General Practice Law at Sri Lanka
General practice law in Sri Lanka involves legal professionals providing a wide range of legal services across various fields of law. As a small to mid-sized legal market, many lawyers in Sri Lanka offer general legal services, often representing clients in both civil and criminal matters, as well as in specialized areas such as family law, property law, and corporate law.
⚖️ Overview: General Practice Law in Sri Lanka
✅ Common Practice Areas
Civil Litigation
Contract disputes
Tort claims (including negligence, defamation, personal injury)
Property and land disputes
Debt recovery and enforcement of judgments
Criminal Law
Representation in the Magistrate’s Court and High Court
Defense in criminal trials, including drug offenses, theft, and white-collar crimes
Bail applications
Appeals in higher courts
Family Law
Divorce and separation (including mutual consent and contested divorces)
Custody and child support
Guardianship
Adoption and maintenance matters
Domestic violence cases (Protection Orders)
Land and Property Law
Conveyancing services for the sale and purchase of property
Property disputes and title issues
Leases and tenancy agreements
Land registration and boundary disputes
Wills, Probate, and Estate Planning
Drafting wills
Probate proceedings (probate of wills and letters of administration)
Inheritance disputes
Corporate and Commercial Law
Company registration and compliance with Sri Lanka Companies Act
Business contracts
Mergers and acquisitions
Partnership and shareholder agreements
Employment Law
Employment contracts and disputes
Wrongful termination claims
Workplace safety issues
Representation in Labour Tribunals
Constitutional and Administrative Law
Judicial reviews
Constitutional challenges
Government and public sector legal matters
🏛️ Legal System in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka operates under a mixed legal system that includes:
Civil Law (based on the Roman-Dutch law tradition, particularly in the civil code and property law)
Common Law (influenced by British colonial rule)
Muslim Law (applicable to Muslims in family matters)
Customary Law (in rural areas, especially for land issues and inheritance)
Sri Lanka has a unitary system of government and laws are codified under various Acts, such as the Civil Procedure Code and the Penal Code.
🧑⚖️ Court System
Magistrate’s Court – Handles smaller civil and criminal cases.
District Court – Deals with family law matters, civil cases, and some land disputes.
High Court – Deals with more serious criminal cases and civil matters, such as contract disputes.
Court of Appeal – Reviews appeals from the District and High Courts.
Supreme Court – The final appellate court, dealing with constitutional and significant legal matters.
🧑💼 Becoming a Lawyer in Sri Lanka
To practice law in Sri Lanka as a general practitioner, one must:
Complete a law degree (LL.B.) from a recognized university.
Complete a one-year apprenticeship at a law firm (under the guidance of a qualified lawyer).
Pass the Sri Lanka Bar Examination.
Be admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.
Lawyers in Sri Lanka are regulated by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.
🔍 Special Considerations
Legal Aid: Sri Lanka provides legal aid for those who cannot afford private legal services, particularly for criminal matters. The Legal Aid Commission offers assistance in family, civil, and criminal cases.
Customary and Muslim Law: In family law matters, Muslim law applies to Muslims, and customary law is important in rural areas, especially for land inheritance.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mediation and arbitration are increasingly popular in Sri Lanka, especially in commercial and civil disputes.
🏢 General Practice Law Firms in Sri Lanka
While larger firms tend to specialize, many mid-sized firms in Sri Lanka operate as general practice firms, offering a wide range of legal services. Some well-known firms include:
F J & G de Saram
Mayer & Associates
Lehman, Lee & Xu
Kassapa Law Associates
These firms offer services in civil, criminal, family, commercial, and corporate law.
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