Sanjay Asher

Crawford Bayley & Co, having established in 1830 currently has a team of 150 members, including 12 partners, over 100 associates and 15 paralegal personnel and a supporting staff of over 75 individuals.

When the Indian market liberalised in the early 1990s, Crawford Bayley first established itself as a firm of choice for International clients. It is currently competing with a number of similar high quality peers who are also adapting to India’s modernisation. Crawford Bayley has a broad capability and a number of industry sector experts. While it still ranks within the top 10 or 15 Indian firms for corporate deals, the firm will continue to make the very best of staff, partners and resources in order to maintain its position in the current competitive market and continue to provide such high quality services.

The Indian Government seeks to hold its budget deficit to 5.5% of GDP in FY 2010-11, down from 6.8% in the previous fiscal year. India's long term challenges include widespread poverty, inadequate physical and social infrastructure, limited non-agricultural employment opportunities, insufficient access to quality basic and higher education, and accommodating rural-to-urban migration.

Economic liberalisation, including industrial deregulation, privatisation of state-owned enterprises, and reduced controls on foreign trade and investment began in India in the early 1990s and has served to accelerate the country's growth, which has averaged more than 7% per year since 1997. India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services.

The individual partners of Crawford Bayley & Co. specialise in the following practice areas: corporate and commercial practice, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, joint ventures and foreign collaboration, privatisation and disinvestment, banking and corporate finance, intellectual property law, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate and property law, indirect taxation, labour and employment, admiralty and shipping law, information technology, and e-banking and e-commerce.

Crawford Bayley & Co’s expertise includes structured and acquisition financing, investment funds, trade and private equity financing, structured products as well as regulatory matters. The firm is also recognised for its experience in aviation financing.

Within capital markets, Crawford Bayley & Co is a second tier firm. The team at Crawford Bayley & Co is held in ‘incredibly high regard’ for its expertise for debt and equity transactions. It is particularly noted for its expertise in IPOs, cross border syndicated loans, structured and acquisition financing, and regulatory matters. Within Corporate/M&A, Crawford Bayley & Co is a third tier firm. Crawford Bayley & Co is experienced in a vast array of transactional work, as well as advising clients on matters such as regulatory, compliance and corporate reorganisation.

Providing clients with a ‘very high level of service’, Crawford Bayley & Co is recommended for a wide range of expertise including banking, commercial, media, insolvency and property and securities disputes.

Within Insurance, Crawford Bayley & Co is a capable firm, Crawford Bayley & Co is highly recommended for its reputation in the insurance arena. Within Intellectual property, Crawford Bayley & Co is a top tier firm. The team at Crawford Bayley & Co provides advise on matters such as copyright and design, patents, trade marks, licensing and IP protection.

Sanjay Asher is a solicitor and a chartered accountant. He is a senior partner at the law firm Crawford Bayley & Co. He has over 20 years' experience in the field of M&A, cross border M&A, joint ventures, and capital markets, and advises large, medium and small business enterprises on these subjects.

Mr Asher was invited to join the committee formed by the government of India (department of disinvestment) for the purposes of standardising the transaction documents in relation to privatisation of the public sector enterprises of the government of India.

He was also a member of the committee in respect of Indo-US Financial Institutions Reforms and Expansion Projects (capital markets) for the purpose of development of the securities law bar and the securities law course in India.

He has been a speaker at various seminars and conferences organised by Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Chartered Secretaries of India, Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Indian Merchant Chambers, and International Financial Law Review.

He has authored several articles published in national and international publications.