Alpine Law Associates is the leading full-service law firm encompassing a wide range of legal practices located in Kathmandu, Nepal. It consists of a team of the country's best lawyers, each with expertise in their respective fields, tailored to meet clients' specific needs.
Anamnagar-29, Kathmandu
"Divorce in Nepal under Muluki Civil Code 2074 Sec. 93–115 — mutual consent (2 days) vs contested (12–24 months), grounds, Sec. 96 partition, Sec. 100 alimony, Sec. 115 child custody, NRN POA workflow, realistic court fees and appeals. 2026 practitioner guide."
A 2026 (2083 BS) pillar guide to property types and legal rights in Nepal — the constitutional framework under Article 25 of the Constitution of Nepal 2072 (the right to acquire, own, enjoy, sell, and otherwise deal with property), the classification framework under the National Civil Code 2074 (Section 253 immovable property; Section 254 movable property; Section 255 seven ownership classes — private, joint, common, community, public, government, Guthi / trust), the Land Revenue Office registration framework, the foreign-investor and NRN property-purchase restrictions, the inheritance and partition rules under Chapter 14 of the Civil Code, the property-tax framework, and the special Guthi-system overlay for religious and charitable property.
A 2026 pillar guide to the hierarchy of courts in Nepal under the Constitution 2072 and the Administration of Justice Act 2073 — the three-tier court structure of one Supreme Court, seven High Courts and seventy-seven District Courts, the specialised tribunals under Article 152, judicial committees at the local level, original and appellate jurisdiction, the writ powers of the Supreme Court under Article 133 and the High Courts under Article 144, judge appointment through the Judicial Council, and the practical appeal chain a litigant follows from filing in a District Court to a Constitutional Bench hearing at the Supreme Court.
"A 2026 guide to the Banking Offence and Punishment Act 2064 (2008) and its 2073 amendment — what counts as a banking offence (false-document accounts, unauthorised withdrawals, card misuse, fraudulent loans, loan diversion, cheque dishonour with dishonest intent), the amount-graded punishment, who investigates and prosecutes, the one-year filing limitation, and how it overlaps with the cheque-bounce framework."
A 2026 practitioner's guide to borrowing and lending in Nepal under the Muluki Civil Code 2074 and the Nepal Rastra Bank framework — Section 478 interest provisions, the Section 481 statutory cap that total cumulative interest cannot exceed principal, the Tamasuk loan deed, secured lending through pledge / mortgage / hypothecation, the 10-year limitation for loan recovery, licensed-lender regulation under NRB, cheque-bounce recovery under Penal Code Section 484, and the document trail that holds up at the District Court.
A 2026 (2083 BS) practitioner's guide to succession and inheritance in Nepal under the National Civil Code 2074 — the coparcener doctrine and Section 205 daughters' equal-share rights, the order of intestate succession (spouse and children first, then parents, then siblings), the distinction between ancestral and self-acquired property (Section 215 onwards), testate succession through wills (formalities, restrictions on disposing of joint family property), the partition process at the District Court, the cross-border issues for NRN heirs and foreign-citizenship beneficiaries, and the appeal route through the High Court and Supreme Court.
A 2026 practitioner's guide to medical negligence in Nepal under the tri-statute framework — the Nepal Medical Council Act 2020, the Muluki Civil Code 2074 negligence provisions (Sections 672 to 684), and the Consumer Protection Act 2075 — covering the four elements of negligence, the Bolam standard for professional care, the multi-track remedy options (NMC complaint, Consumer Court, District Court civil suit, criminal complaint), compensation ranges, documentation requirements and hospital vicarious liability.
"The Consumer Protection Act 2075 (2018) replaced the 1998 Act. It codifies nine consumer rights, sets penalties from NPR 30,000 + 2 years (false advertising under Sec 9a) to NPR 500,000 + 14 years (life-threatening harm under Sec 10e), establishes a specialised Consumer Court (Kathmandu, operating since Falgun 2078), and lets consumers seek compensation under Section 22. Complaints are filed free at the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (DoCSCP) Babarmahal, Local-Level Dispute Resolution Committee or directly at the Consumer Court."
