Azam & Rai Partner participates in Roundtable Seminar on 'Corporate Governance Practices in Pakistan'

Sector: Corporate Regulatory Laws
As part of the Firm's continuing commitment to keep abreast of the latest legal developments, Mr. R.M.S. Azam, Partner, participated in a Roundtable Seminar convened to discuss the IFC-sponsored ‘Survey on Corporate Governance Practices in Pakistan’ held under the joint auspices of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) (World Bank Group), the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) at the Royal Palm Golf & Country Club, Lahore on 24 July 2007.

Azam & Rai Partner appointed Joint Director, Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan

Azam & Rai Partner, Maliha S. Azam, has been appointed Joint Director, Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Islamabad and will be proceeding on leave from the Firm with effect from 1 August 2007.

Azam & Rai briefs Swedish Trade Council on Investment Procedures for Foreign Investors in Pakistan

Sector: Investment Laws
Azam & Rai briefed a Deputy Trade Commissioner of the Swedish Trade Council on Investment Procedures for Foreign Investors in Pakistan with a view to encouraging and facilitating Swedish business investments in Pakistan.

Azam & Rai advises television production house on Insurance Guarantee

Sector: Insurance Law

Azam & Rai advised a television production house on securing its interests under an Insurance Guarantee to cover a television commercial production agreement for the production of television commercials for its client, a multinational telecommunications company.

Azam & Rai engaged as External Counsel by the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan

Sector: Corporate Regulatory Laws

Azam & Rai has been engaged by the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as External Counsel to conduct cases for and on behalf of the SECP.

Azam & Rai advises foreign and overseas Pakistani investors on investment in the healthcare sector in Pakistan

Sector: Investment & Corporate Laws

Azam & Rai has advised foreign and overseas Pakistani investors on the legal and regulatory aspects of investment in the healthcare sector in Pakistan, particularly with regard to setting up of a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art hospital in Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city, that would not only cater to Pakistan’s healthcare market but also attract “medical tourists” from abroad.

Azam & Rai drafts Sale-Purchase Agreement for timber transaction worth PKR 60 Million

Sector: Commercial Law

Azam & Rai drafted a Sale-Purchase Agreement for the sale, purchase and delivery of 400,000 cubic feet of timber in a transaction worth PKR 60 Million.

Azam & Rai engaged by Canadian law firm Barnes Sammon LLP, Barristers & Solicitors

Sector: Private International Law

Azam & Rai has been engaged by Canadian law firm Barnes Sammon LLP, Barristers & Solicitors for effecting the service of judicial documents of the Superior Court of Quebec on a defendant residing in Pakistan under the 1965 Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters.

Azam & Rai appointed Standing Counsel to Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Ltd.

Sector: Banking Law & Finance

Azam & Rai has been appointed on the panel of law firms acting as standing counsel to Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Ltd. The Legal Services Agreement was signed in Lahore today.

Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Ltd. is the fourth bank to engage Azam & Rai for the provision of legal services. Azam & Rai is already providing legal services in the practice area of banking law and finance to MCB Bank Ltd., Askari Commercial Bank Ltd. and Saudi Pak Commercial Bank Ltd.

Azam & Rai Partner delivers lecture on ‘The Constitutional & Judicial History of Pakistan (1947-2007) at NUCES, Lahore

Sector: Constitutional Law

Mr. R.M.S. Azam, Partner, delivered a lecture as Guest Speaker on ‘The Constitutional & Judicial History of Pakistan (1947-2007)’ at the National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (NUCES), Lahore on 25 May 2007.

Azam & Rai drafts Television Commercial Production Agreement for transaction worth PKR 60 Million

Sector: Media & Commercial Laws

Azam & Rai drafted a Television Commercial Production Agreement between a television production house and a multinational telecommunications company for a transaction worth PKR 60 Million. The agreement entails the production of a series of television commercials for the multinational telecom company.

Azam & Rai engaged by leading software developer to advise it on development of law firm management software

Sector: IT & Commercial Laws

Azam & Rai was exclusively engaged by a leading software developer to advise it on the development of law firm management software tailored for the Pakistani and South Asian market – a first for Pakistan and South Asia.

Azam & Rai Partner participates in conference on ‘International Negotiations: Processes & Dimensions’

Sector: Skills Training

As part of the Firm's continuing commitment to keep abreast of the latest legal developments, Mr. R.M.S. Azam, Partner, participated in a conference on ‘International Negotiations: Processes & Dimensions’ held under the auspices of the Department of Political Science, Forman Christian College, Lahore and the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis, Vienna, Austria at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore on 11 February 2007.

Azam & Rai again recommended by the Asia-Pacific Legal 500 as one of the leading law firms in Banking & Finance & Corporate/M&A

For the second consecutive year, Azam & Rai has been recommended by the Asia-Pacific Legal 500 (2006-2007 Edition) as one of the leading law firms in Pakistan in the areas of Banking & Finance and Corporate/M&A.

