Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Leading firms

Led by 'champion' Thahar Bahadur Bhandari and 'visionary lawyer' Nabin Bhandari, Bhandari Law and Partners handles a range of corporate matters, with additional expertise in corporate litigation and arbitration.
Gandhi and Associates provides a full-service offering to its roster of clients, handling a range of matters from compliance and due diligence to employment, IP and environmental issues.

Leading firms in Nepal

Neupane Law Associates

Neupane Law Associates has strength in advising clients on a range of matters, especially on international transactions and disputes. Its dispute resolution practice assists in international arbitrations, litigation and shareholders disputes, while the firm also acts for clients on corporate matters, such as M&A, joint ventures, banking and project finance mandates. Co-head of the practice, Balkrishna Neupane is noted for his litigation expertise before the Supreme Court and High Courts. Anjan Neupane, as the second co-head of practice, specialises in aviation, banking, dispute resolution and M&A. Of note at associate level is Sijan Guragain, who is experienced in litigation, arbitration, banking and joint ventures.

Practice head(s):

Balkrishna Neupane; Anjan Neupane


Other key lawyers:

Sijan Guragain


Testimonials

‘The firm has sound legal knowledge that meets the client’s needs. It uses the latest technology for drafting and filing of court or arbitration documents.’

‘Anjan Neupane is very precise and clearly understands any case he handles.’

‘The young lawyers bring new and fresh perspectives, and all of them have extensive knowledge on local and global perspectives.’

‘The firm always produces high-quality work. The contracts they draft are always thorough and well drafted. They are also clear in terms of advice.’

‘They have an excellent team and are very easy to work with.’

‘The team is good at providing legal opinions and has extensive knowledge.’

‘The firm is always responsive, proactive and impressively efficient.’

‘Anjan Neupane demonstrates excellence. He delivers solid expert reports on a variety of subject matters touching upon Nepali tax law and practices. He truly masters the regulations and is able to distil them to any layman, including an arbitral tribunal that does not have expertise on the subject.’

Key clients

Unilever Nepal Limited


US Development Finance Corporation


Hard Rock Limited


Hilton


Marriott International Inc.


Government of Nepal, Ministry of Law


Visa Worldwide Pte. Ltd.


Phillip Morris


Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries


Daraz Nepal


International Finance Corporation


Cathay Pacific


Singapore Airlines


PowerChina


Texmaco Railway and Engineering


Renew Power


Walkaroo Group


Dish Media Network


Saisan Co. Ltd.


Sita BV


IDEMIA


Tetra Pak Nepal Pvt. Ltd.


Bolt


Indriver


Apar Industries


Thomson Nepal


China EXIM Bank


Centuryply Limited, India


Som Frangnances, India


BlueOrchard Finance


Sinosure


Kajaria Ceramics Limited


ResponsAbility Investments


General Electric


Bupa Insurance


FMO


Work highlights


  • Represented the government of Nepal as Nepalese corporate and tax law expert in ICISD investment arbitration claim filed by Ncell and Axiata.
  • Advised Karjaria Ceramics Limited, India in joint venture with Ramesh Corp to form Kajaria Ramesh Tiles Limited.
  • Advised Belgian Investment organization for development countries in USD 25 million loan to NMB Bank Limited.

Pradhan & Associates

Pradhan & Associates is active across multiple sectors in Nepal, advising clients on finance, aviation, telecoms, hydroelectric, IP and corporate matters. Additionally, the firm represents domestic and international clients in litigation and arbitration hearings, as well as acting in high-profile multi-jurisdictional transactions. Managing partner Devendra Pradhan is an experienced advocate and focuses his practice on assisting foreign companies in M&A, aviation, banking, IP and telecoms mandates. Shirshak Ghimire is also of note for his work advising clients on hydroelectric projects, including sponsors, lenders, contractors and suppliers.

Practice head(s):

Devendra Pradhan


Other key lawyers:

Shirshak Ghimire


Testimonials

‘Very good knowledge of the sector.’

‘Devendra Pradhan and Shirshak Ghimire are impressive and have a good touch with business teams.’

Work highlights


  • Advising and assisting a domestic airline, Yeti Airlines, and its domestic insurer and their various reinsurers in the management and settlement of the liability claims arising out of the death and injury of passengers in the deadliest aviation accident in Nepal that took place in Pokhara killing all 72 occupants on board.
  • Advised a Chinese export credit agency in connection with the cross-border financing to a Nepali hydropower company.
  • Advised carious aircraft leasing companies in connection on the sale and leasing of ATR 72-500 and Twin Otter DHC-400 aircraft to various domestic airlines in Nepal.

Imperial Law Associates

Imperial Law Associates, in addition to its corporate and commercial law expertise, advises its clients on a range of mandates, from direct foreign investments and hydropower projects to data protection issues, TMT matters and disputes. Praised for its ‘unwavering commitment to excellence, innovative approach, and unparalleled dedication to client success’, the firm is also instructed by domestic and international clients to assist on international transactions, debt recoveries, restructurings, and insurance and reinsurance mandates. Surendra Tiwari heads the litigation department and acts for clients in relation to cyber, labour and IT law. Also of note is Deepesh Ojha, who specialises in energy, infrastructure, banking, aviation, telecoms and hospitality. At the associate level, Nitin Raj Patel and Rukmani Khadka are noted for their involvement in the firm’s recent work.

