Hemant Batra

Hemant K. Batra
Secretary General, SAARCLAW[1] Apex Body of SAARC
Assumed office
2014
Preceded by Tania Amir
Personal details
Born (1967-08-15) 15 August 1967
Hisar, Haryana, India
Spouse(s) Preeti Wahi
Children son and daughter
Residence Gurgaon, Delhi NCR and Dubai
Alma mater GMHS 16, Chandigarh
Punjab University, Chandigarh
Profession Lawyer[2][3][4]
Philanthropist
Social Activist[5][6][7]
Religion Hinduism

[7][8] Hemant K. Batra (born 15 August 1967) is a Corporate, Business and Strategist commercial lawyer.[9] He is the founder and executive managing partner of Kaden Boriss law firm.[3][10][11][12] Kaden Boriss[13] was originally established as a partnership firm under the common law of the Indian partnership act but was later transformed into a newly set up regime of LLP. However, due to lack of clarity under the regulatory framework for lawyers and law firms, Kaden Boriss LLP reverted to its old structure under the older partnership law.[14] It was also felt by the partners of Kaden Boriss that unless foreign direct investment was permitted in the Indian legal services sector, forming an LLP had hardly any added benefits. It also partnered with I-Inspire 2013, national conference for women leaders, aiming to be a confluence of ideas, a convergence of thoughts and celebration of the spirit of diversity and entrepreneurship. Hemant holds a position as the Secretary General[15] of SAARCLAW[16] (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation in Law).[17] SAARCLAW is a regional Apex body of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). He is also the Chairperson of the Organizing Council of International Infrastructure & Construction Law Arbitration Moot (IICLAM)[18] and Member of the Advisory Board of the Organisation for International Cooperation (OIC) based in New Jersey, USA.[19] IICLAM[20] is a joint initiative of Kaden Boriss, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Singapore.[21] He is recipient of prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Seva Medal with other awardees being His Holiness Dalai Lama, then President of India Shri K. R. Narayanan,UPA Chairperson & President of INC Smt Sonia Gandhi and Speaker Lok Sabha Smt Meira Kumar. Batra is author of speaking threads a collection of his thought provoking quotes. The most popular being - Think twice before saying `yes' and just once before saying `no'. Hemant Batra took over as the Chairman of the prestigious panel of jury for the grant of Aces Awards for Corporate Excellence and Sustainability in Asia.[22][23]

UNDP acknowledges Hemant Batra as a socio-legal activist. “We are committed to social justice and can play a key role in encouraging legal reforms and disseminating information on progressive decisions, related to human rights, across the legal community in South Asia,” says Hemant Batra on UNDP website.[24]

Law & Legal Cooperation

Bhutan hosted the 12th SAARCLAW Conference[25] and the 9th SAARC Chief Justices’ Conference[26] with Hemant Batra as the Secretary General of the Conference. Hemant Batra is also actively associated with National Law University, Delhi. The University organized its first International Conference on Access to Legal Information & Research in Digital Age in association with SAARCLAW in March, 2012. The Conference was inaugurated in the presence of Hon'ble Mr. Justice D.K. Jain, Judge Supreme Court of India Hon'ble Mr. Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, Acting Chief Justice, Delhi High Court & Chancellor, NLU, Delhi, Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor, NLU, Delhi and Mr. Hemant Batra, Secretary General SAARCLAW.[27] Batra also presented a vital paper on issues connected with WTO at the 10th SAARCLAW Conference held at Karachi on the theme, "Leap Forward - Next Generation Laws".[28][29] Mrs. Dhara Wijayatilake, President, SAARCLAW and Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Law Reform and National Integration, Sri Lanka complimented Hemant at the 10th SAARCLAW Conference, Karachi, Pakistan for his efficiency and commitment.[30] 20 February 2004 The first annual Asia Entrepreneurship Forum (AEF), organised by Enterprise Asia kicked off on 19 September 2012. Five hundred of the region’s leading business leaders and industry thought leaders gathered in Macau, one of Asia’s fastest growing cities to discuss the future of entrepreneurship in Asia. Hemant K. Batra, Executive Managing Partner, Kaden Boriss, Secretary General at SAARCLAW spoke on legal and regulatory issues in mergers and acquisitions deals.[31][32][33]

