Services
Projects
Advisory / Transactional
Our lawyers have vast experience in advising clients on the different stages of commercial transactions of all kinds. We specialize in structuring and documenting complex commercial transactions including both domestic and cross-border transactions involving foreign direct investment in a variety of industry sectors. Working independently or on occasions in collaboration with foreign law firms as local counsel we are able to provide multinational entities and interests with the specialized legal expertise required to structure international business transactions.
We routinely provide advice on an on-going basis to commercial ventures and projects. At the beginning of a project we have advised and opined on entity formation, due diligence scope and parameters, drafting of contractual obligations including choice of law and dispute resolution clauses, legal and regulatory framework governing foreign direct investment, risk of expropriation, finance documentation and other instruments as well as on the impact of legislation, specifically tax laws. During the course of a project we have advised on potential claims, management of filed claims including expert determinations as well as drafted demands, notices and other documents required by the project contracts. At any stage in relation to potential or actual disputes we have advised on prospects, jurisdiction, evidence, liability, quantum, settlement, enforcement and appeal.
Other non-contentious transactional work is carried out routinely for clients ranging from established financial institutions to start-up small and medium enterprises focusing on all sectors of the economy. We aim to provide advice in the format which suits the needs of the client, whether by telephone, by e-mail, in writing or in person in conference.
Arbitration
Arbitration is synonymous with many of the industry sectors in which we operate and Axis Law is widely regarded as the go-to law firm in Pakistan for complex investment treaty as well as international commercial arbitrations. Axis Law has recently been involved in two big ICSID arbitrations and another first of its kind investment arbitration under a multilateral international treaty involving the state of Pakistan. The firm has acted both as lead counsel and local counsel on Pakistan law matters assisting some of the biggest names in international arbitration and has experience with all stages of ICSID, ICC, DIFC, LCIA and PCA – UNCITRAL arbitrations. On the domestic front, Axis Law has extensive experience in construction arbitrations under the Arbitration Act, 1940 and in litigation arising out of such arbitrations.
Consultancy – Law & Development and Legislative Drafting
Our partner Ali Zahid Rahim has worked at the legal department of The World Bank (at the headquarters in Washington, DC) as an “operations” lawyer and as an “advisory” lawyer (the legal department was organized at the time along regional “operations” and cross-regional “advisory” practice groups). He was the lead counsel in charge of negotiating two development projects in Afghanistan and Bangladesh and worked on projects in countries as far apart as Cambodia and Botswana.
As counsel at the cross-regional Advisory practice group focusing on private sector development, finance sector reform and infrastructure projects, Ali was a member of various multi-disciplinary project teams acting as consultants to client governments (at different stages of economic development) carrying out law reform programmes.
Internal Investigations and International Anti-Corruption
Axis Law is recognized as one of the top internal corporate investigations practices in the country with experience in planning and conducting internal investigations of local subsidiaries of foreign entities. Such investigations often have a nexus with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 1977 (FCPA) (and other similar legislation affecting the entities in question) and our lawyers are well versed with the architecture of such legislation and the demands of a complete and thorough investigation.
Our dispute resolution lawyers have represented clients before the local accountability courts and the High Court relating to references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and have advised on internal corporate investigations alongside NAB inquiries and investigations.
Litigation
Axis Law has one of the most dynamic and skilled litigation practices in the country. Our litigation practitioners bring to the table formidable experience of constitutional, commercial, civil and criminal litigation before various courts and tribunals in Pakistan. Axis Law’s lawyers provide representation at all levels including pre-trial, trial and appellate stages.
From major constitutional litigation, complex commercial matters, banking and finance disputes to tax litigation, white-collar crime and property disputes, our lawyers are equipped to provide result-oriented professional representation of the highest quality.
Our lawyers regularly appear before trial courts as well as the High Courts throughout the country and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Additionally, our lawyers provide representation before administrative / regulatory authorities as well as specialized tribunals across the country.