Senior Solicitor
New Delhi
+919810299947
Distinguished Practitioner
English
Hindi
Gujarati
Dispute resolution
A Senior Solicitor at Dua Associates, Shiraz is a highly regarded advocate, with a proven track record in her practice areas of Dispute Resolution-Litigation & Arbitration and International Trade. She has worked with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to closely held Indian and foreign companies, in a broad range of civil and criminal matters.
Shiraz is also a recognized authority on World Trade Organization agreements having worked on WTO negotiations on anti-dumping and anti-subsidies agreements. She is credited with creating a specialist practice group at the firm on Anti-Corruption & White-Collar Crimes, under which she has handled advisory as well as litigation assignments.
Shiraz has been recognized as an Elite Leading Individual lawyer for her International Trade and Dispute Resolution – Litigation practice by leading global ranking guides For the last several years consecutively, she has been recognized by Benchmark Litigation’s Asia-Pacific Top 100 Women in Litigation and named a Litigation Star – Commercial Transactions and Intellectual Property .
Shiraz has been listed in Forbes India Power list as one of the top individual lawyers in Litigation and International Trade/ Anti-Dumping practice areas. Further, she has been included in the prestigious ALB’s Super 50 Dispute Lawyers in Asia list. Shiraz has been identified as among India’s top lawyers and included in India Business Law Journal’s (IBLJ) prestigious A-List for several years including 2023-24.
As a thought leader, Shiraz frequently contributes articles and recently co-authored a by invitation article on Trade Law published in 8th edition of The International Trade Law Review which is a definitive guide to the current state of global trade law and practice has contributions from recognized experts globally.
Shiraz is an Advocate-on-Record of the Supreme Court of India and a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Bombay Incorporated Law Society, Bombay Bar Association and is an Associate Member of Delhi High Court Bar Association.
1. Ms. Shiraz Patodia represents The Dow Chemical Company (TDCC) and the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) in a highly contested public interest litigation before the High Court of Madhya Pradesh. This litigation primarily revolves around demands for the remediation of the factory site and compensation for environmental harm resulting from the Bhopal Gas Leak. Throughout the proceedings, Ms. Patodia has brought forth pivotal legal issues concerning the jurisdictional reach over foreign corporations and the extent of vicarious liability, if any, that may be imposed upon a successor or parent entity for actions allegedly carried out by its subsidiary. Following the Bhopal Gas tragedy, a focused effort to address the toxic waste commenced in July 2004, triggered by a Writ Petition filed by Mr. Alok Pratap Singh against the Union of India and other respondents, including UCC and TDCC, before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The High Court, while deferring the question of liability for the time being, has issued numerous orders and directives aimed at the disposal of toxic waste and related matters. This case holds significant implications as the High Court is expected to provide insights into the doctrines of strict liability and absolute liability in environmental litigation, along with considerations regarding the liability of a parent company and the vicarious liability of a successor corporation that has not consented to the jurisdiction of Indian Courts.
2. Ms. Shiraz Patodia is advising the Crocs Inc. group in setting up a wholly owned subsidiary in India in an expeditious manner. She has been aiding the Crocs group while navigating through various issues under the Companies Act, the Foreign Exchange Laws and the Customs Laws in India. With her able assistance and strategy, the Company successfully registered its new entity and has been able to secure all necessary registrations / compliances within the stipulated timeframes to meet business expansion requirements.
3. Ms. Shiraz Patodia provides advisory services to ELCA Cosmetics Pvt Ltd and Estee Lauder Companies Inc (ELCA) regarding a series of notices alleging claims against an individual purported to be its employee, as well as implicating ELCA in related transactions. Subsequently, a lawsuit has been initiated before the District Court, Mumbai, wherein the Plaintiffs allege that they advanced certain sums of money based on misrepresentations by the purported employee of ELCA. Furthermore, the purported employee is accused of making defamatory remarks against the Plaintiffs. The suit seeks a permanent injunction and damages amounting to INR 100 crores. In response, Ms. Patodia has formulated a strategy aimed at removing ELCA from the list of defendants in the lawsuit. This strategy is grounded on the assertion that ELCA has no association whatsoever with the purported employee or the representations made. Moreover, it is contended that the defamation claims against ELCA lack merit and are misconceived. Additionally, the entirety of the claim pertains to personal transactions in which ELCA neither has involvement nor connection. Currently, the suit is at the stage of party appearance following the issuance of notices. Ms. Patodia continues to advocate for ELCA's position in these proceedings.
Dispute resolution
Shiraz is an Advocate-on-Record of the Supreme Court of India and a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Bombay Incorporated Law Society, Bombay Bar Association and is an Associate Member of Delhi High Court Bar Association.
Shiraz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from The Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Government Law College, University of Bombay.