"Child custody laws in Nepal under the Muluki Civil Code 2074 — the Sec. 115 age framework (under 5 with mother, 5–10 with father, 10+ child's choice), maternity and paternity (Sec. 105–106), dispute resolution (Sec. 110), child maintenance (Sec. 116) and visitation (Sec. 117). Covers parental agreements, NRN custody and death-of-a-parent scenarios. 2026 practitioner guide."
"An NRN or person abroad can file a case in Nepal through a Nepali lawyer appointed under an Adhikrit Waresnama (POA) authenticated at the Nepali Embassy or Consulate-General under Section 153 of the Muluki Dewani Karyabidhi Sanhita 2074. Embassy-authenticated POA is directly usable in Nepal without MoFA Tripureshwor re-attestation. Foreign-notary-only POAs require the 4-stage chain — foreign notary → competent authority → Nepali Embassy → MoFA Tripureshwor. Most common NRN cases: divorce (mutual consent 3–6 months), property partition, inheritance, ancestral land disputes. Nepal does NOT recognise foreign judgments without bilateral treaty or reciprocity under the Mutual Legal Assistance Act."
A 2026 practitioner's guide to abortion law in Nepal under the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act 2075 read with the National Penal Code 2074 — Section 15 conditions, the 12-week on-request window, the 28-week exceptions for rape, incest, foetal anomaly and maternal health, the consent rules, the sex-selective abortion prohibition, the licensed-provider framework, the Section 188 punishment for unlawful abortion, the Section 190 six-month limitation, and the constitutional grounding under Article 38(2).
A 2026 practitioner's guide to the law of hurt in Nepal under Sections 191 to 197 of the Muluki Penal Code 2074 — the definition of hurt and grievous hurt, mens rea tiers, the role of the weapon and the nature of the injury, fracture, disfigurement and permanent disability, punishment ranges, the Medico-Legal report and chain-of-custody, compounding and non-compounding of certain hurt offences, victim compensation, the domestic-violence overlap, self-defence and consent in sport and medical contexts.
A 2026 practitioner's guide to robbery, theft and dacoity laws in Nepal under the National Penal Code 2074 — the offence ladder from theft (Sec. 241) and aggravated theft (Sec. 242) through burglary (Sec. 243) to robbery (Sec. 244) and dacoity; punishment bands from three years up to fourteen years and beyond; aggravators for night-time, dwelling, by servant, and against vulnerable victims; receiving stolen property; restitution to victim; compoundability rules; and the District Court investigation route with 35-day appeal.
"How Nepal's Domestic Violence (Offence and Punishment) Act 2066 (2009) and Rules 2067 work in 2026 — the definition of physical, mental, sexual and economic harm in a family relationship, the three places a complaint can be filed (Police, National Women Commission, Local Body / ward), the District Court process and interim protection order, the Section 12 penalty of NPR 3,000-25,000 fine and/or up to 6 months imprisonment, the 90-day limitation, and the 1145 helpline run by the NWC."
A 2026 practitioner's guide to homicide laws in Nepal under Chapter 12 of the Muluki Penal Code 2074 — intentional murder (Sec 177), knowledge homicide (Sec 178), grave-provocation killing (Sec 179), reckless homicide (Sec 181), negligent homicide (Sec 182), attempt to murder (Sec 183), abetment of suicide (Sec 185), defences of private defence and insanity, prosecution by the District Government Attorney under the State Cases Act, 35-day appeal limitation and the no-limitation rule for serious homicide.
A 2026 practitioner's guide to aggravating and mitigating factors in Nepali criminal sentencing under the National Sentencing Act 2074 — what each factor means, how courts weigh them at the sentencing hearing, examples across homicide, sexual offences, theft and fraud, the right of victims to make submissions, and the appellate grounds rooted in factor analysis. Built for defence counsel, prosecutors and victims preparing for a Nepali sentencing hearing.
