Varun Kalsi

Varun has about 19 years of experience across the private client, funds, general corporate/commercial, and real estate practices.

His expertise spans across tax-efficient intergenerational wealth transfer, succession, and investment planning matters across jurisdictions, including sophisticated structures such as Singapore VCCs, bespoke trusts, foundations, and international inheritance & estate tax matters, with a focus on the India-Singapore, India-Middle East, and Gift City corridors. Until early 2025, he was heading the legal and wealth planning functions at Lighthouse Canton (covering Asia, the Middle East, India, the UK and US markets).

Relevant Experience:

*Experience listed below are that of the Partner before he joined the Firm and thereafter

Advised a prominent Indian conglomerate in establishment of its family office in Singapore. Further, supported them with the requisite roadmap for procuring the section 13 tax exemption in Singapore while also advising on aspects of a Singapore variable capital company.
Represented a person of Indian origin in incorporation of a foundation in the Abu Dhabi Global Market with the perspective of protecting his holdings in an offshore operating company from a possible dispute with another family member.
Counselled an Indian conglomerate on the legalities, taxation, pros and cons of investment in an outbound alternative investment fund in Gift City.
Assisted a multi-family office in establishment of its feeder fund in Gift City whereby accredited investors from India would make investments in the gift city alternative fund, which would ultimately invest in global public and private markets.
Represented several UHNI families in their legacy and succession matters across jurisdictions, including India and the US, while also advising on legalities concerning Wills and private trust structures.
Counselled a person of Indian origin in establishment of a purpose trust in Cayman Islands whereby this trust would hold the shares of a section 13 tax exempted entity in Singapore. Addressed peculiar considerations of the settlor concerning the trust in terms of applicable laws.
Represented an UHNI concerning advice on his offshore BVI private investment company and trust in view of the then proposed abolishment of the UK non-domicile regime.
Counselled a prominent India headquartered asset manager on investment by some LPs in a Cayman SPC in terms of applicable laws.
Represented a multi-national bank on myriad matters concerning the Indian foreign exchange laws, insurance, and issues pertaining to establishment of a structure in the Gift City IFSC.
Advised an UHNI on establishment of his offshore family office including structuring of the same, regulatory approvals, and legal nuances thereof.
Represented a Singapore multi-family office in review of the legalities concerning a proposed investment in a company.
Counselled a global multi-family office’s UHNI client on plausible solutions for planning around his existing structure post abolishment of the UK non-domicile regime, which included procurement of UK offshore bonds.
Advised a Bangalore based joint family on settlement of inter-se family arrangements and relative tax advice concerning the same across the family branches.
Provided a legal opinion to a Singapore licensed fund manager concerning investment of LRS monies and their redeployment by its clients.
Advised a Singapore licensed fund manager on the matter of acceptance of fund subscriptions from the ODI infused offshore subsidiary of an Indian parent company as under applicable laws.
Represented a fund on the closure of its Singapore branch office and settlement of inter-se claims between a c-suite employee of the fund’s branch office and the employer fund.
Represented Axis Bank IBU in procurement of capacity opinions under applicable laws including laws of Hong Kong.
Advised the Aga Khan Foundation in establishment of its charitable trust in India. The main purpose of this trust was to become the central vehicle for dealings with the government of NCT of Delhi concerning an urban renewal project for the Sundar nursery, Humayun’s tomb, and the Nizamuddin basti.
Represented the Indian JV partner of a prominent UAE developer in the demerger of their India real estate venture.
Counselled an IT infrastructure provider to the air travel industry on a comprehensive review of its existing telecommunication licenses and the need for upgrade where necessary.
Assisted an UHNI in the title due diligence, and purchase of premium real estate in Golf Links, New Delhi, which was the highest valued residential property acquisition at that time