Blog Posts
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Revamping the Takeover Code
[Posted by Umakanth Varottil] After consolidating the regulations relating to primary markets (as discussed in the previous post), SEBI has embarked upon the next exercise of revamping the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 1997 (popularly known as the Takeover Code). It has appointed a Takeover Regulations Advisory Committee (TRAC) to advise on…
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Revised Primary Capital Market Norms
[Posted by Umakanth Varottil] In the 17 years that SEBI has been in existence, the rules pertaining to issue and sale of capital to the public have undergone sea-change. This is not surprising as the nature and size of the Indian primary markets have witnessed significant growth in these years. The primary market norms (post…
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Taxation of non-residents: More controversy
[Posted by V. Niranjan] This blog has covered the controversy surrounding the taxation of Indian companies for engaging services from abroad. A recent decision of the Karnataka High Court has made the law even more difficult to ascertain. The decision is that of a Division Bench of the Court, in Jindal Thermal Power Co. Ltd.…
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FDI in the Small Scale Sector
[Posted by Umakanth Varottil] Historically, there have been limited options for small-scale undertakings in India to obtain FDI. For instance, FDI was limited to 24%. FDI beyond this limit was permissible only if the unit deregistered itself as a small-scale unit. This policy has been relaxed by way of Press Note 6 of 2009, which…
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Derivatives and Underlying Assets
[Posted by V. Niranjan] In a very interesting article published in the Journal of Business Law in 2007, Professors Green and Saidov had this to say of software: “…its unique characteristics mean that it is not truly analogous to any conventional chattel with which the law is familiar… despite the fact that it is one…
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Fraud and Bank Guarantees
[Posted by Mihir Naniwadekar] Often, it so happens in the commercial world that a contract between two parties requires one to provide a performance guarantee to the other. Accordingly, the party provides a bank guarantee; but the guarantee itself is expressed to be “unconditional” and “irrevocable”. The understanding of the parties is that the guarantee…
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SEBI and Corporate Law
[Posted by Umakanth Varottil] Some of the previous posts on this Blog (SEBI prohibits issue of shares with “superior” rights and Shareholders and Their Duties under Indian Law) have generated reactions from readers on a significant issue, which is the role that SEBI has recently been playing in altering provisions of basic company law as…
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Corporate Frauds; Earnings Management
[Posted by Umakanth Varottil] One question that does not seems to have been fully answered in the last few months is whether the Satyam episode is truly an aberration or whether it is just the tip of the iceberg (thereby signalling a systemic problem generally in several Indian companies). The Economic Times has an interesting…
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The Revival of Housing Derivatives
[Posted by Shantanu Naravane] An article in the latest issue of the Economist discusses the revival of housing derivatives, and its close connection with the recent financial meltdown. The idea first surfaced in 2006, when housing derivatives were available as futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. However, the housing bubble, and the fact that…
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Swiss Accounts and Banking Secrecy: Contrasting Outcomes
[Posted by Umakanth Varottil] After prolonged discussions, the US and Swiss authorities came to an agreement earlier this month whereby UBS would disclose details of certain US account holders who are suspected of evading US taxes. The Time Magazine outlines the terms: Under the terms of the new agreement, the IRS will submit a request…