Azam & Rai is ranked amongst the top 30 law firms in the Banking & Finance sector in Pakistan. In its commentary, the Asia-Pacific Legal 500 (2006-2007 Edition) states:

"Azam & Rai is a Lahore-based, full-service, general-practice firm, and typifies the young, energetic players now entering Pakistan's legal market. It acts as standing counsel to several banks including MCB Bank, Askari Commercial Bank and Saudi Pak Commercial Bank. Rai Muhammad Saleh Azam gained wide experience while head of Walker Martineau Saleem's banking court litigation group before co-founding the firm."

Azam & Rai is ranked amongst the top 20 law firms in the Corporate/M&A sector in Pakistan. In its commentary, the Asia-Pacific Legal 500 (2006-2007 Edition) states:

"Azam & Rai has a broad commercial practice. Recent instructions include the incorporation of a Pakistan subsidiary for Swedish multinational conglomerate Terraco Group, and cross-border acquisitions for a Dubai-based company."

Azam & Rai Partner participates in lecture on ‘Amendments to the Pakistani Constitution: The Law and the Politics’

Sector: Constitutional Law

As part of the Firm's continuing commitment to keep abreast of the latest legal developments, Mr. R.M.S. Azam, Partner, participated in a lecture on ‘Amendments to the Pakistani Constitution: The Law and the Politics’ by Abid Hasan Minto, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan, held under the auspices of the Distinguished Lecturer Series by the Department of Law & Policy, Lahore University of Managements Sciences, Lahore on 17 November 2006.

Azam & Rai engaged by Pakistan-based software development company in its dispute with US software company

Sector: International Arbitration, IT & Commercial Laws

Azam & Rai was engaged by a Pakistan-based software development company in its dispute with a US software company arising out of source code delivery and payment issues under a software development agreement and a separate escrow agreement. The dispute was complicated by the fact that the software development agreement gave exclusive jurisdiction to the courts of law in St. Louis, Missouri, USA whereas the related escrow agreement, which relied heavily on the software development agreement, provided for resolution of all disputes through arbitration under the American Arbitration Association's Commercial Arbitration Rules.

Azam & Rai engaged by partnership firm to challenge fraudulent mortgage of its immovable property in favour of bank in the Lahore High Court

Sector: Litigation, Banking & Property Laws

Azam & Rai was engaged by a local partnership firm to challenge the fraudulent mortgage of its highly valuable immovable industrial property by a limited liability company in favour of a major local bank in recovery proceedings initiated by the bank before the Lahore High Court under the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Ordinance, 2001.

Azam & Rai engaged by US-based foreign investors for incorporation of company in Pakistan

Sector: Investment & Corporate Laws

Azam & Rai was engaged by foreign investors based in the United States for the incorporation of a company in Lahore, which would provide innovative state-of-the-art finishing products and services to the construction industry in Pakistan.

Azam & Rai engaged by Dubai-based multinational company in cross-border acquisitions

Sector: Cross-Border Acquisitions

Azam & Rai was engaged by a Dubai-based multinational company (engaged in the manufacture and supply of finishing materials for the construction and building industry worldwide) for the acquisition of two distribution companies in Romania and Bulgaria respectively. Azam & Rai drafted the agreements that gave effect to these cross-border transactions.

Azam & Rai Partner invited to read paper on "Export of Legal Services from Pakistan" at the UNCTAD/WTO-sponsored National Services Workshop, Karachi

Sector: International Trade Law - Export of Services

As part of the Firm's continuing commitment to keep abreast of the latest legal developments, Mr. R.M.S. Azam, Partner, participated in the National Services Workshop on “Export of Services” in context of WTO/GATS held under the auspices of the International Trade Centre (UNCTAD/WTO) as part of the European Commission-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Programme in Pakistan in conjunction with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi from 26-27 May 2006. At the Workshop, Mr. Azam read a paper titled “Export of Legal Services from Pakistan: Challenges & Opportunities.” His recommendations on ways and means to improve and increase the exports of legal services from Pakistan are being adopted in a report being prepared by the International Trade Centre for the Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan.

Azam & Rai engaged by China's New Zhong Yuan Ceramics Import & Export Co. Ltd. of Guangdong in Anti-Dumping case

Sector: International Trade Law - Anti-Dumping

Under instructions from Guangdong Grand Leeson Law Firm – a major Chinese law firm based in Foshan, China – Azam & Rai represented New Zhong Yuan Ceramics Import & Export Co. Ltd. of Guangdong, China before Pakistan’s National Tariff Commission (NTC) in response to a Notice issued to Chinese manufacturers and exporters of ceramic tiles by the NTC under the Anti-Dumping Ordinance, 2000 for the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation against alleged dumping of ceramic tiles into Pakistan originating in and/or exported from China. Azam & Rai is the first law firm in Pakistan to be engaged by Chinese manufacturers/exporters to contest possible anti-dumping duties imposed by the Government of Pakistan under the WTO regime. This Investigation has been challenged and the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court has granted a stay of the investigation proceedings.

