ADVISORY / TRANSACTIONAL
Our lawyers have vast experience in advising clients on the different stages of commercial transactions of various kinds. We specialize in structuring and documenting complex commercial transactions including both domestic and cross-border transactions in a variety of economic 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, drafting of contractual obligations, 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 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, 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. LITIGATION
Our litigation practitioners bring to our practice a formidable experience of commercial, corporate, constitutional, civil and criminal litigation before various courts in Pakistan. Axis Law’s lawyers provide representation at all levels including pre-trial, trial and appellate stages. From banking and finance disputes to tax litigation to white-collar crime to 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. In the past, our lawyers have also assisted senior counsel in many cases before the Supreme Court. Additionally, our lawyers provide representation before administrative / regulatory authorities as well as specialized tribunals. ARBITRATION
Arbitration is synonymous with many of the industry sectors in which we operate. As a result, Axis Law’s lawyers have experience in handling domestic as well as international arbitrations (i.e. international commercial as well as investment arbitrations) covering ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and ICSID. In particular, our Partners have represented domestic and foreign clients in ICC international commercial arbitrations, several construction arbitrations as well as litigation arising out of such arbitrations. MEDIATION
Clients in our core areas of work often seek to resolve disputes by alternative means of dispute resolution and mediation, in specific. Our Partners – Mian Tariq Hassan and Ali Zahid Rahim are accredited mediators – accredited by the renowned London-based Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). Both Tariq and Ali are experts in analyzing underlying claims, considering settlement options and acting solely or as part of a team representing the client’s interests at the mediation session itself. Tariq and Ali also accept appointments to act as mediators in disputes and are registered mediators i.e. duly registered with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mediation Centre. CONSULTANCY – LAW & DEVELOPMENT
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 is organized 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. Other Partners have been involved in short-term consultancy assignments for the Asian Development Bank in projects related to legislative and judicial reforms. Axis Law Chambers possesses the experience and the expertise in providing innovative and well-balanced consultancy services -- premised always on in-depth comparative analysis.
