Dr. Narayan Ghimire

Dr. Narayan Ghimire is a jurist, scholar and policy expert with over three decades of practice at the apex of Nepal’s legal system. Admitted as an Advocate in 1985 and now a Senior Advocate, he has practised before the Supreme Court of Nepal and all subordinate courts since 1987. He holds a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco.

His work spans constitutional law, tort, international trade, human rights and rule-of-law reform. He has drafted and reviewed federal, provincial and municipal legislation, advised government commissions, published in international law journals, and trained Nepali lawyers and elected officials. His advisory work has ranged from UN agencies to political parties and governance-reform initiatives. He is the Founder of the Center for Rule of Law – Nepal.

Legal career

• Advocate since 1985; Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Nepal, in active practice since 1987
• Advisor on international business, contract, corporate and investment matters
• Certified Arbitrator, Asia Pacific Center for Arbitration and Mediation (APCAM), 2020
• Three years with Pradhan and Associates, working for multinational companies
• Pro-bono lawyer (court-appointed), Supreme Court of Nepal, 1991
• Member, Diplomatic Passport Abuse Investigation Commission, Government of Nepal, 2001
• Expert drafter and reviewer of federal, provincial and municipal laws of Nepal
• Founder, Center for Rule of Law – Nepal

Professional memberships

• Secretary, Executive Committee, District Bar Association, Lalitpur, 1985–1986
• Member, Executive Committee, Supreme Court Bar Association, 1990
• Member, Human Rights and People’s Concern Committee, Nepal Bar Association, 1994
• Advisory Member, Fundamental Rights Committee, Supreme Court Bar Association, 2014
• Member, Nepal Bar Association and Supreme Court Bar Association, since 1990
• Member, Nepal Council of World Affairs, 2012

Publications

• Tort Law: Principles and Practice (book, 2023); a book on Rule of Law and Civil Rights is forthcoming
• Co-author, “Reform of Legal and Regulatory Impediments to Foreign Investment and Cross-Border Trading by Nepal and Other South Asian Nations”, Energy Law Journal, Vol. 43, No. 1 (Energy Bar Association / University of Tulsa College of Law, USA)
• “Tort Law: Concept and Practice”, Special Publication No. 108, National Judicial Academy, Nepal, 2022
• “Tort Law, Concept under the Civil Code of Nepal”, 2017
• “Undermining Our Values: Threat to Human Rights”, Human Rights Journal, National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, 2017
• “Rule of Law Development in Asia”, Law Journal, Nepal Bar Council, 2016
• “Property Rights, Lease and Leasehold-Related Nepalese Law — Draft Review”, Constitution Foundation of Nepal, 2015
• “Fundamental Rights of Nepalese under the NRN Act, 2010”, nepalipost.com, 2010
• “Democracy and the Rule of Law”, Nyayadoot Law Journal, Nepal Bar Association, 1991
• Speaker, Asia Pro Bono Conference

Research and policy work

• Integrated Legal Aid Policy — Expert Consultant, Nepal Bar Association, 2018
• Draft on Prisoners’ Rights — Expert Consultant, Crennova Organisation, 2018
• Rule of Law and its Application to the Promotion of Human Rights in Nepal — research report, 2008
• Armed Conflict in Nepal — research report, 2004
• Foreign Direct Investment in Nepal — research report, 2003
• Trade Barriers for Nepal; International Environmental Human Rights; International Aviation Law — research studies, 2003
• Role of the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal — research study, 2002
• Report and Recommendations on Enforcement of the Passport Act of Nepal and Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities — submitted to the Government of Nepal, 2001

Teaching and training

• Faculty, Kathmandu University School of Law, 2020
• Visiting Faculty, Chakrabarti Law College, Purbanchal University — Contract Law, Tort Law, Private International Law
• Trainer of Trainers, National Judicial Academy, Nepal — Civil and Criminal Codes
• Trainer, Nepal Bar Association — Civil Code and Criminal Code trainings
• Joint trainer with foreign attorneys, women lawyers’ training programme (UNDP with Nepal Bar Association)
• Workshops and seminars on Rule of Law and Good Governance for lawyers, elected representatives and government officials

International experience

• Research Assistant and Adviser on humanitarian and refugee law matters, San Francisco law office, USA, 2004–2005
• Case translator and interpreter, US Immigration Court, California, 2003–2004
• Has taken part in international legal forums and conferences in Canada, China, Germany, India, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States

Scholarships and awards

• Professional Merit Scholarship (LL.M. and doctoral studies), Golden Gate University School of Law, 2001 and 2004
• Witkin Award for Excellence in Professional Responsibility, Golden Gate University School of Law, 2002
• Human Rights Internship Scholarship, Rutherford Institute, Virginia, USA, 2000