Legal Information

The Embassy provides Americans with general information about the laws, regulations and penal code of Nepal, and has a responsibility to assist Americans who have been arrested or detained. Consular officers are prohibited, however, from interfering in legal disputes or representing American citizens in legal proceedings.

The consular section keeps a list of legal professionals who have indicated that they are willing and able to work with American citizens on criminal cases as well as other types of law such as adoption law and civil disputes. Lawyers on the list should have some English language capability.

If you have been a victim of crime, more information is available on the Emergency Assistance from the U.S. Embassy web page.

Arrest and Detention Procedures

While in Nepal, American citizens are subject to local laws and regulations. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than those in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Nepalese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Nepal are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

GENERAL MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES: If you are arrested in Nepal, you may initially be detained for up to 24 hours without formal charges. Police may request the District Court to extend the length of your detention for up to 25 days. At the end of that 25 days, the case must be forwarded to the court for filing of charges or you will be released.

IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS: Violation of immigration regulations can result in lengthy prison sentences and/or deportation. In the case of visa overstays, if the violator is unable to pay owed visa fees and fines, the person will be imprisoned until the fees are paid or "served off" at the rate of 25 rupees served off per day.

CUSTOMS VIOLATIONS: Customs violators can be arrested at all points of entry into Nepal. The chief customs officer at the place of entry or in Kathmandu, in addition to determining if a customs law has been violated, will determine the guilt or innocence of the violator and the sentence to be served. There will be no proceeding before a judge or in a court of law. The 1962 Customs Act permits the search of any vehicle or lodging upon suspicion of smuggling or possession of contraband goods. Violators should be prosecuted by the chief customs officer within a few days of arrest, in accordance with Section 34 of the Act.

Assistance From the Embassy

Consular officers are prohibited from acting as legal counsel in civil or criminal proceedings, cannot offer legal advice and cannot recommend a particular lawyer. However, consular officers can provide you with a list of attorneys and assist you with contacting an attorney of your choice. The Embassy can also provide you with general information about laws and regulations in Nepal, and help you decide who to ask for further information.

If you are detained, a consular officer will come to visit you as soon as possible to provide you with more detailed information about the detention process. Consular officers can also help you to contact friends or family in the United States if you request it, and can help you transfer funds from the U.S. to pay your legal fees or to purchase food and supplies while in jail. In some cases, government loans may be available to help you pay for dietary supplements or medical treatment. There are no U.S. government funds available to pay for counsel for Americans arrested overseas.

Legal Fees in Nepal

Hourly rates for lawyers in Nepal vary widely, depending on the experience and reputation of the attorney, and his or her position at a firm. A typical retainer fee for the lawyers on the Embassy's list is $100 per hour, though this information is subject to change and fees can sometimes be negotiated. The consular section suggests that you ask about and agree upon a rate before retaining an attorney.

List of Legal Professionals in Nepal

The following list of attorneys in Kathmandu is provided as a service to American citizens who desire to retain legal representation in Nepal.  Consular Section employees are not allowed to recommend particular attorneys, and this list should serve only as initial guidance for you in deciding which law firm to employ. 

The American Embassy in Kathmandu assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the following persons or firms.  However, they have been selected with care and include only those who have indicated a willingness to accept requests to perform legal services on behalf of United States citizens, and have done so in the past.  All have indicated that correspondence may be conducted in English.

The names on this list are arranged alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance.

1. CORPORATE LAW ASSOCIATES
P.O. Box 3400
Putali Sadak
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel:  4246445, 4258445
Fax:  4228497
E-mail:  bhandarysr@yahoo.com or associatescorporate@yahoo.com
English-speaking lawyers:  two

Fields of specialization:  will handle all types of cases
The firm handles criminal cases.
Other information:  Will accept cases outside of Kathmandu

2. DEVELOPMENT LAW ASSOCIATES
336 Prasutigriha Marg, Post Box No : 2923
Thapathali, Kathmandu
Tel. 4266415, 4242683
Fax: 4240627
E-mail:  fwld@fwld.org.np and fwld@fwld.wlink.com.np
Website: www.fwld.org.np
Number of English speaking lawyers: twelve

Fields of specialization:  Adoption, Family Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, Human Rights.
The firm handles criminal cases.
Other information:  Will accept cases outside of Kathmandu, and can provide notary services.

