Partner-Led · IR Global Recognised · New Delhi

Regulatory Defense. Corporate Risk. Cross-Border Clarity.

Helping promoters, corporates, and global businesses navigate investigations, compliance, and high-stakes disputes across India.

3
Specialist Recovery Forums
DRT · NCLT · High Court
3+
Recovery Mechanisms
IBC · DRT · SARFAESI
Partner-Led
Every Recovery Matter
IR Global Chambers Recognised ↗Delhi High CourtNCLT · ArbitrationEuropean Client DeskPartner-Led Every MatterDebt Recovery & Asset Recovery
Clientele

Who we advise.

A focused client base, a partner at the table, and an unwavering commitment to outcomes that protect reputation, liberty and enterprise value.

Promoters & Senior Executives

European & Foreign Businesses

Practice

Practice areas.

Seven focused practices, one unified standard. Every matter is handled by a partner with end-to-end accountability.

01

White-Collar Crime & Regulatory Defense

Representation before ED, SEBI, SFIO, CBI, EOW and DRI in PMLA, FEMA, insider trading, benami, fraud and bribery matters. Crisis strategy that protects liberty, reputation and enterprise value. Parallel civil, criminal and regulatory defence coordinated under a single war-room.

Explore this practice →Consult a Partner
02

Corporate & Commercial Advisory

Transaction structuring, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, M&A, private equity and venture financing. Board governance, Companies Act compliance and related-party frameworks. Drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts tuned to Indian enforceability.

Explore this practice →Consult a Partner
03

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Trial, appellate and constitutional practice across the Delhi High Court, Supreme Court and specialised tribunals. Domestic and institutional arbitration under SIAC, ICC, LCIA and DIAC rules. Enforcement of foreign awards and cross-border judgment recognition in India.

Explore this practice →Consult a Partner
04

Intellectual Property Rights

Trademark, copyright, design and patent prosecution, portfolio strategy and licensing. Anti-counterfeiting, John Doe orders, customs recordal and online brand enforcement. Technology-transfer, SaaS and software licensing with global-to-India alignment.

Explore this practice →Consult a Partner
05

Real Estate & Property Law

Title due diligence, commercial leasing, conveyancing and development agreements. RERA registration, compliance, complaint drafting and appellate representation. Resolution of builder-buyer disputes, possession defaults and refund claims across NCR markets.

Explore this practice →Consult a Partner
06

Employment & Labour Law

Employment contracts, executive compensation, ESOP schemes and separation frameworks. POSH Act compliance, IC constitution, investigations and annual reporting. Industrial Disputes Act, Shops & Establishments, PF/ESI and the new Labour Codes advisory.

Explore this practice →Consult a Partner
07

Debt Recovery & Asset Recovery

Recovering money owed is one of the most commercially urgent legal problems a business faces, and one where the right strategy determines whether you recover anything at all. Novation Legal advises creditors, financial institutions, and businesses on the full spectrum of recovery mechanisms available under Indian law, from summary suits and DRT proceedings to IBC-based insolvency as a recovery tool. Whether you are chasing a defaulting debtor, challenging a fraudulent transfer, or enforcing a decree, we provide partner-led recovery strategy that prioritises actual results over prolonged litigation.

DRTIBCSummary SuitAttachmentDecree Execution
Explore this practice →Consult a Partner
Specialist Practice Pages

Dedicated pages for every area we serve.

Focused content hubs for the specific area you need — by practice, by location, by client profile.

Representative Experience

Anonymised. Partner-led. Trial-tested.

A selection of matters where our work materially changed the outcome. All details anonymised in accordance with Bar Council of India rules.

Representative Work

Outcomes that speak.

A selection of representative matters, anonymised to preserve confidentiality. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

ED · PMLA

Listed-company promoter cleared of predicate offence linkage.

Secured interim relief and eventual closure for a listed-company promoter facing a PMLA proceeding rooted in a disputed predicate offence from a business dispute.

SEBI Enforcement

Settlement with no admission, no debarment.

Negotiated a consent settlement for a board director in a complex insider trading inquiry, preserving reputation and continued board roles across group entities.

Cross-Border M&A

European acquirer · Indian target · closed on schedule.

Led Indian-side diligence, FEMA structuring and negotiation of transaction documents for a strategic European acquirer purchasing an Indian industrial target.

Governance

Board-level compliance architecture for family conglomerate.

Designed a top-to-bottom compliance, related-party and delegation matrix for an Indian family-owned group preparing for institutional investment.

Commercial Arbitration

Award upheld at enforcement stage.

Successfully defended an arbitration award at the enforcement stage before the Delhi High Court, rejecting a Section 34 challenge grounded in merits-review.