Azam & Rai engaged by Sweden's Terraco Group for the establishment of their subsidiary company in Pakistan

Sector: Investment & Corporate Laws

Azam & Rai was engaged by Terraco Group, a major Swedish-owned construction and chemical and finishing materials manufacturing conglomerate – for the incorporation of its subsidiary company - Terraco Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. - and registration of its trademarks in Pakistan. The Terraco Group comprises of 32 companies, 15 factories and over 700 employees worldwide.

Azam & Rai instructed by Turkey-based law firm on behalf of its Chinese client for recovery of a debt from a Pakistan-based defaulter

Sector: International Trade Law & Cross-Border Debt Recovery

Azam & Rai was instructed by an international law firm based in Istanbul, Turkey – to initiate recovery proceedings against a defaulter based in Karachi, Pakistan for the recovery of US $420,000 outstanding in a trade dispute on behalf of their client, a major Chinese export development corporation based in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

Azam & Rai instructed by Edwards Duthie Solicitors (UK) for service of judicial summons

Sector: Private International Law

Azam & Rai was instructed by Edwards Duthie Solicitors (UK) on behalf of their UK-based client for effecting the service of a summons of a UK County Court on a defendant residing in Pakistan under the 1965 Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters.

Azam & Rai advises China's Guangdong Grand Leeson Law Firm on Pakistan's anti-dumping investigation procedures

Sector: International Trade Law - Anti-Dumping

Azam & Rai represented and advised Guangdong Grand Leeson Law Firm – a major Chinese law firm based in Foshan, China – on the anti-dumping investigation procedure under the laws of Pakistan in response to a Notice issued to Chinese manufacturers and exporters of ceramic tiles by the National Tariff Commission of Pakistan under the Anti-Dumping Ordinance, 2000 for the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation against alleged dumping of ceramic tiles into Pakistan originating in and/or exported from China. Azam & Rai is the first law firm in Pakistan to be engaged by Chinese manufacturers/exporters to contest possible anti-dumping duties imposed by the Government of Pakistan under the WTO regime.

Azam & Rai selected as legal consultant by Advanced Logistics Group (ALG) of Spain

Sector: Commercial Law - BOT Contracts

Azam & Rai was selected as legal consultant by Advanced Logistics Group (Consultores Transporte Logistica) (ALG) – an independent professional services company based in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain – in a bid submitted to the National Highway Authority, Ministry of Communications, Government of Pakistan to provide consultancy services for an Asian Development Bank-funded highway construction project in Pakistan on BOT-basis under the Public-Private Partnership Initiative for National Highway Development.

Azam & Rai appointed Standing Counsel to Askari Commercial Bank Ltd.

Sector: Banking Law & Finance

Azam & Rai’s banking and finance practice was bolstered by its appointment on the panel of law firms acting as standing counsel to Askari Commercial Bank Limited – one of Pakistan’s largest banks and financial service providers.

Azam & Rai engaged by major Chinese law firm for advice on the Anti-Dumping Laws of Pakistan

Sector: International Trade Law - Anti-Dumping

Azam & Rai was engaged by a major Chinese law firm to advise it on the anti-dumping laws of Pakistan as a precursor to the possible imposition of anti-dumping duties by the Government of Pakistan on Chinese manufacturers - thereby becoming the first law firm in Pakistan to be engaged by Chinese manufacturers to contest possible anti-dumping duties in Pakistan under the new WTO regime.

Azam & Rai Partners complete Certificate Course on International Commercial Arbitration

Sector: International Commercial Arbitration

As part of the Firm's continuing commitment to keep abreast of the latest legal developments, the Partners of Azam & Rai, participated in and successfully completed a Certificate Course on International Commercial Arbitration conducted by Toby Landau, Esq., Barrister, Essex Court Chambers, London, UK, held under the auspices of the Pakistan College of Law, Lahore from 6-20 January 2006.

Azam & Rai recommended by the Asia-Pacific Legal 500 as one of the leading law firms in Banking & Finance & Corporate/M&A

Azam & Rai has been recommended by the Asia-Pacific Legal 500 (2005-2006 Edition) as one of the leading law firms in Pakistan in the areas of Banking & Finance and Corporate/M&A.

Azam & Rai is ranked amongst the top 29 law firms in the Banking & Finance sector and amongst the top 32 law firms in the Corporate/M&A sector in Pakistan.