Complete guide to the Muluki Civil Code 2074 and Muluki Criminal Code 2074 in Nepal — chapters, key provisions on family, contract, property, inheritance, and crimes. Updated April 2026.
A 2026 practitioner's guide to the principle of natural justice in Nepal — the two pillars (audi alteram partem and nemo judex in causa sua), Article 21 fair-trial guarantee under the Constitution of Nepal 2072, application in civil, criminal, administrative and quasi-judicial proceedings, types of bias, right to reasoned decision, right to representation, statutory exceptions, and writ remedies (certiorari and mandamus) against breach.
A 2026 practitioner's guide to the procedural rights of defendants in Nepal under the Constitution of Nepal 2072 — Article 20 (no self-incrimination, right to counsel), Article 21 (fair trial, prompt hearing, presumption of innocence), Article 22 (no torture, no double jeopardy), Article 23 (no ex-post-facto laws, no excessive punishment) — read with the National Criminal Procedure Code 2074, Legal Aid Act framework, bail presumption, habeas corpus and the constitutional writ remedies under Articles 133 and 144.
A 2026 practitioner's guide to performance of contract in Nepal under the Muluki Civil Code 2074 — time, place and manner of performance, reciprocal duties, attempted vs actual performance, substituted performance through third parties, impossibility under Section 531, frustration doctrine, joint and several performance, discharge by performance, and the practical document trail that proves performance at the District Court.
A 2026 practitioner's guide to breach of contract in Nepal under the Muluki Civil Code 2074 — what constitutes breach, types (actual, anticipatory, material, partial), the Section 535 damages framework (direct, real, foreseeable; no anticipatory loss), Section 538-540 rescission and specific performance, Section 541 injunction for anticipatory breach, Section 544 two-year limitation, the frustration defence under Section 531, waiver and estoppel, cure where time is not of the essence, and the documentary trail required to prove breach at the District Court.
A 2026 (2083 BS) practitioner's guide to Nata Kayam (नाता कायम) relationship certification in Nepal — the legal mechanism for establishing kinship and family relationships under the National Civil Code 2074, the two operative routes (ward office for uncontested cases, District Court for disputed lineage or insufficient documents), the document set (citizenship certificates, birth certificates, family population card, photographs, ward recommendation), the ward office 1-to-2 day timeline and District Court weeks-to-months process, the DNA testing protocol where biological lineage is contested, the downstream uses (descent citizenship, inheritance and partition, property transfer, pension claims, school enrolment, NRN inheritance), and the appeal route through the higher courts.
A 2026 practitioner's guide to locus standi in Nepal — the strict standing rule for civil suits, the public interest litigation expansion under Article 133 of the Constitution of Nepal 2072, landmark Supreme Court jurisprudence on standing, statutory standing under specific statutes, standing in habeas corpus and fundamental-rights petitions, and the bona fide test that filters frivolous or vested-interest standing claims.
"Unlawful detention in Nepal is governed by Articles 17 (right to freedom), 20 (right relating to justice — produce within 24 hours), 21 (rights of crime victim) and 22 (right against torture) of the Constitution of Nepal 2015, the Muluki Aparadh Sanhita (Penal Code) 2074 Sections 200-205 (unlawful detention offences — up to 4 years for secret confinement; up to 3 years for simple unlawful detention plus victim compensation), and the Muluki Criminal Procedure Code 2074 custody-limit framework (24-hour production rule, 25-day investigation custody cap for serious offences). Habeas corpus is available under Article 133 (Supreme Court) and Article 144 (High Court) — filing is FREE and matters move on 24-72 hour expedited schedule."
"The three company types under the Companies Act 2063 in Nepal — Private Limited (max 101 shareholders, Sec. 9(1)), Public Limited (min 7 shareholders Sec. 9(2), minimum paid-up capital NPR 10 million Sec. 11(1)), and the Profit-Not-Distributing / non-profit company (Sec. 166). This 2026 guide compares shareholders, capital, share issue, profit distribution and which structure fits your goal."