Constitutional

Writ relief against arbitrary regulatory action.

Secured writ-level intervention against an arbitrary regulatory action affecting a foreign-owned Indian subsidiary, protecting operational continuity.

Brand Protection

Ex-parte injunction against counterfeiters.

Obtained ex-parte and local commissioner orders against a network of counterfeiters operating through e-commerce marketplaces and physical outlets.

Trademark

Opposition success for European luxury brand.

Defeated a squatter's application in opposition before the Trade Marks Registry, preserving the European brand's launch timeline for India.

RERA

Refund with interest for delayed possession.

Recovered the full principal with RERA-rate interest for a buyer facing indefinite possession delays by a marquee NCR developer.

Commercial Lease

Exit negotiation avoiding dilapidation dispute.

Negotiated a cost-neutral lease exit for an international occupier, resolving dilapidation, security deposit and lock-in exposure in a single term sheet.

POSH

Independent inquiry preserving both parties' dignity.

Conducted an independent inquiry under the POSH Act producing findings that withstood subsequent civil and writ challenges.

Executive Exit

C-suite separation with zero litigation tail.

Structured a complex C-suite separation with ESOP, non-compete and confidentiality architecture that closed without subsequent litigation.

Recovery Strategy

Recover debts efficiently using the right legal forum.

DRT, IBC, summary suit and SARFAESI strategy combined for maximum recovery, with partner-led forum selection in the critical first two weeks that determine whether recovery is possible at all.

Asset Tracing

Challenge fraudulent asset transfers before the limitation period expires.

Identify and set aside transactions designed to defeat your recovery, using IBC avoidance provisions, Transfer of Property Act remedies, and interim attachment orders secured within days.

Legal Risk Assessment

Where do you stand? Answer five questions in sixty seconds.

A confidential, partner-reviewed snapshot of your regulatory and legal exposure, with immediate next steps.

Step 1 of 5

What best describes your current situation?

Which practice area is most relevant?

How urgent is it?

What type of business or role is this for?

Where should a partner reach you?

Abhishek Saxena, Founding Managing Partner, Novation Legal
ABHISHEK SAXENAFounding Managing Partner
Law DegreeLLB, University of Leeds
Indian BarBridge Course, NLU Delhi
Inns of CourtStudent Member, Lincoln's Inn
BarDelhi High Court Bar Association
The Founder

Abhishek Saxena. Founding Managing Partner.

Abhishek founded Novation Legal to build a modern Indian firm where senior-partner attention is a standard, not an exception. He counsels promoters, corporates and foreign businesses on the matters that most determine an enterprise's trajectory: regulatory defence, dispute strategy and the difficult governance decisions that no playbook can script.

He is recognised by IR Global as the only White-Collar Crime Partner for India, and is a Student Member of Lincoln's Inn. His practice straddles the Delhi High Court, Supreme Court and specialised tribunals, with an increasingly active cross-border focus serving European clients coming to India.

"Law for me has never been merely a profession. It is a responsibility, a catalyst for change, and a tool to build legacies."
Abhishek Saxena · Founding Managing Partner
Frequently Asked

What clients ask us.

Plain-English answers to the questions promoters, GCs and foreign businesses bring to Novation Legal most often.

