India's largest law firm, Fox Mandal, is to sue the chairman and managing director of Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC),
Subir Raha, and domestic newspaper the Indian Express for defamation.

The legal action follows an article in the Indian Express where ONGC alleged a conflict of interest between the Attorney General of India and Fox Mandal. The Attorney General allegedly recommended that ONGC use Fox Mandal's services. According to the Indian Express, there were personal ties between the Attorney General's family and Fox Mandal.

Speaking exclusively to ALB, the firm rebutted these statements. "Such a statement without documentary evidence is blatantly false and derogatory ... suggesting that the Attorney General of India has a personal interest in Fox Mandal and/or that Fox Mandal has some understanding with the Attorney General of India."

Fox Mandal denies any conflict of interest although the firm has briefed the AG's sons as senior advocates.

Fox Mandal's managing partner, Som Mandal, said: "If you take the cases in the UK, where law firms brief QCs for matters before a court, it does not mean that the QC is associated with the firm. The present campaign is being run by some of our  rival firms who are concerned at the rapid growth of our firm and our reputation for good quality work." ALB