Though not as a Secretary General of SAARCLAW but taking advantage of his standing in South Asia including Pakistan, he took up the issue of grant of mercy to the Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh (now deceased).[34] Batra has done substantial work for ensuring legal rights of people living with HIV and key populations at higher risk of exposure to HIV.[35]

Considered as one of the prominent authorities on cross-border issues connected with legal profession, he was invited by the Harvard Law School to share his thoughts with senior students on the Future Market for Corporate Legal Services in India.[36]

He has always mooted for opening up of the legal profession in India be it allowing foreign lawyers as well as showcasing. According to him medicine and law were once on the same footing as "noble professions" and as the corporatization of the medical profession has been permitted, the restrictions on lawyers are unjustified.[3] These views were expressed by him to the Live Mint and the Wall Street Journal.

Batra vociferously defended former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi in UK as well as in India.[37][38][39] Three leading publications captured his interview, namely, India Today, Daily Mail UK and Tehelka.

Origin and Background

Hemant was born in Hisar (city) located in the Indian state of Haryana, to Veena Batra and G.L Batra who was the Additional Secretary in the Indian parliament[40] and Chairman of the Haryana State Public Service Commission. In 1988 he graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and in 1991 received his Bachelor of Law degree from Chandigarh Law faculty in Panjab University.[41] Hemant Batra and his wife Preeti Wahi Batra, who is also a prominent commercial lawyer were interviewed by a leading international business magazine Outlook Money regarding changing trends in investing for the future of one's child. They have two children .[42] Interestingly, Hemant has a fetish for electronic gadgets and changes them every six months.[43]

Legal & Socio-Economic Pathways

Hemant started his law practice in the year 1991 with Solicitors - Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co. Four years later he joined Kesar Dass B. & Associates[44] and by year 2000 became a managing partner of its corporate office. In 2006, he founded an international law firm named Käden Boriss Legal. Kaden Boriss is a legal and business strategist firm with offices in India, Australia and UAE.[45][46][47] A prominent Australian law firm LBR Legal merged its practice with Batra's law firm Kaden Boriss in 2010 when the Managing Partner of LBR Sunil Lal said that `if you can't beat Indians then best way is to join them'.

Hemant has worked with many multinational firms such as Bayer, Suzuki, LG, Philip Morris (JV), Coca Cola, Accor, Findel, AMEX, Western Union, ABB and Knight Frank. He has also been an advisor for various former Chief Justices of India, Senior Counsels and Members of the Indian Parliament.[48] On the social front Hemant associated with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNAIDS, and the World Bank by venturing into a very sensitive zone thereby discussing Human Rights Challenges Faced by Key Populations at Higher Risk of HIV.[49] He has always propagated the idea of Parents respecting the sexual preferences of their kids.[50] People find themselves so busy these days that they only have vague succession plans with no documentation. But irrespective of age (everyone) needs to keep his or her succession planning ready as death always comes unannounced, propagates Hemant Batra.[51] Recently, one eminent lawyer from Cornell described Hemant as one of the best brains in the corporate transactional legal work.[52]

He is Goodwill Ambassador to the World NGO Day, headquartered in London.The World NGO Day is an international calendar day held on 27 February every year. For stronger, better & more effective civil society worldwide through an international annual calendar day for NGOs, NPOs and CSOs.[53] WND Secretariat and SAARCLAW have entered into an MoU on 24 February 2012 to promote objectives of their respective organizations and also expand NGO horizons in India and the SAARC region.[54]

He was re-elected as the Secretary General of SAARCLAW on 12 April 2014 in Kathmandu when Indian and Pakistan came together to propose his name and Bangladesh/Bhutan seconded it.[55][56]

Hemant Batra as the Chairman of the prestigious panel of jury for the grant of Aces Awards for Corporate Excellence and Sustainability in Asia promoted the concept of excellence and sustainability in the corporate world terming it as integral part of good governance.[57][58]

Criticism

It is noticed that Hemant has been unnecessarily critical of newer legislation and even verdicts passed by courts of law.[59][60] As Secretary General of SAARCLAW, he made a controversial public statement that in south Asian region the parliamentarians were not able to meet up expectations of their people.[61]

He made a controversial statement in a leading English news paper The Tribune by expressing concern over the alleged ill-treatment of Mr Justice Rana Bhagwandas, the first Hindu to be appointed Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan, and his family members by immigration authorities at the Wagah border on March 29, 2006.[34] He also released a very controversial report in collaboration with UNDP seeking stronger legal protection for women in health care settings.[62] The report reflects many gaps in laws in South Asia and is very women specific and specific gender based thereby creating complete dissension amongst gender. This report has come under heavy criticism for being lope sided.

