B.P. & Associates
Practice Areas

Areas of practice

Thirty areas of law, arranged in five groups. Search by subject or statute, or filter by group. The descriptions are general information and do not constitute legal advice.

Group A

Criminal and Constitutional Law

  1. 01

    Criminal Litigation & Defence

    Criminal proceedings from the stage of complaint or FIR through investigation, trial and appeal. Matters may involve bail and anticipatory bail, discharge, framing of charges, examination of witnesses and final arguments. Since 1 July 2024, offences and procedure are governed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, while proceedings pending earlier continue under the former laws where applicable.

  2. 02

    Constitutional Law & Writ Petitions

    Proceedings to enforce fundamental and legal rights against the State and its instrumentalities. Writ petitions lie before the High Court under Article 226, and before the Supreme Court under Article 32 for the enforcement of fundamental rights. Relief may take the form of habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari, prohibition or quo warranto, depending on the grievance and on whether an alternative remedy is available.

  3. 03

    White-Collar Crime & Economic Offences

    Allegations of financial wrongdoing such as cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery and misappropriation, together with proceedings under special statutes including the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002. These matters often turn on documentary and banking records, and may involve specialised investigating agencies, attachment of property, and parallel civil or regulatory action.

  4. 04

    Cybercrime & Information Technology Law

    Offences and disputes arising from computer systems, online platforms and electronic records, including unauthorised access, identity theft, online financial fraud and the publication of unlawful content. The Information Technology Act, 2000 operates alongside the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the admissibility of electronic evidence is governed by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. Questions of personal data may also arise under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

  5. 05

    Administrative Law & Judicial Review

    Review of decisions taken by government departments, statutory bodies and other public authorities. The court examines whether a decision was within the authority's legal power, whether a fair procedure and the principles of natural justice were followed, and whether the outcome was reasonable and non-arbitrary under Article 14. The focus is on how the decision was reached rather than on substituting the court's own view.

  6. 06

    Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

    Petitions raising questions of public importance, such as the rights of disadvantaged groups, public health, environmental harm or serious failures of public administration. Courts entertain such proceedings where the petitioner acts in good faith in the public interest rather than for private gain or publicity. The High Courts and the Supreme Court have framed specific rules on how PIL petitions must be presented, verified and supported.

  7. 07

    Appeals, Revisions & Review Petitions

    Challenges to judgments and orders after a court or authority has decided a matter. An appeal re-examines facts and law where a statute provides for one; a revision allows a superior court to correct jurisdictional or legal error in a subordinate court's order; a review asks the same court to reconsider its own decision on limited grounds, such as an error apparent on the face of the record. Limitation periods for each are strict.

Group B

Civil, Property and Personal Law

  1. 08

    Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

    Suits and proceedings between private parties under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, including suits for declaration, injunction, possession, recovery of money and damages. The work covers pleadings, interim applications, evidence, arguments and the execution of decrees. Settlement through negotiation, mediation or the Lok Adalat is considered alongside litigation where it may serve the client's interests.

  2. 09

    Property, Land & Real Estate Law

    Questions of title, possession, partition and transfer of immovable property, including sale deeds, gift deeds, leases and mortgages under the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, and their registration under the Registration Act, 1908. In Assam, land records, mutation and revenue proceedings form an important part of such matters. Disputes with promoters may also be taken before the authority under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

  3. 10

    Family, Matrimonial & Succession Law

    Divorce, judicial separation, maintenance, custody and guardianship under the personal law applicable to the parties or under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Succession matters include wills, probate, letters of administration and succession certificates under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 and the Indian Succession Act, 1925. Family Courts encourage counselling and settlement wherever possible, particularly where children are involved.

  4. 11

    Motor Accident Claims & Insurance Litigation

    Compensation claims for death, injury or damage to property arising from road accidents, filed before the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Related questions include the liability of the insurer, breach of policy conditions and the repudiation of claims. The area also covers appeals against tribunal awards and disputes over other kinds of insurance contracts, such as fire, property and life policies.

  5. 12

    Consumer Protection Law

    Complaints concerning defective goods, deficient services, unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. A complaint is filed before the District, State or National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission depending on the value of the consideration paid. The procedure is intended to be simpler and quicker than a civil suit, and complaints may in some cases be filed electronically.

  6. 13

    Land Acquisition & Compensation Matters

    Acquisition of private land by the State for public purposes, and the compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement due to landowners and affected families under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Matters include objections during the acquisition process, references seeking enhanced compensation, and challenges to the legality of the acquisition itself.

Group C

Corporate, Commercial and Financial Law

  1. 14

    Corporate & Company Law

    The formation, governance and compliance of companies and limited liability partnerships under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. This includes constitutional documents, board and shareholder resolutions, statutory filings, directors' duties and restructuring. This area concerns how a business entity is set up and run; disputes between its members are addressed under Company Disputes & Shareholder Litigation.

  2. 15

    Commercial & Contractual Disputes

    Disputes over the performance, breach and termination of business contracts, such as supply, distribution, construction, service and agency agreements. Claims may seek damages, specific performance or injunctions under the Indian Contract Act, 1872 and the Specific Relief Act, 1963. Where a dispute meets the specified value, it proceeds as a commercial suit under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, ordinarily after pre-institution mediation.

