Biography

Swetha Sethubaskaran

Swetha is an Advocate practising before the Madras High Court and arbitral tribunals, with experience in human rights law, commercial law, arbitration and international law.

She advises companies on employment and contract law matters, including drafting agreements and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks, such as workplace sexual harassment laws. Her practice extends to issues of constitutional significance, including ongoing work on citizenship rights for Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu. In addition, she engages in pro bono work, particularly cases involving child sexual abuse and the protection of marginalised communities.

With an academic background in International law, she has previously interned with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, an intergovernmental organisation, where she contributed to drafting international agreements and supported the organisation’s representation in international administrative law disputes before arbitral tribunals. She has also worked with REDRESS, an international human rights NGO, assisting in representation of torture survivors before regional human rights forums and United Nations working groups.

Key Works

Litigation

• Assisted and represented on Writ Petitions concerning public procurement contracts.
• Assisted LGBTQIA+ individuals in a matter of police protection which contributed to progressive policy shifts in Tamil Nadu.
• Assisted in criminal matters before the Madras High Court.
• Assisted in consumer complaints involving medical negligence matters before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions.

Advisory

• Advises corporates engaged in socio-political research and home healthcare services.
• Advises non-profit organisations that provide safe shelter and resources to survivors of domestic violence and queer persons.

Qualifications and Memberships

• Enrolled with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (2023).