DTA’s renowned Administrative Law Practice Group is widely acclaimed for its expertise in the field, routinely handling some of the largest public projects in country. We advise on regulatory compliance, procurement and public finance, undertake due diligence and provide expert assistance in cross-disciplinary administrative legal issues. Our litigators are elite practitioners, with broad appellate expertise, including on constitutional issues.
DTA is the only Timorese law firm actively engaged in carbon-related initiatives, leveraging its deep understanding of the regulatory and market landscape. Since 2015, through its ongoing support to Ho Musan Ida (WithOneSeed), the country's first internationally certified “Gold Standard” voluntary carbon credit project, the firm has played a pivotal role in negotiations with the Government on the country’s first MoU on carbon credits, and advising on the strategic framework for a national Carbon Credit Program and also a major carbon capture and storage project in the Timor Sea.
DTA is a key player in the climate change and environmental law sector of Timor-Leste, offering insightful counsel on matters pertaining to climate change and environmental conservation, including advising the Secretary of State of Environment on Timor-Leste’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, as well as other climate change-related laws and regulations.
DTA provides comprehensive guidance and strategic counsel to businesses. With extensive expertise in dealing with SERVE for business registration and licensing, we streamline the process to allow our clients to focus on their business operations while we handle the regulatory and compliance aspects efficiently. In the field of commercial law, DTA specializes in drafting, negotiating, and enforcing agreements pertaining to unique and complex deals, bringing a pragmatic and client-centered approach to a wide variety of commercial contracts.
DTA understands the significance of intellectual property protection and our expertise ensures tailored strategies to safeguard Clients’ trademarks, patents, copyright and related rights.
DTA has acted as lead local counsel for the drafting and approval processes for the Timor-Leste Copyright Law (enacted) and Industrial Property Code (pending approval) and we are familiar with all relevant statutes.
Within the sphere of labour relations, DTA excels in providing nuanced solutions and expert advice. We assist organizations in managing workforce dynamics, fostering a balanced and productive work environment. On a regular basis, we support businesses, NGOs and individuals in employment-related disputes, strikes, contract negotiations, social security enrolment, redundancies and disciplinary proceedings.
In matters concerning property rights and transactions on immovables, our customer base includes some of the most significant property developers and financiers operating in Timor-Leste. From real estate transactions to land disputes, our team safeguards clients' interests with strategic counsel tailored to local challenges and legal complexities.
Our team combines professional Tetum translators and qualified lawyers with extensive experience in legal translation, consisting of drafting public policy and legislative instruments, Government portals and international contracts – including on sovereign debt – in multiple languages and advising multilateral organizations on multilingual legal projects. Almost daily, DTA provides accurate and reliable legal translations in English, Tetum, Bahasa Indonesia and Portuguese, ensuring clear and effective communication and comprehension for clients operating in Timor-Leste.
DTA has a distinguished track record in the oil and gas sector, offering expert legal advice to multinational oil & gas companies on regulatory engagement, negotiations on production sharing contracts, concession and contractual disputes, international commercial arbitration, tax law and environmental laws, ensuring adherence to local and international regulations. Within our team, we have significant in-country experience, with Partner José Teixeira, as a former Minister for Natural Resources, having established the legal framework to regulate the petroleum sector in Timor-Leste’s formative years.
DTA’s Tax Practice boasts extensive proficiency in tax law, providing tailored guidance to individuals and businesses alike to suit local conditions and tax regime. Our tax attorneys are commercially minded and take a practical and proactive approach, helping clients to structure their transactions to maximize benefits and minimize obligations. Our credentials in include (successful) assistance to two international oil companies relating to tax cases within the former Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA).
The DTA Transportation Practice Team has extensive experience in the sector, having advised key clients in the aviation and maritime shipping industries, including in respect of aircraft licensing and certification, acquisition of business interests, and ongoing legal advice to one of the largest global shipping companies.
We have also conducted two comprehensive regulatory audits on the air transportation services industry in Timor-Leste, namely in the context of Timor-Leste’s accession to the WTO.