Complete guide to NRN property rights in Nepal — what NRNs can buy, the 5 location-tiered land-area limits under Section 11 of NRN Rules 2066 (2 ropani Kathmandu Valley, 4 ropani other municipalities, 8 kattha Terai municipalities, 1 bigha Terai rural, 10 ropani other rural), inheritance rules, and the registration process under the Non-Resident Nepali Act 2064. Updated April 2026.
Honest 2026 guide to online divorce in Nepal — full online divorce is NOT available under the Civil Code 2074, but Section 93 mutual consent divorce can be filed and concluded through a Power of Attorney route at the District Court for couples abroad. Covers POA process for NRN spouses, country-by-country embassy chain, e-filing pilot status, mutual consent vs contested timelines, court fees, MoFA attestation for foreign use, and post-decree registration.
"Can you register a marriage online in Nepal? In 2026, not fully — the DoNIDCR system lets you start an online application, download forms and check status, but final submission, identity and witness verification, and the marriage certificate are issued in person at the Local Registrar (ward office). This guide explains what is actually online, where to register, the deadline, and the foreign-national and NRN positions."
"Family law in Nepal under the Muluki Civil Code 2074 — marriage (Sec. 67–91), divorce (Sec. 93–104), child custody (Sec. 115), partition (Sec. 205–236), succession, adoption and guardianship. 2026 practitioner pillar guide with the gender-equality reforms, court forum map, and deep-dive routes to every sub-topic."
"How the Social Security Fund (SSF) works in Nepal in 2026 — the Contribution-Based Social Security Act 2074 + Regulations 2075, administered by the SSF (samajik suraksha kosh) under MoLESS, with mandatory enrolment for formal-sector employers and a 31% combined contribution (11% employee + 20% employer) on basic salary. This guide covers the four protection schemes, the 15th-of-month deposit deadline, sosys.ssf.gov.np registration, and how SSF replaces older PF/gratuity arrangements."
A 2026 practitioner's guide to the acid attack law in Nepal under Section 192(ka) of the Muluki Penal Code 2074 and the Acid and Other Hazardous Chemicals (Regulation) Act 2076 — punishment for face and body disfigurement, the fine-as-compensation rule, regulation of acid sale, victim protection and rehabilitation framework, FIR and investigation, medical-evidence chain, civil compensation in addition to criminal punishment, and the gender dimensions of acid-violence prosecution in Nepal.
A 2026 practitioner's guide to suicide law in Nepal under the Muluki Penal Code 2074 — historic decriminalisation of attempted suicide, the abetment offence under Sections 184–185, punishment and fine, the six-month limitation in Section 187, investigation pathway (FIR, suicide note, digital trail), the overlap with the Electronic Transactions Act and Cyber Crime Bureau for online-harassment-driven suicide, and the Mental Health Act 2074 framework that now governs post-attempt care.
"How to get a liquor licence in Nepal in 2026 — the excise licence for producing, importing or wholesaling alcohol comes from the Inland Revenue Department under the Excise Duty Act 2058 and Liquor (Madira) Act 2031, while retail and bar licences come from the local municipality. This guide covers the licence types, the issuing authority for each, renewal, the production licence, and the age and advertising restrictions."
"The Act Relating to Children 2075 (2018) — Nepal's principal child-protection statute. Defines a child as under 18 (Sec. 2), guarantees rights to name and identity (Sec. 4), lists children in need of special protection (Sec. 48), sets the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 10 and the juvenile justice tiers (Sec. 36), creates the Juvenile Court (Sec. 30) and the National Child Rights Council (Sec. 59), and penalises offences against children. 2026 guide."
A 2026 practitioner's guide to torture law in Nepal — Constitution of Nepal 2072 Article 22 prohibition, the Compensation Relating to Torture Act 2053 (1996) for civil compensation against State actors, criminalisation of torture by public officials under the National Penal Code 2074, the Convention against Torture (CAT) framework Nepal acceded to in 1991, the National Human Rights Commission investigation role, custodial torture aggravators, and how Alpine Law Associates structures torture compensation and criminal complaints for victims.