  3. 16

    Banking & Financial Litigation

    Disputes between customers, borrowers or guarantors and banks or non-banking financial companies, beyond the straightforward recovery of a debt. Typical issues include the classification of accounts, unauthorised debits, loan documentation, guarantees, interest and charges, and measures taken against secured assets under the SARFAESI Act, 2002. Some grievances may also be raised under the Reserve Bank of India's ombudsman scheme.

  4. 17

    Cheque Dishonour Cases — Section 138, Negotiable Instruments Act

    Criminal complaints arising when a cheque issued towards a debt or other liability is returned unpaid. The holder must send a written demand within thirty days of receiving the bank's intimation, the drawer then has fifteen days to pay, and the complaint must be filed within one month after that period expires. The statute also recognises defences, such as the absence of a legally enforceable debt.

  5. 18

    Company Disputes & Shareholder Litigation

    Disputes among shareholders, directors and the company, including petitions alleging oppression and mismanagement under Sections 241 and 242 of the Companies Act, 2013, which are heard by the National Company Law Tribunal. Other issues include rectification of the register of members, transfer and transmission of shares, the removal of directors, and deadlocks in closely held and family-run companies.

  6. 19

    Negotiable Instruments & Commercial Recovery

    Civil remedies on promissory notes, bills of exchange and cheques, distinct from the criminal remedy under Section 138. Summary suits under Order XXXVII of the Code of Civil Procedure can allow quicker recovery on written contracts and negotiable instruments, because the defendant must obtain leave of the court to defend. The recovery of unpaid invoices and trade dues between businesses also falls within this area.

  7. 20

    Recovery Suits & Debt Recovery Proceedings

    Recovery of money through ordinary civil suits and, for debts of ₹20 lakh or more owed to banks and financial institutions, through the Debt Recovery Tribunal under the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993. Matters include original applications, recovery certificates, objections by borrowers and guarantors, and appeals before the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal.

  8. 21

    Insolvency & Bankruptcy Law

    Proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, including the corporate insolvency resolution process and liquidation before the National Company Law Tribunal. Applications may be made by financial creditors, operational creditors or the corporate debtor itself, subject to the minimum amount of default. Related matters include claims before the resolution professional, insolvency of personal guarantors, and appeals before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.

  9. 22

    Intellectual Property Rights Disputes

    Infringement and passing-off actions concerning trade marks, copyright, designs and patents under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, the Copyright Act, 1957, the Designs Act, 2000 and the Patents Act, 1970. Remedies include injunctions, damages and the delivery up of infringing goods. The area also covers oppositions and rectification proceedings, and questions concerning geographical indications, such as those registered for Assam tea and Muga silk.

Group D

Dispute Resolution and Advisory

  1. 23

    Arbitration, Mediation & Conciliation

    Resolution of disputes outside court under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 and the Mediation Act, 2023. This includes drafting dispute resolution clauses, invoking arbitration, applications for interim measures under Section 9, the conduct of arbitral proceedings, and challenges to or enforcement of awards. Mediation and conciliation offer a confidential, consensual route where the parties wish to preserve a commercial or family relationship.

Group E

Employment, Regulatory and Specialised Matters

  1. 26

    Labour & Employment Law

    Rights and obligations between employers and employees, including wages, termination, retrenchment, industrial disputes, social security and conditions of work. The area also includes complaints under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Proceedings may take place before labour authorities, industrial tribunals, labour courts or civil courts, depending on the nature of the employment and the law that applies.

  2. 27

    Service Law & Government Employment Disputes

    Disputes concerning the recruitment, seniority, promotion, pay, disciplinary proceedings, suspension, dismissal and retirement benefits of employees of the Central and State Governments and public sector bodies. The protections of Article 311 of the Constitution and the applicable service rules are central to these matters. Central Government employees ordinarily approach the Central Administrative Tribunal, while other matters may proceed by writ petition before the High Court.

  3. 28

    Taxation & Regulatory Litigation

    Disputes over the assessment, demand and recovery of taxes, including Goods and Services Tax under the Central and the Assam Goods and Services Tax Acts, income tax and local levies. The work includes replies to show cause notices, appeals before appellate authorities and tribunals, and writ petitions where a demand is made without jurisdiction. Regulatory questions that overlap with tax, such as registration and licensing, are also considered.

  4. 29

    Environmental & Forest Law

    Matters under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water and Air Acts, the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and forest legislation, including the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 and the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891. These include consent and clearance requirements, pollution complaints, seizures and forest offences, and applications before the National Green Tribunal.

  5. 30

    Government & Regulatory Disputes

    Disputes with government departments and public undertakings arising from tenders and public contracts, licences and permits, the cancellation of allotments, blacklisting and the recovery of government dues. These matters call for attention to the governing statute, the terms of any contract, and the State's obligation to act fairly and without arbitrariness. Remedies may lie in a writ petition, arbitration, a civil suit or a statutory appeal.

The inclusion of an area of law describes its general scope. It is not a claim of specialisation or of any particular result. Whether the Chamber can act in a given matter depends upon its facts, the forum and the jurisdiction concerned.