Partha Roy, Head of Legal & Contracts at SPML Infra, shares his journey, experiences, and insights on the changing legal environment in the country.
Partha Roy, Head of Legal & Contracts at SPML Infra, has emerged as a seasoned leader in the field of legal operations and risk management. With over 21 years of rich experience, he has successfully navigated the legal landscape, offering valuable insights into the evolving role of in-house counsels and shaping legal strategies that drive business growth. SPML Infra, a leading infrastructure development company, has benefited immensely from Partha’s strategic vision, legal acumen, and management competency. As a multi-talented legal professional, Partha Roy's work goes beyond compliance and risk mitigation; it’s about creating synergies between legal and business teams for sustainable growth. In an interview with Corporate World, he shares his journey, experiences, and insights on the changing legal environment, as well as advice for those looking to step into this dynamic field.
Q. Can you tell us about your journey with SPML Infra Ltd. and the role you play in the organisation?
I joined SPML Infra during the most critical time of Covid 19 while the entire infrastructure industry was passing through unprecedented circumstances in terms of new business, timely execution, cash flow, repayment of debt vis a vis profitability. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey full of unique experiences, learning and so on. Being the Legal Head, the entire legal affairs are need to be taken care of. SPML Infra operates on a PAN India scale, and the diversity of our projects—from water management to power generation—requires a comprehensive legal strategy. My role involves to foresee the challenges, ensure proactive measures, providing strategic legal support, litigation management to establish a strong legal footings to the smooth business operation.
One of the key aspects of my role is ensuring that SPML Infra's diverse projects, fund flow remains well protected against any legal risks and as such we need to maintain compliance with the regulations across different states in India. Being a part of the senior management, another crucial aspect for me is to provide advisory support to the organisation towards informed decisions, risk mitigation and aggressive approach for dispute resolution. Continuous research and apprising the team on evolving Legal changes, having significant impact on the business, is a self determined KRA. Simultaneously liaising with various wings of Govt. on the upcoming Rules, Scheme or amendment makes the role more dynamic.
Q. With over two decades of experience in the legal field, how do you think the role of legal functions has evolved in the infrastructure sector?
The legal function has evolved significantly over the years, especially in the infrastructure sector. In the past, legal departments were more reactive, mainly involved in handling litigation. However, today’s legal function is much more proactive and strategic. In the context of infrastructure development, we are now seen as enablers rather than just problem-solvers. Unlike earlier days, we have not only kept ourself within the four corner of Courts/ Tribunal, rather as an In house Counsel we actively participate in Business. We remain actively involved in negotiation with lenders, Clients, and other stake holders, work towards revenue generation, Project planning, risk assessment, and contract management from the outset, in order to ensure that legal risks are mitigated early on.
Furthermore, with the complex regulatory environment and the growing need for transparency and accountability, the role of legal department has become more dynamic. We also advise on compliance, public-private partnerships, assignment of project work, intellectual property, Insolvency and Bankruptcy, environmental regulations, Labour disputes, Insurance claim, all of which play a crucial role in large-scale infrastructure projects.
Q. SPML Infra operates across several sectors, including water, power, and environment management. What are some of the unique legal challenges associated with these diverse domains?
Each of the sectors we operate in comes with its own set of unique legal challenges. For instance, in the water management domain, we deal with environmental regulations, water rights, and the challenges of working with local municipalities and utilities. Legal compliance with environmental standards is critical, especially when managing water treatment and recycling projects.
In the power sector, regulatory approval processes, tariff structures, and the management of long-term contracts are key areas that require careful legal oversight. We also deal with energy-related litigation, disputes with suppliers or contractors, and negotiations with government bodies.
In the environment management space, legal issues often revolve around waste disposal, environmental clearance, and adherence to sustainability standards. Each project has its own regulatory requirements, and navigating the legal landscape across these various sectors requires a strong understanding of the industry, laws, and the local environment in which we operate.
Q. As a leader in the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) space, how do you balance the need for legal risk management with the pressure to deliver projects on time and within budget?
Balancing legal risk management with project delivery is one of the key challenges in my role. However, it’s important to understand that the two are not mutually exclusive; in fact, effective legal risk management can be a catalyst for smooth project delivery. By identifying potential legal risks early on—whether they relate to contracts, regulatory approvals, or disputes—we can ensure completion as well as profitability by avoiding delays due to legal complications.
As an instance, a well-drafted contract, a proper representation can help in setting clear expectations, defining timelines, and outlining the responsibilities of all parties involved. We are also involved in structuring Joint Venture, public-private partnerships and BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) models in a way that ensures legal protection, while also providing a structure that allows for timely project execution.
One of the primary ways we balance both aspects is through strategic planning, constant communication with Clients and/or sub contractors/ vendors, and by staying ahead of any potential legal issues. Our role is to provide legal certainty to the business and allow the project teams to remain focused on execution.
Q. SPML Infra has an impressive track record in executing world-class infrastructure projects. What role does the legal team play in ensuring these projects meet their goals?
The legal team plays an integral role in ensuring that projects meet their goals, both from a regulatory and contractual standpoint. For any infrastructure project, whether it’s related to water management, power, or environmental concerns, there are several legal aspects that need to be managed effectively from time to time.
We ensure that all our contracts are clear, enforceable, and aligned with the project’s goals. This involves proper and timely correspondences with clients, contractors, and suppliers to ensure the terms protect SPML Infra’s rights and interests and are in compliance with laws. Additionally, we manage legal risks by doing continuous due diligence of the ongoing contracts.
Our team also plays a pivotal role in handling any disputes at the threshold that may arise during the course of a project. Whether it’s a contractual issue or a disagreement with a third party, we work to resolve these disputes quickly and effectively, so that the project can continue without unwanted delays.
Q. What would you say is the most important leadership lesson you've learned in your career?
One of the most important leadership lessons I’ve learned is to have complete faith in the team, give them authority with freedom to perform and encourage them to innovations. A leader needs to learn how to gain trust of the team, protect his team, provide them comfort and confidence to excel.
Another key lesson is the importance of adaptability. The legal landscape is always evolving, and so are the demands of the business. Whether it’s a new regulation or an unexpected challenge in a project, being adaptable and quick to respond is crucial for effective leadership.
While working with diversified department, It’s essential to establish a clear line of communication, complete transparency and foster a collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing potential issues and risks.
Lastly, I would say that integrity and ethics are the foundation of leadership. In the infrastructure sector, where projects can be large-scale and complex, making decisions based on integrity ensures that the company builds trust with its clients, employees, and stakeholders.
Nevertheless, a calm and composed approach, clarity in thoughts and planning specially during the sudden Crisis scenario denotes as a crucial quality for a leader in Business Legal.
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