Two scoops this week, one from law firm land, and one from our favourite regulator.

If you believe those Supreme Court judges who say that the CBI is a caged parrot, then it might be fair to also assume that the Modi regime does not have much love lost for the Bar Council of India (BCI).

First, apologies dear especially loved readers for the 3-day delay of last week’s newsletter: a seasonal cold had come around and felled me (but fortunately, since these days are rather busy, I’m now fully back on my feet again).

This week we have some exclusive news on HSA going full-steam ahead, an unreported S&R star hire (and why I think it could be one of the best-placed firms if the foreigners ever come), and a little bit of gossip on what Luthra has been up to the last few years.

Welcome to Legally India’s first ever premium-subscribers-only newsletter and also a massive thank you for being one of that special breed of human being who will support journalism online. We are truly blessed to have you as our reader and supporter.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) made its first very cautious splashes out of the shallows.

This week we looked at some of those lawyers who took the road that is often rocky but also sometimes incredibly scenic.

There is little doubt that one firm still rules the capital markets roost. However, others are starting to worry its lead in the practice area, as evidenced by Legally India’s exclusive analysis this week.

Either the Indian Government is short of cash, is in full GST mode or it just does not like lawyers very much.

At India’s law schools legal aid and pro bono culture is flourishing but somewhere along the line lawyers seem to lose the opportunity to do good.

Satyam settled a New York class action law suit against its shareholders for $125m. But was it good news for India?

Those who were predicting that the AZB-Clifford Chance break-up would be the beginning of the end for best friends everywhere had reason to think again this week.

Having survived recent media speculation that he was on his way out, law minister Veerappa Moily showed off that he is very much aware of the issues around him, as revealed in a candid interview with business daily Mint this week. He also remains ever the seasoned politician.

The Chennai writ petition against 31 foreign firms is certainly not achieving very much in pure legal terms after it was adjourned again this week of Indian independence celebrations. Manu Singhvi argued the case was politically premature, the petitioners held their positions and the BCI called for more time to get another meeting in, which is set to be held tomorrow. But the real effect is outside the court room.

From today Indian law firms will have to get used to AZB being officially single again, Legally India can reveal.

Clifford Chance and AZB broke off their best friendship late last night, which means that global CC rivals will again be more comfortable approaching AZB with referrals.

“I don’t think there is any single international firm out there which has the ability to sustain any firm like ours [in terms of referrals],” one AZB lawyer summed up eloquently last week.

Most lawyers were hoping for things to slow down by year-end but for many it’s been more a case of pre-year closings and petitions.

The Competition Commission (CCI) is tip-toeing ahead rather carefully and prudently it appears. Rather than swinging its cartel-sundering axe too readily, the CCI’s first ever decision this week went in favour of the alleged cartel, clearing 16 banks from having fixed home loan-related penalty rates.

This week the Delhi bar council settled what sounded like quite a violent fist and pistol fight between two elected members, allegedly.

After a long slumber, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) fired its first warning shot across the bow of corporate India this week, allegedly slapping Kingfisher Airlines with a maximum fine of Rs 1 crore for not having played along with investigations.

At least two bombshells dropped both sides of this week.