Practice Areas

We provide expert advice on business structures, company formation, and licensing requirements for various business sectors. As a pioneer, our firm was selected to submit the first business registration at SERVE (Service for the Registration and Verification of Entrepreneurs). Beyond incorporation and licensing, we assist clients with working visas, opening bank accounts, and other essential startup activities.

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In a market where corporate governance and compliance are still developing, we act as company secretary for Timor-Leste companies, particularly subsidiaries of foreign companies and those with plans for public listings in other jurisdictions.

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Additionally, we conduct comparative jurisdictional surveys for foreign entities, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, seeking to establish legal presence in Timor-Leste, ensuring compliance with local laws and practices.

Our firm specializes in negotiating and drafting a broad range of commercial agreements tailored to diverse business needs and sectors, including cross-border transactions.

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We assist in acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder matters, and all aspects of commercial and company law, including providing due diligence and field reports for assessment of risks or legal/ regulatory compliance. We also offer expert advice and drafting services for personal and corporate loan agreements and security documents, including guarantees.

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Our firm is a trusted partner for investors seeking special investment projects in Timor-Leste. We help prepare investment proposals, negotiate special investment agreements with the government, and secure incentives and benefits. A notable achievement includes advising on a USD 700 million investment in 2022, the largest non-oil and gas investment project in the country.

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We also provide advice on procurement law and handle disputes related to tenders for major infrastructure and other projects.

We provide expert advice to navigate the complexities of property rights arising from conflicting regimes under Portuguese and Indonesian control under the framework of the recently enacted Land Law. We conduct due diligence on land ownership, advise on and prepare documentation for property transactions including leasing, purchasing, and property development projects.

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Our expertise extends to representing clients in court for complex land disputes, including inheritance claims. As land use by foreign entities increases, so too do disputes. We advocate for our clients in court, seeking injunctions to prevent interference with their land use and ensuring their rights are safeguarded.

Our firm provides comprehensive support for both borrowers and lenders in banking transactions. We negotiate terms for proposed facilities and advise on security arrangements. In cases of debt enforcement, we navigate enforcement actions to achieve optimal outcomes for our clients.

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We assist prospective entrants in navigating the licensing process for establishing banks and financial services in Timor-Leste, providing advice and facilitating communication with the Central Bank. 

Our firm provides legal support to employers and employees in the areas of employment law, drafting employment contracts, hiring policies, and human resource manuals. We ensure compliance with Timor-Leste’s Labour Code and social security laws.

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We also handle termination procedures, redundancy, and labour disputes, including negotiations with workers’ unions and government bodies such as SEPFOPE (Secretariat of State for Vocational Training Policy and Employment).

Wong Alliance Timor-Leste provides legal advice on downstream activities in the energy sector, assisting clients with licence applications for storage, fuel filling stations, and more. Our experience includes advising private oil companies and working with Timor-Leste’s national oil company on support services for oil and gas, such as helicopter services.

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In the mining sector, we advise on the Mining Code, licences, exploration agreements, and joint ventures with the national mining company. We have assembled a team of recognized experts in energy law to provide full-spectrum legal services in these industries.

Our qualified lawyers handle both civil and criminal litigation before Timor-Leste’s national courts and tribunals. We have expertise in international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), offering effective legal solutions for commercial disputes.

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We also assist clients in public and administrative law matters, such as tax audits, penalties, and appeals. In addition to corporate and investment matters, we provide legal advice on general civil law, including family law and inheritance disputes.

Our work in Timor-Leste began with assisting non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including churches and schools, to obtain legal status. Today, we continue to support NGOs in promoting social objectives that benefit the people of Timor-Leste, offering guidance on legal structure, compliance, and operational continuity.