ACoS 8th Annual Meet & International Summit 2024: Legal Professionals Pivotal To “Viksit Bharat At 2047”

The ACoS 8th Annual Meet & International Summit 2024, themed “Viksit Bharat @ 2047: The Role of the Legal Profession in Building a Developed Nation”, was held at Hotel EROS, New Delhi. The event witnessed participation from over 150 legal professionals, including General Counsel of multinational corporations, senior legal experts, and key figures from India Inc., reflecting on the legal profession’s role in shaping India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

The summit commenced with an Inaugural Session attended by dignitaries such as  Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament; Justice Rakesh Tiwari, former Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court; Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, President, DSCRDC and former Judge, Delhi High Court; and  Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice.

In his opening remarks,  Parvesh Kheterpal, Founder of ACoS, highlighted the significant contributions of legal professionals, particularly In-House Counsel, in strengthening governance, ensuring compliance, and shaping public policy. He emphasised their vital role in lawmaking, cross-border transactions, and navigating human rights and international legal challenges critical to India’s growth as a superpower.

The session featured impactful speeches:

• Justice Rakesh Tiwari underscored Artificial Intelligence’s transformative potential in the legal field to realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
• Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal lauded women lawyers and judges for their contributions towards fostering equity and development.
• Manoj Kumar stressed strengthening the legal framework to inspire investor trust.
• Sasmit Patra articulated that a robust legal framework ensures rule of law, dispute resolution, business regulation, and human rights protection—cornerstones of India’s development.

Engaging Technical Sessions

The summit featured four technical sessions addressing crucial themes:

• Making Bharat a Global Hub for Arbitration
• Global Deal Dynamics: Strategies for Successful Cross-Border Transactions
• Economic Offences: Compliance and Risk Mitigation Strategies
• ESG and Sustainability Goals for Viksit Bharat

These sessions explored how legal infrastructure can support India’s aspirations for global business leadership while upholding governance and ethical standards.

Special Addresses and Valedictory Session

Senior Advocate  Arvind Nayyar and  Manoj Kumar Singh, Counsel at S&A Law Offices, delivered special addresses, highlighting the legal profession’s role in fostering economic, social, and environmental development.

The Valedictory Session, graced by  Ravi Shankar Prasad, Member of Parliament and Senior Advocate, underscored the profession’s importance in ensuring justice, accountability, and reforms pivotal for an inclusive and prosperous India.

In a heartfelt gesture, the event honoured Women in Law for their exceptional contributions, with  Ravi Shankar Prasad acknowledging their critical role in legal and societal advancement.

Parvesh Kheterpal raised the issue of recognising In-House Counsel as advocates under the Advocates Act, announcing plans for further discussions on the matter.

The ACoS Governing Council extended gratitude to all participants, presenting mementos to the dignitaries. The summit reinforced the integral role legal professionals will play in shaping a Viksit Bharat, blending justice, innovation, and prosperity as the nation progresses towards 2047.