Alliance Journal of Corporate and Commercial Law (AJCCL)
Volume 2, Issue 1, 2024
e-ISSN No.: 2584-2463
Editorial
The Alliance Journal of Corporate and Commercial Law (AJCCL) is an initiative by the Alliance Centre for Corporate and Commercial Law (ACCL) at the Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bengaluru. This double-blind, peer-reviewed, intra-collegiate journal is open-access and caters to scholars, students, legal practitioners, judges, attorneys, and academics, encouraging collaborative engagement within the Corporate and Commercial Law domain. The AJCCL 2024 issue, with an E-ISSN No: 2584-2463, spans various legal areas, promoting impactful research output and advancing the frontiers of legal scholarship.
AJCCL’s primary mission is to publish high-quality research papers that focuses on the underlying principles and emerging aspects of Corporate and Commercial Law, while also proposing practical analysis for their application across diverse legal disciplines. The journal serves updates on current scholarly trends and developments in Corporate and Commercial sector by offering unique insights and perspectives to the research.
The principal objective of this journal is to share new knowledge and legal advancements with the legal community, establishing an open forum for publishing original research on contemporary legal issues in Corporate and Commercial Law. The journal critically examines both established and emerging legal matters, exploring how laws, as mechanisms of societal transformation, and evolving to address current challenges.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the Hon’ble Pro-Chancellor and the Editorial Advisory Board for their invaluable support and guidance. We extend special thanks to our Peer Review Panel for their diligent efforts in reviewing submissions promptly, to our esteemed contributors for their insightful research, and to the Editorial Board members for their essential contributions in bringing this edition. We also wish to acknowledge everyone who played a role in the successful publication of this journal.
Looking ahead, we encourage continued contributions from academics and researchers to strengthen future editions of the journal.
Dr. V Shyam Kishore
Editor-In-Chief
Dean, Alliance School of Law
Associate Dean (Academic Affairs), Alliance University
Words of Expert
Contract negotiation is an art! Each contract negotiation brings in a new experience and perspective. Whether you are a fresher or a seasoned lawyer, there is always room to improve. In terms of the ground rules, we are all aware – build rapport, act ethically and communicate clearly. Business savvy lawyers realize that success is what is best for a particular situation, with a particular risk level, at a particular time. They start every negotiation armed with knowledge – understanding leadership’s risk appetite, stakeholders’ desired outcomes and a view on what matters to the counterparty. The point of contract negotiation is not to see who has the flowery language or most exhaustive clauses. Top negotiators are very clear in terms of what they want and know what an illusion is. Risk mitigation, inconsistencies and redundancies must all be well addressed. A negotiator’s goal is to execute the agreement quickly without jeopardizing the client’s interests. The practice creates a repeatable, rational routine. Once the negotiator becomes aware of what is required and the negotiating chips at hand, it becomes easier. Strategies, points, strengths/ weaknesses etc. all fall in place. As they say, after years of experience and expertise, trust your gut!
While contracts often get more attention than the people who create them, the latter brings those agreements to life. Due diligence plays a vital role in any contract negotiation. New things can scare people, but familiarity breeds comfort and confidence. Also, keeping your cool is as important as the negotiation itself. Stress, trauma, and fear do not usually have happy endings in a negotiation and upsets the equilibrium. The best negotiators do not fall into “us vs. them” battles. Finally, most in-house lawyers are burdened with contracts review. So, they rely on technology such as automation and AI for drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and executing contracts. Key is to understand which technology suits best, effective, practical, and economical. While there are many more practical suggestions available, the abovementioned points are the most crucial and practical from a contract negotiation perspective. I hope AJCCL focuses on providing all the updates and filling the information gaps in the areas of Corporate and Commercial Laws. All the very best!
Ms. Smitha Chandrashekar
Legal Director, HARMAN International
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