D. L. & F. De Saram

The firm: D. L. & F. De Saram, established in 1898 by Richard Francis De Saram, is among Sri Lanka's oldest and most esteemed law firms. With a legacy spanning over a century, we take pride in our rich heritage and our status as one of the country's largest full-service law firms. Led by a dynamic team of partners, we continue to uphold our tradition of excellence. Our commitment to staying abreast of evolving global legal landscapes ensures we provide top-notch legal advice and services to a diverse clientele, both local and international. Recognized as a leading firm by prestigious rankings such as IFLR 1000, Legal 500, Chambers Global, and Chambers Asia Pacific, we offer a comprehensive range of legal services. From M&A, Capital Markets, Infrastructure, Corporate & Commercial Law to Dispute Resolution, Taxation, and Intellectual Property, we cater to the diverse needs of major foreign and domestic companies operating in Sri Lanka. With expertise in Sri Lankan anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, we assist clients in compliance and serve as local counsel for investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. Additionally, we specialize in company incorporations, including BOI-approved setups, and provide comprehensive company secretarial services through our subsidiary, Corporate Advisory Services (Pvt) Ltd., to over 600 domestic companies.

Areas of practice
Banking and finance: cross-border financing for both domestic blue-chip companies and multinational corporations and financial institutions, acting as co-counsel with international law firms. The firm has widespread experience in asset and project finance and handling structured transactions in the fields of energy, infrastructure, transportation, communications, real estate and pharmaceuticals, and advises on exchange control laws and corporate financial transactions within the Sri Lankan legal framework.

Capital markets and securities: the team advises on issue of shares, debentures and warrants and other listed and unlisted instruments, derivative products and securitisations. The team assists Sri Lankan companies seeking to list shares and debt instruments in overseas exchanges, international bond issues and international banks in the preparation of memorandums and prospectuses.

Competition and antitrust: the firm advises clients on all aspects of competition law issues, on Sri Lankan anti-bribery and corruption laws, and has assisted as Sri Lankan counsel in FCPA investigations.

Restructuring and insolvency: the team advises clients on winding up laws, insolvency and deregistration filing requirements, restructuring of debt and formal insolvency proceedings. It also advises lenders and investors on corporate structuring.

Corporate and M&A: the firm has an experienced team of lawyers specialising in M&A, active in the fields of energy, infrastructure, construction and pharmaceuticals. The team handles private equity and public mergers and acquisitions, undertakes due diligence exercises and prepares share purchase and shareholders agreements, and specialises in advising clients on Sri Lankan foreign investment and amalgamation laws.

Labour, employment and immigration: the firm handles the full spectrum of labour regulations in Sri Lanka, advising domestic and multinational corporations on all aspects of labour laws, including the compatibility of international labour regulations with Sri Lankan law.

Infrastructure: the team advises clients on the regulatory framework for infrastructure development with special emphasis on ports and terminals, energy and utilities and highways. It advises lenders and developers on project finance and all types of PPP arrangements. The team advises on and prepares concession agreements, implementation agreements, joint venture agreements, purchase agreements and finance and direct lending agreements.

Intellectual property: the firm handles applications for the registration of trade marks, copyrights, industrial design, patents and related services, including litigation arising from infringements and trade mark enforcement.

Real estate: the team advises on foreign ownership restrictions, land acquisitions and sales, mortgage and lease agreements, together with due diligence examinations on real estate and the preparation, attestation and registration of transfers and other title documents.

Admiralty and shipping: the firm advises on shipping and protection and indemnity interests on cross-border disputes, with special emphasis on cargo claims, vessel mortgage enforcement and crew arrests, salvage and ground handling disputes. The firm facilitates and advises on many aspects of admiralty, shipping and international trade.

Corporate secretarial services: the firm’s secretarial division through its subsidiary, Corporate Advisory Services (Pvt.) Ltd., provides incorporation, secretarial and ancillary services to corporate clients, currently in excess of 500, in accordance with the provisions of the Sri Lanka Companies Act. CAS is a virtual one-stop shop for all services connected with the establishment and operation of a domestic or foreign company in Sri Lanka.