Notably active on mandates concerning tech in banking, Spice Route Legal‘s broad practice encompasses expertise in payments, financial sector crimes, digital lending and anti-money laundering. The unit is also well placed to assist with regulatory investigations, and has seen an uptick in instructions relating to both global and Indian financial services investigations. Practice head Mathew Chacko ’s regulatory expertise was recently showcased in a complex outsourcing matter for HDFC that aims to allow the lender to launch a digital-only banking service. Ankita Hariamani is an ‘unparalleled’ expert on financial services regulations and their interaction with technology, while Aadya Misra is a key contact for matters concerning data and privacy such as cybersecurity architecture or breach responses.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘In the digital lending and larger fintech space we have found Spice Route to be one of the most competent firms.’
‘The Partners, Senior and Junior associates are thorough professionals. They are one of the best legal teams around in terms of knowledge, subject matter expertise, conduct, billing and flexibility.'
‘Matthew Chacko is one of the most thorough and awesome people I have ever worked with. He is a super sounding board and has deep knowledge on most things.'
‘Analytical and research skills, managing the legal consequences of business failures, risk assessment, regulatory knowledge & and attention to detail are the major strengths. ’
‘Organization, time-management and project management, Problem-solving, Teamworking, interpersonal skills, Adaptability and flexibility makes the individuals I work with really stand out.’
‘They have excellent commercial acumen coupled with top-notch legal and regulatory expertise. Financial services regulations in India are complex and ever-changing, but the ease with which this team navigates the landscape gives me a lot of comfort.’
‘I have worked with the team extensively and the individuals who stand out are Mathew Chacko, Ankita Hariramani, Harshda Bakshi and Ruchika Jha. Ankita's command of technology and regulations is unparalleled. ’
‘Great team!’
Key clients
- Aditya Birla Group
- Bank of Montreal
- Bayer
- BYJU’S
- Chargebacks911
- Commercial Imperial Bank of Canada
- DBS Bank
- Digiotech Solutions Private Limited
- Digiwin Technologies (also known as Pillow Fund)
- Experian
- Fiserv
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI Securities
- Network18
- Northern Arc
- Protium
- Sahamati
- Samsung Reinsurance
- Transcorp
- Wise
- Yodlee Envestnet
Work highlights
- Advised HDFC Bank on its over $200 million partnership with Zeta to create and launch India’s first digital only bank.
- Assisting Chargebacks911 – one of the world’s largest chargeback management service providers – and its Indian affiliates in a precedent-setting dispute involving theft of trade secrets.
- Advised Bayer on its partnership with Mastercard, Rabo Partnerships, and other lending service providers to create a platform through which Indian farmers can gain easy access loans.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mathew Chacko