Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) and Economic Laws Practice (ELP) were appointed to advise the UK government on the recently concluded free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom.
The consortium, led by UK-based firm TLT LLP, was selected by the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) following a competitive tender. CAM and ELP were engaged through the consortium’s global subcontractor network to provide Indian legal and regulatory expertise throughout the negotiation process.
CAM advised TLT LLP on Indian legal and policy aspects during the course of the FTA discussions. The firm deployed a multi-disciplinary team of lawyers and regulatory experts to support the mandate.
“This is a landmark trade deal between the UK and India—one of the fastest growing major economies in the world. It will strengthen business alliances, reduce trade barriers, and increase investment between the two countries,” CAM said in its announcement on LinkedIn.
ELP also advised on Indian trade and regulatory frameworks, supporting the consortium’s ‘one firm’ approach to cross-border advisory.
TLT was previously appointed by the UK government on other significant trade matters, including its entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and bilateral agreements with Canada and Mexico. The firm has been a part of the UK’s Trade Law Panel since February 2021.
The India–UK FTA, the negotiations for which have now concluded, is seen as one of the most significant trade deals in the UK’s post-Brexit strategy. Bilateral trade between the two countries is already valued at over £23 billion annually. The final agreement is expected to reduce tariffs, unlock new market access and boost investment in key sectors such as financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals and clean energy.
It is also anticipated to foster regulatory cooperation, enhance professional mobility and deepen long-term economic engagement between India and the UK.
However, the legal sector was left out of the FTA agreement. Criticising this development, the Law Society of England and Wales said that the failure to include legal services in the FTA is a missed opportunity for both the UK and Indian economies.
Commenting on the new trade deal, Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council, said:
“While the UK trade agreement with India is overall positive news for the country, we are really disappointed that it does not extend to legal services."