Legal services in Cambodia

Hello Priscilla.

Expats can get in need of several areas of legal assistance, be it for work, immigration, starting up a business, buying a house or land.

But also criminal and civil legal assistance are needed sometimes.

Think of custody of a here born child with mixed parents, think of a spouse that borrowed money from a bank with the foreigner's real estate as guarantee. The permission and signature of the foreigner is not needed, so a big surprise can happen when a couple separates, the man wants to sell his condo only to find out that it is under mortgage and no value left.

But also inheritance matters, foreigner has kids in his homeland but wants his Cambodian girlfriend or spouse be part of his will.  Western law says children have a right of the inheritance so not so easy.

But in normal life where everything is arranged and goes well there is no need for legal advice or assistance.

If needed there is a lot available, some firms have specialized lawyers, some specialize on foreigner matters. Important is that the legal assistant or lawyer speaks enough English that the foreigner understands what he is talking about. I know a firm that has French, English and Russian legal assistants working for them.

Another way to get legal advice is your embassy/consulate. I know from the US, UK and OZ embassy that they have legal advisors for citizens of their country.

I have not needed legal advice myself, but if it is necessary it's good to know that it is available, for sure in Phnom Penh.

Regards.

Joe