Do not ignore it. Engage experienced counsel immediately, preserve all relevant communications, and attend the appearance with a clear, documented statement of facts. Remember, your statement before the ED is admissible as evidence, so preparation is non-negotiable.See also: What to do if ED raids your office →
SEBI issues a Show Cause Notice, conducts investigation, and can pass directions including disgorgement, debarment and monetary penalties. Early legal representation is critical to shape the record before findings crystallise.See also: How to respond to a SEBI notice →
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs assigns matters involving public interest, large-scale fraud, or cross-border complexity to the SFIO under Section 212 of the Companies Act. SFIO reports can lead directly to criminal prosecution.
Most sectors permit foreign direct investment without prior government approval, subject to sectoral caps and conditions under FEMA and the Consolidated FDI Policy. A handful of sensitive sectors still require government approval.
Lawful processing of personal data, explicit consent, purpose limitation, breach notification, appointment of a Data Protection Officer where required, and significant penalties for non-compliance. Cross-border transfers are permitted subject to restrictions.
For corporate insolvency under the IBC, oppression and mismanagement petitions, approval of mergers and demergers, class action suits and other disputes arising under the Companies Act 2013.
RERA mandates registration of projects, escrow of 70% of receipts, strict disclosure of timelines and plans, and provides a statutory complaint mechanism against defaulting builders with appellate oversight.See also: How to file a RERA complaint →
Typically 12–24 months end to end. However, the trademark is usable from the date of filing and is protectable in infringement and passing-off proceedings once examined and advertised.See also: How to register a trademark in India →
Yes. Every employer with 10 or more employees must constitute an Internal Committee, conduct annual training, file annual reports with the district officer and display the policy prominently at the workplace.See also: POSH compliance checker →
Yes. Foreign parties may sue or be sued in Indian courts, subject to jurisdiction and choice-of-law clauses. Institutional arbitration is frequently preferred for speed, neutrality and enforceability under the New York Convention.
Seat determines the supervisory courts and curial law; venue is merely the physical location of hearings. Drafting this clearly in your arbitration clause prevents costly jurisdictional challenges later.
The Companies Act prescribes specified thresholds requiring board and, above them, shareholder approval by ordinary resolution for related party transactions. Listed companies face additional SEBI LODR requirements.
No. Termination requires lawful grounds, adherence to the contract, notice or pay in lieu, and compliance with the Industrial Disputes Act for those classified as workmen. Improper termination creates real litigation exposure.
Yes. We coordinate defence across ED, SEBI, SFIO, EOW and CBI matters, ensuring consistent, strategically unified representation across criminal courts, tribunals and regulatory proceedings.See also: Which recovery forum is right for you →
Typically via a wholly-owned subsidiary, joint venture, branch or liaison office. We advise on entity choice, FDI compliance, tax structuring, governance setup and ongoing employment and data obligations.
Insights & Newsletter

From the firm.

Commentary, playbooks and watchlists from our partners, written for operators, not scholars.

Newsletter

The Novation Note. Once a month.

Regulatory shifts, enforcement trends, and what we think matters. Without the jargon. Unsubscribe anytime.

Executive Guide · Complimentary

The Executive Guide to ED & PMLA.

A twelve-point field guide for promoters, directors and general counsel on what to do in the first seventy-two hours of an ED or PMLA summons.

  • Section 50 PMLA appearance preparation checklist
  • Privilege and document-preservation protocols
  • Board and auditor communication scripts
  • Provisional attachment challenge pathways
  • Parallel SEBI, SFIO and EOW coordination

Get the Guide. One email.

Opens in a new tab. Print-friendly PDF layout.
Europe Desk

Your retained India counsel.

A dedicated desk for European and foreign businesses: a single senior-partner point of contact across market entry, governance, compliance and dispute strategy. No handoffs, no juniors-only responses, no surprises.

1
Partner-level contactOne senior partner owns the relationship end-to-end, with same-day responsiveness across European time zones.
2
India-wide footprintWork across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and regulatory capitals, coordinating with specialist counsel where needed.
3
Cross-border fluencyFamiliarity with European transaction and diligence norms, so our advice lands in a language your board understands.
4
Transparent pricingFixed-fee scopes for market entry and compliance engagements, with clear-eyed estimates for contentious work.
Services for Europe-bound clients
FDI & FEMAAutomatic & approval route, sectoral conditions, downstream investment
DPDP & DataConsent architecture, cross-border transfers, DPO mandates, breach response
WorkforceContracts, ESOPs, POSH, Labour Codes, executive mobility
GovernanceBoard setup, CEO mandate, RPT policy, Indian director compliance
SubsidiaryEntity selection, incorporation, banking, GST, ongoing MCA filings
DisputesArbitration strategy, enforcement of foreign awards, Indian litigation
Confidential Consultation

Speak with a partner.

Every enquiry reaches a partner. Every conversation is held in strict confidence. Every response is timed in hours, not days.

  • Senior-partner attention from the first email or call.
  • Privileged, confidential, and subject to BCI rules.
  • Transparent fee indication within one business day.
  • Coordinated with our Europe Desk for cross-border matters.
IR Global ↗Delhi HC BarNCLT · ArbitrationLincoln's Inn
Service Coverage

Full practice coverage.

White-collar crime & regulatory defence: white collar crime lawyer India, ED lawyer Delhi, PMLA defense lawyer India, SEBI show cause notice lawyer, SFIO investigation lawyer Delhi, benami property lawyer, FEMA prosecution lawyer, money laundering lawyer Delhi, provisional attachment challenge, Section 50 PMLA, EOW lawyer India, CBI lawyer India, DRI lawyer India.

Corporate advisory: corporate lawyer Delhi, FDI lawyer India, M&A lawyer Delhi, DPDP Act compliance lawyer, joint venture lawyer India, FEMA compliance lawyer, Companies Act lawyer, shareholder agreement drafting, board advisory counsel, RPT compliance, CSR compliance lawyer, FCPA India compliance.

