India’s Leading In-House Legal Professionals Come Together to Launch General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI)

Some of India Inc.’s senior General Counsels came together to launch the General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI) at an event organised at Gurugram on March 5, 2021. The objective of the association is to create a robust platform run, managed and operated by General Counsels across India in order to create a distinct professional identity and voice for General Counsels. Amongst the senior General Counsels present were Dr. Sanjeev Gemawat, Dalmia Bharat; Dr Akhil Prasad, Boeing India, Manjaree Chowdhary, Maruti Suzuki; Tejal Patil, OYO; Sameet Gambhir, DCM; Sameer Chugh, Bharti Group; Manish Lamba, DLF and Parvesh Kheterpal, Feedback Infra.

The launch function was graced by Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and former Chief Justice of India. Speaking on the occasion, Justice Gogoi said,

“A General Counsel is a qualified legal professional; well-versed with all laws of general application; and a specialist in the laws governing the Industry that he or she is associated with. Yet a General Counsel has no recognition in the practice of the legal profession, or as a part of a legal system currently in force in India. A General Counsel by virtue of his high specialisation is an asset to the judicial system. His capacity to directly assist the courts in its decision making can hardly be underplayed. The days ahead will see specialist judges, working in specific areas of laws. In fact, such a situation namely specialist judge, in my comprehension is a part solution to the several ills that presently plague our current judicial system. If specialist judges are a reality and a solution to the ills of the judicial process and the role of specialised professionals like General Counsels be underplayed; therefore and consequently fine-tuning of the laws, regulating the legal profession is an imminent legal reform that would be required to be addressed by the legal fraternity in conjunction with the legislature of which today I am a part. In my view, such a course correction is imperative, if we are to successfully meet the challenges of the coming times. Industry and corporates will have a distinct and sufficiently strong role to play in the daily life of the citizens. To meet the challenges ahead, we have to be prepared to make the laws according to the needs ahead of us. In this regard, the constitution of the national association of the General Counsels of India is undoubtedly a well-thought-out step in the right direction. Such a forum will not only strengthen the voice of the General Counsels but will also act as a platform for spreading awareness and exchanges which will be to the mutual benefit of all. I congratulate all the General Counsels on this occasion and wish the association all success.”

Shri Mahaveer Singhvi, IFS, Joint-Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs was also at the launch and lauded the initiative and expressed his best wishes for its success.

GCAI aims to be the premier association to serve the diversified needs of the in-house counsels, who are qualified law graduates holding a degree in law duly recognised by the Bar Council of India. In-house counsels are in employment with organizations, responsible for the enforcement of law and governance in their respective organisations, including handling all its legal matters. It will also help

to enhance the growth and quality of in-house legal professionals who can leverage the collective knowledge and wisdom of experienced members through collaboration and exchange of ideas.