Indian link for Charles Russell

CITY firm Charles Russell has established an association with an Indian legal practice.

The association with Bombay-based Desai, Berjis & Chinoy comes shortly after the Indian government's restriction on the UK firms setting up in India.

Simon Slater, director of marketing at Charles Russell, said: "We have a policy of not setting up our own offices abroad but instead setting up relationships with firms that have similar practices and values to our own. Our association with Desai, Berjis & Chinoy is as close as you can get to an exclusive referral."

UK firms investing in India will be referred by Charles Russell to Desai, Berjis & Chinoy, and vice versa.

Both firms specialise in corporate and private client work and already share some clients including Gammon of India. Desai's other clients include DHL and Proctor & Gamble.

Charles Russell also has international connections in Europe, the US, the Far East, Australia and South Africa.

Ashurst Morris Crisp is currently appealing to the Indian Supreme Court against a decision made by the Bombay High Court to accept a petition from the Bombay Lawyers Collective, a public interest group. The collective is suing Ashursts and two US firms for practising illegally in India.