Capital Markets

Introduction:

White and Brief's Capital Markets practice in India is distinguished by its deep regulatory knowledge and extensive experience in securities markets. Demonstrating a holistic and reliable expertise related to the interplay between Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) regulations, RBI regulations, Companies Act and Income-tax Act, our team offers expert legal advice and services to clients navigating the complexities of capital market transactions, compliance, and governance within the Indian context.

Overview

The Indian capital market, a crucial segment of the financial system, is instrumental in facilitating the efficient allocation of resources through the issuance and trading of securities. It comprises the stock (equity) market and the bond (debt) market, each serving different investment and financing needs. The equity market enables the buying and selling of company shares, while the debt market involves the issuance of bonds by entities looking to raise capital. Regulatory oversight by SEBI, along with other institutions such as the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), ensures a stable, secure, and transparent investment environment​​. Hence, it is important to de-risk a securities transaction by adopting a multilateral legal approach.

Services Offered

Our Capital Markets services include:

  • Guidance on public offerings (IPOs), rights issues, and private placements.
  • Assistance with regulatory compliance and SEBI & RBI regulations.
  • Representation in dealings with regulatory authorities and stock exchanges.
  • Advisory on corporate governance and disclosure requirements.
  • Support for the listing and delisting of securities.
  • Legal assistance with debt issuances and securitization transactions.
  • Specialized support for compliance and legal representation related to Insider trading
  • End-to-end legal support for fundraising activities involving venture capital and private equity
  • Assistance for conducting business operations and exploring listing in GIFT-IFSC

Expertise and Experience

White and Brief boasts a team with unparalleled expertise in capital market laws and regulations, having successfully advised numerous clients on complex transactions and regulatory matters. Our deep understanding of SEBI's evolving regulatory landscape, including recent amendments and circulars, positions us to offer timely advice tailored to our clients' needs​​​​ and enable proactive compliance.

Our Approach

Our approach to capital market transactions and compliance is proactive and client-focused. We closely monitor regulatory developments to provide up-to-date advice that aligns with our clients' strategic objectives. By combining legal excellence with a deep and holistic understanding of the capital markets ecosystem, we help clients navigate regulatory complexities, mitigate risks, and capitalize on opportunities while being legally compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the key regulations governing capital markets in India?

A: Key regulations include the SEBI Act, 1992, Companies Act, 2013, the Securities Contract (Regulation) Act, 1956, SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018, SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the Depositories Act, 1996, and various other regulations applicable to issue and listing of securities, disclosure requirements, and investor protection​​.

Q: How does SEBI protect investor interests in the capital market?

A: SEBI enforces strict regulatory measures to prevent malpractices like insider trading and ensures transparency and fairness in the market. It supervises and regulates the activities of market intermediaries, enhances investor education, and monitors corporate governance of listed entities​​.

Q: What is your approach to managing SEBI investigations?

We efficiently manage disputes related to capital market transactions, insider trading allegations, and compliance violations. Our strategic approach involves a comprehensive review of the client's practices, meticulous preparation of the defense, and representing the client during SEBI proceedings to ensure a favorable outcome. We also actively participate in advocacy efforts to fetch a non-adversarial outcome for our client.

Q: How does your firm handle regulatory compliance for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) under SEBI regulations?

Our experts offer advisory on structuring AIFs, ensuring compliance with SEBI’s regulatory framework, and assisting in the registration process, documentation, and ongoing compliance management.

Q: How do you assist startups seeking to list on SEBI's Innovators Growth Platform?

Our team provides end-to-end support to startups and offers specialized services including eligibility assessment, preparation of listing documentation, adherence to SEBI’s disclosure requirements, and strategic advice on capital raising through the Innovators Growth Platform.

For anyone seeking to understand or engage with the Indian capital markets, partnering with White and Brief provides the advantage of navigating the regulatory environment with ease, backed by expert legal support and industry-approved advisory.

In a dynamic and highly regulated securities market, capital raising necessitates an incisive understanding of the legal aspects of the corporate governance and the listing requirements. Our team has the expertise in providing pragmatic solution driven legal advice and handling complex domestic and international capital market transactions by supporting various market participants including financial institutions, investment banks, stock exchanges, corporates and government entities.

We have the requisite credentials for advising clients on the entire spectrum of capital market activities such as Initial Public Offerings, Follow-On Public Offerings, issuance and listing of American Depository Receipts and Global Depository Receipts, Preferential Allotments, Rights Issues, Qualified Institutions Placements, Bonus Issues, Buybacks, Offer for Sale through Stock Exchanges, Infrastructure Investment Trusts, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds, Public Issue And Private Placement Of Non-Convertible Debentures, Bank Medium-Term Note ('MTN') Programs amongst others. We also provide advisory services to listed companies and work in close coordination with its litigation team to represent client companies in regulatory proceedings before the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Securities Appellate Tribunal and litigation matters before various High Courts and the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

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