Neupane Law Associates

Number of partners: 3

Number of lawyers: 15

Languages: English, Nepali

Firm Overview:

Neupane Law Associates is Nepal’s pre-eminent law firm specialising in banking and finance, dispute resolution, foreign investment, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, project development and finance, and cross-border transactions. The firm offers some of the best international standards and extensive local expertise. Its lawyers have been advising clients in many notable transactions and complex disputes for over 35 years. The firm is consistently ranked as a top-tier practice. Neupane Law Associate’s lawyers cater to both domestic and international clients and often work as local counsel to international law firms.

Main Areas of Practice:

Banking & Project Finance:

NLA’s banking practice focuses on financing of projects, regulatory advice, cross-border matters, and dispute resolution.

The firm has assisted:

■ U.S. Development Finance Corporation in unsecured loans to various Nepalese banks

■ OFID in $15 million unsecured loan to NMB Bank

■ FMO, DEG, OFID, and other Nepali lenders in $142.5 million financing for 82MW Lower Solu Hydropower Project

■ International Finance Corporation, NIC Asia Bank and HIDCL in $90 million financing for 37MW Kabeli A Hydropower

■ Bank of China and other lenders in $200 million financing for the Hongshi-Shivam Cement Project

■ Deutsche Bank in undertaking various banking transactions with Nepalese parties

■ Julius Baer Banking Group in undertaking banking and derivative transactions with counterparties involving various Nepalese commercial banks

■ SAARC Development Fund in drafting of its standard loan documentations for use in Nepal

Key Clients: Morgan Stanley, ANZ, China Development Bank, Visa, Mashreq Bank, ICICI Bank

Corporate & Commercial:

NLA’s corporate and commercial practice focuses on market entry, foreign investment, franchising, leasing, intellectual property, and cross-border transactions.

The firm has assisted:

■ Marriott International in undertaking management and licensing agreements for Marriott and Fairfield brand hotels

■ Hilton in undertaking management and licensing agreements for DoubleTree hotels

■ Uber in market entry and establishment of subsidiary in Nepal

■ Milvik in market entry and establishment of subsidiary in Nepal

■ Kansai Power in regulatory aspects of electricity business in Nepal

■ ICBC Financial Leasing in leasing of two Aribus-A320s to Himalaya Airlines

■ China Development Bank Leasing inleasing of two Aribus-A320s to Himalaya Airlines

■ Patron Spirits in undertaking distribution agreements with Nepalese distributor

Key Clients: Iflix, Mahindra & Mahindra, Avtrade, Dusit Thani, Daraz

M&A & Joint Ventures:

NLA’s mergers, acquisitions and joint venture practices are leading in Nepal. Lawyers advise on all aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestures and other corporate transactions.

The firm has assisted:

■ Batas Group in acquisition of Manipal Hospital

■ Ramesh Corp and Karajia Ceramics in their 50:50 joint venture

■ Telenor in Nepalese law aspects of potential merger of its Asian business with Axiata

■ Daraz Group in the sale of Daraz Nepal to Alibaba Group

■ CCK Power Group in the acquisitions of 138MW Upper Marshyangdi-1 and 282MW Manang Marshyangdi hydropower projects

■ Saisan in the acquisition of 51% stake in NL Gas Udhyog Ltd., a leading gas company in Nepal

■ Euronet Worldwide in the acquisition of global operations of IME, largest remittance company in Nepal

■ A leading A-Class commercial bank in Nepal and its key shareholders in the sale of 15% stake to a foreign multilateral strategic investor

■ Viettel Telecom in the potential acquisition of a majority stake in one of the largest telecom companies in Nepal

■ Himalayan Infrastructure Fund in joint venture with Tibet Airlines and Yeti World Investment to form the largest aviation joint venture in Nepal – Himalaya Airlines

Key Clients: Shaurya Cement, Rara Floor, Kamana Industries

Litigation & Dispute Resolution:

NLA has one of the leading dispute resolution practices in Nepal. The firm assists clients in domestic and international arbitration and litigation in various Nepalese courts. NLA have special expertise on shareholder, investment, and cross-border disputes.

The firm has assisted:

■ Texmaco in construction arbitration against Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower

■ Tata Projects in various court and dispute board proceedings against Nepal Electricity Authority

■ Apar Industry in various court and arbitration proceedings against Nepal Electricity Authority

■ Nissan Motors in defending various lawsuits filed by previous distributor following non-renewal at District Court, High Court and Supreme Court

■ Northern and Western Insurance Company in defending reinsurance claim filed by a Nepalese insurance company

■ Mesra Saksama in connection to shareholder dispute claim at the High Court against an internet service provider

■ Marriott International in trademark protection and enforcement issues related to its trademarks

■ Pernod Ricard in advice on disputes related to termination of its agreement with a Nepalese distillery

■ Ganpati Tobacco in dispute relating to the ownership of ‘Raj Niwas’ trademark

Key Clients: Singapore Airlines, BBC

Firm Contact:

Partner: Anjan Neupane

Tel: +977-1-5901652

Email: [email protected]