Arion Legal

Expat Rescources

Land In Laos: Can I Have Some Please ?

Many foreigners who come to Laos are interested in living in the area and in having a home, be it an apartment, a condominium or a house to live in. Because home ownership is so common in other countries, many want to buy their own home or otherwise control the property.
Being new to Laos one of the first questions you may have is whether you can buy property to live in or as part of your business plans.
Land ownership, and the rights of foreigners over land, is a complicated issue here. Foreigners are ….

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InvestmentsLao EconomyRules and Law

Arbitration in Laos

The choice of arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism has risen in popularity as a time and cost-effective option to resolve commercial disputes. By including an arbitration clause in contractual arrangements, contracting parties may agree in advance on the seat and rules of arbitration, the size of the arbitration panel and even the rules to ….

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BusinessInvestmentsLao EconomyPermitsRules and Law

Why It’s Time To Comply: Internal Regulations For Workplaces In Laos

The Labour Law (2013) came into effect on 28 October 2014, repealing and replacing the previous Labour Law (2006) and introducing a number of significant changes relating to the basic rules of employment in Lao PDR. As the Labour Law is now well into its third year in force, we consider one of its more significant yet often overlooked legal requirements for employers in Lao PDR – internal regulations or “work rules” of the workplace for employees.

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Expat Rescources

How do I start my own business in Laos?

Laos is considered one of the most difficult countries in the world in which to start a business, however there is a basic structure and process to follow. For investors who are new to Laos, finding out what company structures are possible and suitable for your investment can be very confusing. In brief, there are two options for your investment under Lao law: establishing a Representative Office or establishing a Limited Company. Both Representative Office and Limited Company structures have their benefits and advantages, depending on what you intend to achieve in the Lao PDR.

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Expat Rescources

The Basic Rules Of Employment In Laos: Updates to the Lao Labour Law

In June 2014, the new Labour Law (2013) was approved, replacing the Labour Law (2006). The new law is the result of extensive discussions between the various Lao authorities, private sector entities and development organisations, and introduces a number of changes to the basic rules of employment in Laos, including the employment of foreign workers.
Because the area of employment law is quite vast, this is ……

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BusinessPermitsRules and Law

Merger Of McDonald Steed McGrath Lawyers Co Ltd With Australian Law Firm Arion Legal

McDonald Steed McGrath Lawyers Co Ltd has merged with Australian law firm Arion Legal, (www.arionlegal.com) creating a strong and improved presence and capability in the Lao PDR, now under the new name “Arion Legal” (incorporating McDonald Steed McGrath Lawyers Co Ltd).
The merger will allow Arion Legal to leverage the strong …

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Rules and Law

Enforcement of Contracts in Laos

Here in Laos there is a system of ‘notarising’ and ‘registering’ various documents that are used in everyday life and for business purposes. A “certified translation” is sometimes required by embassies and the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for example for visa applications and official documentation. A certified translation of a document can be obtained from a company registered to provide translations.
A “notary” is generally defined as a person with legal training (but not a law degree necessarily) who is licensed by the state to perform acts in ……

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Expat Rescources

Marrying or Divorcing in Laos – Updates 2014

As many foreigners have discovered to their dismay, marrying or divorcing a Lao citizen is not a straightforward process. Unlike most other jurisdictions, a foreigner must obtain the permission of the Lao government in order to marry a Lao. The overall process involves the presentation of a number of documents, interviews and assessment of the application by various government offices.
Below is a very brief discussion of the steps required to marry your beloved. Obviously every marriage (and divorce!) is different and you should obtain ……

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