Batra just wants to be in news by speaking on contentious and critically controversial issues. In 2007, he had made a sweeping allegation against residents of big cities stating that they had load of unaccounted cash monies which they were investing in far off agriculture lands located in remote states. He said that their motive was to eventually blend their black monies with agriculture income. He branded such people as money launderers.[63] Batra was also quoted in The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting for having said that "India is today the most isolated country within its region." This definitely was strong comment against India's foreign policy.[64]

During the 10th SAARC Chief Justices Conference, Hemant Batra made a sweeping statement regarding SAARCLAW's landmark achievement in getting 1 Million US$ grant[65] from Asian Development Bank. Some delegates from Bangladesh were critical of SAARCLAW getting into a subordinate position to ADB because of this grant.

Honorary positions

References

  1. ↑ "South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation in Law". Saarclaw. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  2. ↑ "Mr Hemant K Batra Lead Partner Kaden Boriss Legal LLP, National Capital Region - Lawyer Biography". International Law Office. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  3. 1 2 3 "Law firms find loopholes to promote their services". Livemint. 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  4. ↑ aknoi tm (May 16, 2009). "CNBC TV 18 Expert Corporate Lawyer Hemant K Batra From Kaden Boriss India speaks on Satyam Scam" (YouTube). Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  5. 1 2 "Leadership Programme Committee". Icaap11.org. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  6. ↑ "Nouvelle en détail". Idlo.int. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  7. 1 2 "SAARCLAW has new Secretary General The SAARCLAW Executive Council (EXCO), the international governing body of SAARCLAW (South Asian Association For Regional Co-operation in Law) elected Hemant Batra its Vice President, as the new Secretary General (SG) of SAARCLAW. He has been the incumbent Vice President of SAARCLAW since 2007 and his name was proposed by Pakistan and seconded by Bhutan/India. He takes over from the current incumbent Tania Amir ul Islam, a renowned barrister and constitutional expert from Bangladesh". Epaper.timesofindia.com. 2011-01-14. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  8. ↑ "Nouvelle en détail". Idlo.int. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  9. ↑ "Corporate lawyer Hemant Batra from Kaden Boris speaks on Satyam Scam". CNBC.
  10. ↑ "Kaden Boriss Legal LLP - Lawyers in Gurgaon, India". HG.org. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  11. ↑ "Lawyer Biography".
  12. ↑ "Hemant Batra speaks on Satyam Scam and Maytas Fraud". Zee Business.
  13. ↑ "| Asia Today International - Asia Business, Trends and Industry News". Asiatoday.com.au. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  14. ↑ "Law firms still unsure about LLPs - Print View". Livemint. 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  15. ↑ "Core Team Members". One Only Nature Endures. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  16. ↑ "Apex and recognized bodies".
  17. ↑ "L'OIDD SIGNE UN PROTOCOLE D'ENTENTE AVEC SAARCLAW".
  18. ↑ "2nd International Infrastructure & Construction Law Arbitration Moot (IICLAM)". Siac.org.sg. 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  19. ↑ "Organization for International Cooperation" (PDF). 14 Jan 2012.
  20. ↑ organizer (2011-07-28). "International Infrastructure and Construction Law Arbitration Moot (IICLAM)". Mootcourt.in. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  21. ↑ Law, Amity (2012-07-16). "Amity Law School, Noida: 5th International Infrastructure & Construction Law Arbitrationn Moot (IICLAM) 2012". Amitylawschool.blogspot.in. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  22. ↑ http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/11/26/focus-corporate-sustainability-inaugural-aces-awards.html
  23. ↑ http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=business/seven-lankan-companies-short-listed-aces
  24. ↑ http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2013/11/21/report-urges-stronger-legal-protections-for-women-and-girls-affected-by-hiv-in-health-care-settings.html
  25. ↑ Samten Wangchuk. "A congregation of regional legal experts".
  26. ↑ "SAARCLAW conference begins in Thimpu".
