Garrigues has become the first major Spanish law firm to outline its desire to capture its share of the Indian market after entering into a non-exclusive cooperation agreement with Indian law firm Dua Associates.

Under the agreement, the two firms will work together to organise seminars, edit publications and develop secondment programs. "The agreement with Dua Associates gives expression to our longstanding close professional ties and will undoubtedly give added value to both firms," said Sergio Sánchez Solé, partner in charge of Garrigues' Indian desk.

Solé said he hopes the agreement will help companies take their first steps into India and that its India desk had already been active advising Fundación Consejo España-India, as well as other investors that turn to this institution to develop their corporate projects in the subcontinent.

No other Iberian law firm has entered into such an agreement with a law firm in India. The country's other two giant firms, Cuatrecasas and Uria Menendez, have pursued different strategies. Cuatrecasas has a 'best friends' relationship with Vaish Associates, while Uria is understood to have a preferential relationship with India's largest law firm, Amarchand & Mangaldas.

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