Neelakandan & Neelakandan

Neelakandan & Neelakandan (formerly Murugesu & Neelakandan) is one of the leading law firms in Sri Lanka and has been in practice for over 50 years.

The Firm was founded in 1962 and is recognised as one of the most efficient and professional law firms in Sri Lanka. The Firm has been satisfying its foreign and local clients with its dynamic approach and high calibre expertise. During almost half a century, the Firm has built a reputation for meeting its clients’ needs without compromising ethics, integrity and professionalism.

Neelakandan & Neelakandan is a member of Meritas, one of the world’s largest alliances of prequalified independent law firms.

The Firm was involved in almost all the leading power projects in Sri Lanka. The Firm acted for the senior lenders IFC, CDC and DEG in the Asia Power Project. The Firm acted for the syndicate of six banks which financed two power projects of Aitken Spence. The Firm also advises AES Kelanitissa in their 168 MW power project.

The Firm is acting for a number of leading banks in Colombo in various matters related to banking, including American Express Bank, Citi Bank NA, Habib Bank AG Zurich, Shinhan Bank of Korea, CIMB Investment Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Union Bank of Colombo PLC, Hatton National Bank PLC and Commercial Bank PLC. It acted for Emirates Bank International when it divested its interests in its Colombo branch to the Hatton National Bank.

The Firm has advised the World Bank in updating its Global Insolvency Database (GILD) in respect of Sri Lanka Insolvency and Creditor Rights.

The Firm advised Nations Trust Bank which took over the business of Overseas Trust Bank branch in Colombo. The Firm’s services were also sought by Standard Chartered Bank in its integration of Standard Grindlays Bank and Standard Chartered Bank in Colombo. The Firm advised the American Express Bank on divesting of its commercial banking and foreign exchange services to Nations Trust Bank, and continues to advise American Express Bank on its operations in Sri Lanka.

The Firm advises LankaClear the National Clearing House, in connection with the Inter-Bank Payment Switch and the Cheque Imaging, Truncation System. The Firm also advises Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited and also advised Allianz SE on the formation of its life insurance company, Allianz Life Insurance Lanka Limited.

The Firm advised Next PLC in its global restructuring of its business including the takeover of NV Manufacturing Limited. The Firm recently advised Debenhams PLC in connection with franchising arrangements in Sri Lanka and Samsung C&T Corporation, on its potential entry into the Sri Lankan market and on all matters relating to local laws.

The Firm is also acting for two of the main contractors of the US$741 Million Southern Transport Development Project for construction of the southern expressway and advising a contractor in the Outer Circular Highway Project.

The Firm continues to advise Keangnam Corporation of Korea Condominium Development Project and is also advising a foreign client which is constructing a five star hotel in Colombo and is also advising various clients on tourism hotel projects throughout the country.

The Firm advises clients on large scale infrastructure projects including two foreign contractors of the Southern Transport Development Project.

The Firm has acted in high profile cases involving areas of Administrative and Constitutional Law matters. The Firm has also advised stakeholders on enactment of new laws and proposed amendments to existing laws.

The Firm continues to advise many International Law Firms and P&I Clubs on admiralty and shipping matters.

The Firm is also acting for various clients in arbitration involving various issues relating to Construction, Shipping and other matters.

The Firm continue to handle a large volume of trademark, industrial design and patent applications for a number of local, as well as foreign clients (including fortune 500companies), including Rolls-Royce, BMW, Google, Citibank, Marriott, Research in Motion, Samsung, Hilton Worldwide, Audi AG, Panasonic, LG, Hyundai, Levi Strauss, Debenhams, ICI Paints Akzonobel, Visa International, Staedtler, TVS, Kraft, Hermes International and Victoria’s Secret.

The Firm also advised Google Inc on illegal registrations of its domain name. TheFirm has also been advising clients in infringement of trademark and related litigation and continues to act for Marriott and BMW in a trademark/tradename infringement matters.