  27. ↑ "Legal EVENT - International Conference on Access to Legal Information & Research in Digital Age - LU APRIL 2012". Lawyersupdate.co.in. 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  28. ↑ "The World Trade Review". The World Trade Review. 2004-03-15. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  29. ↑ "ONLINE - International News Network". Onlinenews.com.pk. 2004-01-31. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  30. ↑ "featur03". Island.lk. 2004-02-20. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  31. ↑ "Ignite Media Group | News, Initiatives and Partnerships". Igniteasia.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  32. ↑ "AEF 2012 - Macau". Enterpriseasia.org. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  33. ↑ "Macau.com". Macau.com. 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  34. 1 2 "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab". Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  35. ↑ http://www.hivlawcommission.org/index.php/follow-up-stories/84-south-asian-legal-fraternity-and-communities-gather-to-discuss-human-rights-challenges-faced-by-key-populations-at-higher-risk-of-hiv
  36. ↑ "Sachin Pilot To Address Conference Organised By Isb And Harvard Law School - Core Sector Communique". Corecommunique.com. 2012-12-06. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  37. ↑ http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lalit-modi-sc-judge-umesh-c-banerjee-indian-premier-league/1/445263.html
  38. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-3128654/Former-Supreme-Court-judge-batted-Lalit-UC-Banerjee-s-endorsement-helped-ex-IPL-czar-extend-UK-stay.html
  39. ↑ http://www.tehelka.com/swaraj-ambani-ncp-leaders-ex-sc-judge-in-lalit-modi-imbroglio/?singlepage=1
  40. ↑ "Parliament of India".
  41. 1 2 3 "Hemant Batra Profile". saarclaw.org.
  42. ↑ "business.outlookindia.com |". Outlookmoney.com. 2009-02-25. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  43. ↑ "'I change gadgets every six months'". Business Standard. 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  44. ↑ "Delegating authority via power of attorney". Expressindia.indianexpress.com. 1997-07-25. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  45. ↑ "Advisory council". India Law Journal.
  46. ↑ http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/news/aus-indian-firm-opens-brisbane-office
  47. ↑ http://asiatoday.com.au/content/kaden-boriss
  48. ↑ "Profile of speakers". enterpriseasia.org.
  49. ↑ "news_20111109". Asia-pacific.undp.org. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  50. ↑ PTI, Sep 19, 2009, 12.00am IST (2009-09-19). "Parents spy on kids to know their sexual preferences - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  51. ↑ Teena Jain (2007-02-19). "Where there’s a will". Livemint. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  52. ↑ https://freeexpression.in/2015/12/interview-with-mr-aditya-shankar/
  53. ↑ "World NGO Day". World NGO Day. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  54. ↑ "World NGO Day: South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation in Law (SAARCLAW) enters into an MoU with World NGO Day Secretariat (WND), London". Worldngoday.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  55. 1 2 http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140514/haryana.htm
  56. 1 2 http://epaper.tribuneindia.com/272025/Haryana-Edition/HR_14_May_2014#page/2/3
  57. ↑ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/smes-leading-corporate-houses-across-000000558.html
  58. ↑ http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/press-release/indonesias-best-corporate-companies-won-the-prestigious-aces-awards-2014/
  59. ↑ "No Act Of Corporate Democracy | Arindam Mukherjee". Outlookindia.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  60. ↑ "Nineteen For Him". www.outlookindia.com. 2011-02-28. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  61. ↑ Defox says:. "SAARC Chief Justices’ Conference and 12th SAARCLAW Conference in Thimphu – The Bhutanese". Thebhutanese.bt. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  62. ↑ http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2013/11/21/report-urges-stronger-legal-protections-for-women-and-girls-affected-by-hiv-in-health-care-settings.html
  63. ↑ "Money launderers turning to farmland - Print View". Livemint. 2007-03-28. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  64. ↑ http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/untold-stories/india-fractured-democracy
  65. ↑ http://purbelinews.net/2016/03/05/nepals-constitution-most-democratic-inclusive-cj-shrestha/
  66. ↑ "Leading Indian lawyer, Hemant Batra appointed new Secretary General for SAARCLAW".
  67. ↑ "Hemant Batra is Director - South Asia Region of the World NGO Day Initiative (WND)". liveleak.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  68. ↑ "UNAIDS UNESCAP & SAARCLAW Hemant Batra Steve Kraus Nanda Kaririks". FirstPost.
  69. ↑ "Advisory board of OIC". OICWorldpeace.org.
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