Basnet Attorneys and Law is a reputable and well-established full service law firm based in Thimphu, Bhutan. Specializing in litigation (legal representation in Bhutanese Courts), arbitration, legal, and business consulting especially in FDIs, our experienced Bhutanese Lawyers are committed to providing customized solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients. With a strong focus on delivering high-quality services, we adeptly guide clients through the intricacies of the Bhutanese legal system both within Bhutan and internationally.
Tika R. Basnet is a Bhutanese lawyer based in Thimphu, Bhutan, specializing in foreign direct investment (FDI) and company laws, intellectual property (IP) laws, business and technology laws, and cyber and data privacy laws. He graduated from Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law, Paro, Bhutan, with a Bachelor of Laws and Post Graduate Diploma in National Law (LLB/PGDNL). During his studies, he worked as a research assistant, copy editor for JSWLaw Review, library assistant, and student representative for media, information, and technology.
Basnet has experience providing legal support to numerous domestic and FDI businesses in the areas of restructuring, licensing, and incorporating. He has also worked as a legal counsel for an FDI, reviewing and modifying its Detailed Project Report (DPR), researching special economic zones worldwide, and advising them on FDI policy and regulations. Basnet has also worked as a legal intern at White & Case LLP in Washington DC, where he researched ransomware and reviewed data privacy and cybersecurity laws.
As a Student Legal Counsel at the Social Enterprise Clinic at JSW Law, Basnet along with other mates under the guidance to Adrian von Bernstorff, developed business plans for entrepreneurial organizations, established a Farmers Group for the students of Wangsel Institute for the Deaf to run an organic Community Supported Agriculture business and facilitated the rebranding of social enterprises. He has also worked as a research intern at The Royal Academy in Paro, assisting in developing a new 21st-century curriculum.
Basnet has founded several initiatives, including Weblaya.com, an all-in-one web platform for the Himalayas with social impact in mind.
Basnet has been recognized by His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Her Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, and the National Council of Bhutan for his work - His Majesty's Vision for Bhutan. He has also published several papers, including but not limited to "Hinduism and the Caste System in Bhutan," "Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Bhutan," and "ICT, Law and Sustainable and Equitable Socio-Economic Development in Bhutan."
Basnet previously founded Nubyul Law with two other partners and was heavily involved in arbitration, litigations (court representations), business consulting and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) consulting with countless businesses and MNCs (some working in more than 50 countries) and various well established international law firms. Basnet has also given special technology legal consultations to international firms. Over a year he has served in various capacities as Bhutan expert in legal fields.
Tika R. Basnet is a founder and attorney at law at Basnet Attorneys & Law.
Adrian von Bernstorff is a German lawyer who has been living in Bhutan with his family for over 10 years. He has a diverse background spanning across law, academia and social entrepreneurship. Currently, he serves as the CEO of Terra Himalaya Pvt. Ltd, a Foreign Direct Investment Company focused on the production and export of organic essential oils from Bhutan, with Germany’s market leader for natural essential oils Primavera Life GmbH as its main investor.
Prior to his current role, Adrian held the position of Professor for Corporate Law and Director of the Social Enterprise Clinic at Bhutan's first law school, the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (from October 2017 to February 2022). In this capacity, he advised numerous social enterprises and businesses across various industries in Bhutan. His students now serve as lawyers in various capacities in the civil service, non-governmental organizations, and private law firms.
Before his work at the Law School, Adrian developed Bhutan’s first potato chips company “Happy Chips” under the umbrella of an agricultural cooperative, which was later acquired by the FDI company Nob Bhutan Pvt. Ltd.
Before coming to Bhutan in 2013, Adrian worked as a lawyer at Becker Büttner Held law firm in Berlin, providing legal and strategic consultancy for renewable energy-related businesses.
Adrian has passed first and second state examinations in Germany and is licensed as a lawyer with the Hamburg bar association.
Mahesh Gajmer is a Lecturer at the JSW School of Law, where he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of Intellectual Property (IP) Law. His research delves into the intricate field of protecting Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions, a subject that holds immense significance in our culturally rich Bhutan.
With a keen focus on IP Law, Mahesh's recent scholarly endeavors have examined the existing legal framework of Bhutan, exploring its efficacy in safeguarding the nation's precious Traditional Cultural Expressions. His Master's thesis further underscores his commitment to this area, meticulously analyzing the IP laws in place to protect Traditional Knowledge.
Mahesh's dedication to his field is evident in his published works, including the co-authored article "Protecting and Preserving Zorig Chusum: An IP-Based analysis," featured in the well respected Journal of GNH & and Law. This contribution highlights his expertise in the intersection of IP Law and the preservation of Bhutan's rich cultural heritage.
Prior to embarking on his academic journey, Mahesh worked as an attorney at Clues and Colleagues, an IP Law firm in Bhutan.
Mahesh's areas of interest span a diverse range of topics, including IP Law and its applications in the digital age, the intersection of IP Law and big data, Competition Law and its implications for businesses, Copyright Law's role in preserving Traditional Cultural Expressions, and the interplay between Patent Law, Biodiversity Law, and Traditional Knowledge. This multifaceted approach positions him as a valuable asset in navigating the complex legal landscape of Bhutan and beyond especially in the field of IP Law.
Mahesh holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from the prestigious Munich Intellectual Property Law Center (2021), a Post-Graduate Diploma in National Law from the Royal Institute of Management (2018), and a B.A. LL.B. from Sikkim University (2014). He was admitted to the Bhutan Bar in 2020 and is an active member of the Association for Teaching and Research in Intellectual Property (ATRIP) since 2021.
Mahesh is an all-time advisor and supporter at Basnet Attorneys and Law.
Rinchen Niksum Dorji is a recent law graduate with a Post Graduate Diploma in National Law (PGDNL) from Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law and a Bachelor of Laws (BALLB) with Honors from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in New Delhi.
Known for her academic excellence and professional acumen, Ms. Dorji has chosen to specialize in criminal law, corporate law, intellectual property (IP) law, business and technology law, and health law. Niksum has been working as an Associate in Legal and Compliance at Development Consortium, a women-led non-profit organization based in Delhi, India.
Ms. Dorji has gained substantial experience through internships at some of Bhutan's top legal institutions. She began her journey at the District Courts, where she focused on foundational legal research and case management. She then moved on to the High Court, where she honed her skills in legal drafting and analysis. Her internship at the Supreme Court provided her with deeper insights into handling complex legal issues. Further, her time at the Office of the Attorney General and the Anti-Corruption Commission enhanced her abilities in criminal case analysis, court representation, and policy review. Additionally, her internship at NALSA in New Delhi refined her expertise in legal research, drafting, case analysis, and public speaking, reinforcing her commitment to delivering justice.
Beyond her legal career, Ms. Dorji is deeply committed to social justice. For the past seven years, she has been a youth advocate and co-founder of Woke Culture, an initiative aimed at raising awareness on social issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mental health, and fundamental rights. She volunteers with Y-PEER Asia Pacific and serves on the core team for the ICPD30 Regional Youth Group, where she facilitates workshops, leads discussions, and conducts online training sessions. She has also represented Bhutan at various international forums.
Ms. Dorji aims to integrate her legal knowledge with social advocacy, particularly at the grassroots level. Her goal is to deliver social justice and provide legal aid to those who are in genuine need.
She stands by her motto: "Service to the Grassroots."