Litigation & dispute resolution: commercial litigation lawyer Delhi, arbitration lawyer India, NCLT lawyer Delhi, IBC lawyer India, debt recovery lawyer India, SIAC arbitration counsel, foreign award enforcement India, Delhi High Court lawyer, Supreme Court counsel, writ petition lawyer Delhi, Commercial Division lawyer.

Intellectual property: trademark lawyer Delhi, copyright lawyer Delhi, patent lawyer Delhi, IP lawyer India, trademark infringement lawyer India, brand protection lawyer, trademark opposition lawyer, anti-counterfeiting lawyer, design registration India, GI lawyer India.

Real estate: property lawyer Delhi, RERA lawyer Delhi, title due diligence Delhi, sale deed lawyer, NRI property lawyer India, commercial lease lawyer Delhi, development agreement lawyer, builder buyer lawyer, landlord tenant lawyer Delhi, possession recovery lawyer.

Employment & labour: employment lawyer Delhi, POSH lawyer India, wrongful termination lawyer India, labour codes India, ESOP lawyer India, employment contract lawyer, workforce restructuring counsel, industrial disputes lawyer, domestic inquiry lawyer, executive exit counsel.

Cross-border: Europe desk India, IR Global India partner, cross border M&A India, foreign subsidiary lawyer India, EU company India counsel, UK company India counsel, Indian counsel for European companies, inbound investment lawyer, outbound investment counsel.

Locations: lawyer New Delhi, lawyer Delhi NCR, Noida lawyer, Gurgaon lawyer, Faridabad lawyer, Ghaziabad lawyer, advocate New Delhi, law firm South Delhi, lawyer Greater Kailash, Delhi High Court lawyer, NCLT lawyer Delhi.

Cheque bounce & financial fraud: cheque bounce lawyer Delhi, Section 138 NI Act lawyer Delhi, cheque dishonour lawyer NCR, negotiable instruments lawyer Delhi, cheque bounce lawyer Gurugram, cheque bounce lawyer Noida, cheque bounce fast track court, cheque bounce criminal complaint Delhi, cheque bounce notice lawyer, NI Act 138 defense, cheque bounce settlement, statutory demand notice lawyer, financial fraud lawyer Delhi, cheating case lawyer Delhi, criminal breach of trust lawyer India, investment fraud lawyer Delhi, Ponzi scheme lawyer Delhi NCR, FIR cheating case Delhi, anticipatory bail fraud Delhi, BNS cheating Section 318, forgery lawyer Delhi, cyber fraud lawyer India, online fraud recovery India, EOW fraud Delhi.

Property NCR: property lawyer Gurugram, RERA lawyer Gurugram, Haryana RERA complaint, property dispute Gurugram, illegal possession lawyer NCR, builder default Gurugram, property lawyer Noida, UP RERA Noida, builder dispute Noida, property recovery Delhi NCR, illegal possession lawyer Delhi NCR, eviction lawyer Gurugram Noida, property fraud lawyer NCR, benami property lawyer NCR, title dispute lawyer NCR, partition suit lawyer Delhi NCR, Section 6 Specific Relief Act, tenant eviction lawyer Delhi NCR, property recovery Greater Noida, stuck project lawyer Noida.

Debt recovery NCR: debt recovery lawyer Gurugram, DRT Chandigarh lawyer, debt recovery Noida, money recovery Gurugram, loan recovery Noida, IBC creditor NCR, NCLT recovery NCR, asset recovery Gurugram Noida, summary suit NCR, bad debt recovery NCR, NPA recovery NCR.

Debt & asset recovery: debt recovery lawyer Delhi, asset recovery lawyer India, DRT lawyer Delhi, Debt Recovery Tribunal lawyer India, IBC recovery creditor lawyer, SARFAESI lawyer India, summary suit Delhi High Court, decree execution lawyer India, money recovery lawyer Delhi, loan recovery lawyer India, NPA recovery India, fraudulent transfer challenge India, guarantor liability IBC, personal insolvency guarantor India, NCLT creditor application, bad debt recovery India, financial creditor lawyer India, operational creditor IBC, DRAT lawyer Delhi, attachment before judgment India.

Industries: startup lawyer Delhi, NRI lawyer India, technology company lawyer India, fintech lawyer India, SaaS lawyer India, luxury brand lawyer India, pharma lawyer India, manufacturing counsel India, family business lawyer India.

Novation Legal
E-45 LGF, Greater Kailash Enclave II, New Delhi 110048, India
+91 79828 32079 · +91 99109 00970 · info@novationlegal.in
https://www.novationlegal.co.in
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