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JLA

JLA Lawyers and Consultants

JLA
Our mission is to provide legal services of excellence, contributing to the legislative, institutional, economic and social development of Timor-Leste and the quality training of Timorese staff in the legal sector. We are committed to supporting our clients with innovative and effective legal solutions.
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  • Legal Excellence: Maintaining and improving the quality of the services provided, ensuring robust and reliable legal support.
  • Sustainable Development: Contributing to Timor-Leste's legislative and institutional development by actively participating in key projects and programs.
  • Specialized Consulting: Offering comprehensive legal advice to the private and public sector, covering the varied areas of law.
  • International Networks: Strengthen and expand collaborative relationships with international law firms, namely by promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
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Recognition

JLA is recognized by Chambers And Partners as one of the most prestigious law firms in Timor-Leste. This recognition reflects the quality of the legal assistance provided to unique programs and projects in the country.
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JLA, together with Morais Leitão, is pleased to have contributed to the 2024 edition of @CliffordChance Unilateral Option Clauses Survey
2024-12-06
JLA, together with Morais Leitão, is pleased to have contributed to the 2024 edition of @CliffordChance Unilateral Option Clauses Survey
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New Competition Law in Timor-Leste
2026-04-10
New Competition Law in Timor-Leste
Law No. 1/2026, of 25 March, establishes the Competition Law framework in Timor-Leste, promoting free competition through the prohibition of restrictive practices, the introduction of a mandatory merger control regime, and enforcement by a new competent public authority with supervisory and sanctioning powers (with the Central Bank of Timor-Leste acting in the financial sector); it applies, in principle, to all economic activities, with oil, natural gas and minerals excluded, prohibits agreements and abuses (including dominance, economic dependence and purchasing power), allows efficiency-based exemptions, requires prior notification of certain concentrations, provides for market studies and fines of up to 10% of turnover, will enter into force on 21 September 2026, and its effectiveness will depend on the establishment of the authority, with companies advised to assess its impact on their activities.

See our Legal Alert here.
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Soraia Marques, Partner at JLA, signs article in the prestigious Administrative Law Magazine
2024-09-04
Soraia Marques, Partner at JLA, signs article in the prestigious Administrative Law Magazine
Soraia Marques, a partner at JLA, has written an article for the prestigious Administrative Law Journal in Portugal, dedicated to the Legal Regime of Territorial Planning Instruments in Timor-Leste. Throughout the article, the territorial planning instruments are analyzed, as well as the entities responsible for drafting and approving, revising, suspending and revoking the instruments, precautionary measures, execution and violation of the plans.  

This is a landmark piece of legislation for spatial planning in Timor-Leste, which is still in a transitional phase towards the establishment of local government.
For those interested, copies can be purchased at: https://revista-rda.pt/rda/
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