Doing Business in the Public Sector”, held on 21 April 2026 in New Delhi.

The forum brought together leadership from public sector enterprises, along with legal heads and contract managers, to examine how structured mediation frameworks can strengthen governance, improve vendor confidence, and enhance economic efficiency. The discussions also explored the potential of AI‑enabled mediation in modernising dispute resolution mechanisms within PSEs and aligning them with global best practices.

Shreya contributed to a forward‑looking dialogue on institutionalising mediation and leveraging technology to make dispute resolution more efficient, accessible, and business‑friendly within the public sector.

29/04/2026

JSA Newsletter | Power Sector | January - March 2026

This Newsletter sets out some of the key regulatory developments in the power sector for the months of January to March 2026. The developments pertain to regulatory updates from the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Central Electricity Authority as well as significant judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, and the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.

To read further details, please click here: https://www.jsalaw.com/newsletters-and-updates/jsa-newsletter-power-sector-january-march-2026/

Poonam Verma Sengupta | Gayatri A***n | Sakshi Kapoor | Saunak Kumar Rajguru | Rajesh Jha | Subham Bhut | Palash Moolchandani | Pradyumn Sharma