Services
Consultation
At AZURIST, we profess to advise clients on complex legal issues and regulatory matters within the jurisdiction of Bangladesh. Our advice features
practical exposition to multifaceted aspects of personal & family law, inheritance, property disputes, illegal possession, ownership or licensing,
injunctions, intellectual property rights, breach of promise, company affairs, business ventures, commercial agreements and negotiations, foreign
exchange and remittance matters, breach of trusts, complaints and prosecution against miscreants, protection from anti-social behaviour, cyber
crime, defamation and professional negligence amongst others. You can visit our offices for in depth consultation and instruct us to formulate legal
opinions on such matters.
Drafting
Our drafting wing can draw up contracts and legal documents such as Deeds, Will, Contracts, Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) and even
complex PPP agreements. Our advisors being qualified lawyers of Bangladesh are fluent in English and Bengali, whereby we can understand and
identify you and the context of your documentary needs. Therefore we can help you with drafting specific documents, opinions & instruments which
are not only clear, but most importantly reflective ofyour needs and objectives.
Filing Applications & Obtaining Certificates
Our partner organisation from Bangladesh, supported by a dedicated administrative network and professional legal team, is regularly instructed by us to file applications related to Intellectual Property (Patents, Trademarks, and Industrial Designs), renew licences and permits, and obtain certified copies of land documents and Court orders on behalf of non-residents, legal firms, and international businesses.
Due Diligence & Verification of Documents
We can verify and analyze legal instruments, documents, title deeds, business agreements related to affairs in Bangladesh. By conducting extensive
search and fact finding mission in local jurisdiction with the support of our professional network in Bangladesh, we can obtain authentic information
on title and current legal status of movable and immovable property, court proceedings, business operations, company dealings and supply the same
to residents in UK & Europe.
Due diligence process is the term used for an investigation into a business or property (land) undertaken byapotential buyer to evaluate its assets,
liabilities and general conditions. With regards to business ventures, it involves a close look at the company records, accounts history, budgets and
business projections, contracts with employees, suppliers and customers to put togetherapicture of the target company.
When it comes to purchasing or selling land, immovable property, it is necessary to gain advance information on the current possession, record of
rights, chain of title- to ascertain whether it is free from any encumbrance, encroachment or subject to any court order, government acquisition,
whether there are any outstanding charges on the property. A conclusive finding on the above matters allows the potential buyer to work out: (a)
Whether he/she still wants to buy the property or business; (b) whether he/she is still happy to pay the price offered; and (c) whether there are any
contractual protections he/she needs in the purchase agreement.We can help to ensure that you ask all the right questions, spot gaps in the answers
and take informed decisions.
Power of Attorney
All kinds of representation and legal support in Courts & Tribunal proceedings, arbitration, sale or purchase of property,business negotiations and
agreements, service of legal documents in Bangladesh are effectuated by virtue of authority to act conferred with power of attorney. The relevant legal
instruments delegating lawful authority to act are prepared by the Firm, attested in Bangladesh High Commission or Foreign & Commonwealth Office
followed by verification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh and circulated to the local Deputy Commissioner office. We see through each
step of the way leading to the final stage of the process and serve the document at the appropriate forum. If needed, we can nominate individuals
under agreeable conditions to take necessary steps as the attorney with special and regulated power to act.
Serving Documents
Do you need to serve court papers or other important documents to a person living in Bangladesh but expect that this person may try to avoid getting
served? Maybe you have already tried sending documents by courier and the addressee has not opened the door or the courier employee was not
able to locate the person.
We appoint licensed practitioners and process server agencies to serve all kind of Legal/Civil/Judicial case related documents such as Personal Legal
Papers, Summons, Petitions, Complaint, Writs, Divorce Papers, Child Support Notifications, Legal Notices & Court Orders. Our appointed
representatives follow the legal procedure prescribed in foreign jurisdiction as recognized by national laws.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Though we are fully equipped to provide comprehensive litigation support, we believe that litigation should be approached from a practical and
strategic perspective first and then approached legally once our client’s business goals are adequately outlined and established. Not only can litigation
be financially costly, but it can be emotionally draining and can divert your time and energy from productivity. Our core philosophy to make our clients
lives easier is critically important in how we handle our clients’ matters.Accordingly, we positively promote avenues for alternative dispute resolution
paving the way to amicable settlements before resorting to litigation or seeing the inside of a courtroom.
ADR: The Civil Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2002 of Bangladesh
has been enacted to introduce Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
system for early and consensual disposal of civil suits.
Section 89A and 89B have been inserted to allow parties to settle their
disputes in suits through mediation or arbitration.
Arbitration: Arbitration in Bangladesh is increasingly being featured as
a means of doing away with the Court route and the length of time it can
take to resolve cases. Over the years it has proved to beasuccessful
and efficient tool for setting right disputes arising out of commercial
matters. Businesses, especially those with foreign investment concerns
are now familiar and keen to include arbitration clauses in standard
business agreements.
Going to Court: We recognize that expats and foreign businesses seek legal representation in Courts & Tribunals in Bangladesh on a regular basis in
Property, Family, Civil & Criminal matters. More often than not they encounteranumber of hurdles due to the distance and lack of direct access to
legal help in Court. AZURIST’s lawyers and associate legal professionals uniquely address this issue and provide quality representation in Tribunals,
Subordinate Courts all over the Country, also in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
Whether you are bringing a claim against any party in Bangladesh or defending any action brought in Court, seeking injunctive relief, applying for
equitable remedy, demanding compensation, proclaiming ownership or recovering possession, challenging administrative actions, representing public
interests or appealing against judgment, we can act on your behalf and appear in any Court of Bangladesh to protectyour rights and further your
lawful interests.
Setting up Businesses and/or Investing in Bangladesh
Owing to the rapid growth in pprivatization, wider consumer market and competitive establishment as well as maintenance costs, Bangladesh is an ideal location for starting businesses and
entrepreneurial ventures. AZURIST understands the complex nature of starting a new business including timelines, costs and legal concerns that are inherent in this process. Our London
team, in co-operation with the resources in Dhaka, Sylhet, Chittagong and other parts of the country will help you navigate the numerous legal aspects involved in starting a business in line
with the regulatory requirements under the local laws. Irrespective of the nature of the business (whether it is a sole-proprietorship, partnership, corporation or any other entity) we can assist
in ensuring that you plan and prepare for all kinds of legal issues and implications arising in Bangladesh.
AZURIST can assist new business owners or investors in these key areas
> Preparing the initial business plan to clarify your marketing, management, and financial goals
» Help you choose the structure suitable to your needs by evaluating tax advantages, legal exposure, ease of operation and portability.
> Develop Partnership Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, Shareholders Agreements reflecting expectations, defining roles, and setting guidelines for resolving any disputes that may
arise
> Draw up and implement Human Resource policies incorporating employee incentive programs, employment and management guidelines, and a comprehensive financial plan to meet your
ongoing and changing needs.
> Provide Admin support for Registration & Licensing of entities (Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, Trade License, Patent & Trade Mark Registration, VAT & Tax Certificate, Clearances etc.)
> Comply with Employment laws (Bangladesh Labour Code), Environmental laws, Regulations on building structures, Real Estate laws, Tax Regulations and any other statutes or regulations
affecting your business
> Negotiate mergers and acquisitions, complex contracts, joint ventures, government incentives.
> Pro-actively recognize potential compliance issues, management and employment conflicts, and other potential exposures to liability, so that we are able to prepare for and avoid conflicts
before they arise
> Provide support to endeavours on legal repatriation of proceeds from profit of business ventures