Practice head(s):

Surendra Tiwari; Deepesh Ojha


Other key lawyers:

Nitin Raj Patel; Rukmani Khadka


Testimonials

‘Deepesh Ojha is widely recognised for his visionary leadership and strategic thinking. His ability to foresee legal trends and anticipate clients’ needs has consistently placed the firm ahead of the curve.’

‘The practice of Imperial Law Associates stands out due to its unwavering commitment to excellence, innovative approach, and unparalleled dedication to client success.’

‘The individuals at Imperial Law Associates exhibit a profound understanding of the law, coupled with extensive experience in their respective fields. Their deep legal knowledge allows them to provide insightful guidance and craft innovative solutions for complex legal challenges.

Key clients

Now CFO LLC., USA


Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd., India


BioMerieux India Pvt. Ltd., India


Family Health International (FHI360)


DXN Holdings Bhd., Malaysia


Stitching BRAC International, the Netherlands


Res Butler Pty. Ltd., Australia


Kinderpillar Ivy League Kids Pre School-Private Limited, India


Decathlon Se Service Frais Generaux


Benevity Inc.


Bishwokarma Steel Industries Pvt. Ltd.


Ban Labs Pvt. Ltd., India


Httpool Holdings UK Ltd.


Pinstorm Technologies Ltd., India


Ashmavi Nepal, France


Himalaya Global Holdings


Gameloft Limited


OnesphereSDN. BHD.


Work highlights


  • Assisted DXN Holdings Bhd., Malaysia in a foreign investment approval process and corporate compliance for establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary for the operation of a manufacturing plant in Nepal.
  • Advised Nippon Paints Holdings Co., Ltd., India regarding market entry for the establishment of subsidiary company through foreign investment in Nepal.
  • Advised on matters including franchise, human rights, data protection and privacy, distributorship, foreign exchange regulation and product registration.

Reliance Law Firm

Reliance Law Firm is renowned for its expertise in international and domestic arbitration, as well as foreign investment, infrastructure, banking, taxation, IP and environmental matters. Alongside its lawyers, the firm employs tax experts, chartered accountants and financial experts to ensure the best advice is always at hand. Purna Man Shakya heads the practice alongside Prakrit Shrestha and is well-experienced in commercial, banking and constitutional issues. Shrestha is noted for his expertise in international arbitration, as well as his advisory work in non-contentious matters.

Practice head(s):

Purna Man Shakya; Prakrit Shrestha


Testimonials

‘Prakrit Shrestha has built a tight team of lawyers who are easy to work with and provide great advice on matters of Nepalese law. They embrace technology to facilitate international communication and collaboration between differing legal jurisdictions.’

‘Prakrit Shrestha offers strong commercial and strategic guidance on top of solid legal advice. A great communicator and negotiator.’

Key clients

Pfizer (EM Asia) Pvt. Ltd.


Nepal Bytedance India (TikTok)


Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd.


Century Commercial Bank Limited, Nepal


Ncell Axiata Ltd


Nepal SBI Bank Ltd.


Mandu Hydropower Company Limited, Nepal


Tribhuvan International Airport Civil Engineering Department, Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN), Nepal


Nepal Electricity Authority, Transmission Division


Melamchi Water Supply Development Board, Nepal


Nepal Orind Magnesite Private Limited


DHL Express Nepal Pvt. Ltd.


Bottlers Nepal Ltd. (Coca Cola)


Renegade Nepal Private Limited


Nilgiri Hydropower Company Limited,


Britannia Industries Limited, India


Metropolitan Hotel


Work highlights


  • Advised TikTok on the legal compliances under the laws of Nepal to operate the application in Nepal, as well as advising on restrictions on any advertisement content in Nepal and compliances for launching any new services in Nepal.
  • Advising TIACAO, an entity under the Civil Aviation Department, regarding an arbitration dispute related to expansion work of International Apron Southside of Bay No.1 at Tribhuvan International Airport against Swachhanda-Khani JV.
  • Advising Britannia against the infringement of their trademark in Nepal.

Sinha Verma Law Concern

Sinha Verma Law Concern has been active in Nepal for over six decades, experiencing the changing legal landscape of the Nepal throughout the years. The firm advises on M&A, compliance, taxation, energy, banking aviation and IP law for a wide range of clients, including international and local businesses and professional associations. Mahesh Kumar Thapa heads the practice and acts on major projects concerning hydropower. Rajeshwor Shrestha is also noted for his advisory work in commercial matters.

Practice head(s):

Mahesh Kumar Thapa


Other key lawyers:

Rajeshwor Shrestha


Key clients

Asian Paints Nepal Pvt. Ltd.


Ncell Axiata Ltd


Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd


Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd


GMR Upper Karnali Hydropower Limited


Kuwait Airways


Bottlers Nepal Ltd.


Buddha Air Pvt. Ltd


Whirlpool of India Limited


Soaltee Hotel Ltd


Berger, Johnson & Nicholson(Nepal) Pvt. Ltd


VF Services (Mauritius Pte. Ltd


Perfetti Van Melle Nepal Pvt. Ltd


Himal Power Limited


N.E.V.Nepal Pvt. Ltd