3. D YAD LAW ASSOCIATES
Maiti Devi Chowk, Kathmandu
Tel. 4417526
E-mail:  dyadlaw@yahoo.com and parsuramkoirala@hotmail.com
English speaking lawyers:  three

Fields of specialization:  Adoption, Banking/Financial, Child Custody, Contract, Corporate, Estate, Foreign Investment, Marriage/Divorce, and Immigration, Taxation, Insurance & Foreign Exchange, Arbitration International Contract and Labor Laws
The firm handles criminal cases.
Other information:  Will accept cases outside of Kathmandu.

4. KUSUM LAW FIRM
P.O. Box 2384
Anam Nagar, Kathmandu
Tel. 4770065
Fax: 4770653
Or,
Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Tel. 4417236, 4412060
Fax: 4423353
E-mail:  kusum@mos.com.np
English speaking lawyers:  Five

Fields of specialization:  Adoption, Auto Accident, Civil Damages, Contract, Corporate, Estate, Foreign Claim, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Banking Sector, Political, Marriage/Divorce, Notary and Tax.
The firm handles criminal cases.
Other information: Will take cases outside of Kathmandu.

5. LEGAL AID AND CONSULTANCY CENTER (LACC)
Man Bhawan, Near AVM School, Lalitpur
P.O. Box 3216
Tel. 5542999, 5543111
Fax: 5552814
E-mail:  lacc@wlink.com.np
English speaking lawyers: Five

Fields of specialization:  Adoptions, including Child Custody, Divorce, Legal Publication and Domestic Violence.
The firm accepts criminal cases involving women.
Other information:  Will accept cases outside of Kathmandu and can provide the services of a certified translator.

6. MAINALI LAW OFFICE
P.O. Box 1669
New Plaza, Putalisadak, Kathmandu
Tel. 4429444
Fax: 4416119
E-mail:  bishwakm@htp.com.np
English speaking lawyers:  Three

Fields of specialization:  Will handle cases dealing with all areas of the law.
The firm handles criminal cases.
Other information:  Will take cases outside of Kathmandu and can provide the services of a certified translator.

7. NEPAL LAW FIRM
Putali Sadak,  Ramshah Path
Kathmandu
Tel. 4228710, 4240969
Fax:  4229967
E-mail:  nepallawfirm@hotmail.com
English speaking lawyers:  Four

Fields of specialization:  Adoption, Auto Accident, Civil Damages, Contract, Corporate, Estate, Foreign Claim, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Marriage/Divorce, and Tax.
The firm handles criminal cases.
Other information:  Will take cases outside of Kathmandu.

8. NIRAULA LAW FIRM
P.O. Box 2964
Dillibazar, Kathmandu
Tel. 4433756, 4433657 ( R ); 98510-24119 (Mobile)
Fax:  4433931
E-mail:  niraula@wlink.com.np
English speaking lawyers:  Three

Fields of specialization:  Will handle all types of cases except for child custody and collection.
The firm handles criminal cases.
Other information:  Generally will not accept cases outside of Kathmandu but can provide the services of a notary.

9. R-R Law Associates
P.O. Box 52
Keshar Mahal, Kantipath
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel.:  4412825, 4411976; 98510-41043 (Mobile)
Fax:  4423347
E-mail:  lokrr@wlink.com.np
English-speaking lawyers:  Five

Fields of specialization:  will handle all types of cases
The firm handles criminal cases.
Other information:  Will accept cases outside of Kathmandu if the location is accessible by air/bus.

10. SINGH LAW COMPANY
Ram Kunj ,Tripureshwor
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel:  4241844, 4241484;  98510-36130 (Mobile)
Fax:  4241844
E-mail:  slc@wlink.com.np
English-speaking lawyers:  Four

Fields of specialization:  will handle all types of cases.
The firm handles criminal cases. Other information:  Will accept cases outside of Kathmandu.

11. SINHA LAW FIRM
HumanChowk, Anam Nagar
Kathmandu
Tel. 4222107, 4415773
Fax: 4415774
E-mail:  anilk@wlink.com.np and mahesh@anilk.wlink.com.np
English speaking lawyers:  Nine

Fields of specialization:  Mainly Revenue Related, Banking/Financial, Civil Damage, Collection, Contract, Corporate, Estate, Foreign Claim, Foreign Investment, Government Relations, Insurance, Intellectual Property and Tax.
The firm does NOT handle criminal cases except for revenue related.
Other information:  Will accept cases outside of Kathmandu and can provide the services of a certified translator and stenographer.