The legal system prevailing in Pakistan is largely inherited from English Colonial times , the Civil Procedure Code itself (though amended from time to time) dates back to 1908, the Contract Act to 1872 and so on.
The Judicial Structure from Pre-Independence days has also by and large survived to this day , however it has evolved over the decades and adapted itself to suit present day conditions.
There is a Federal Shariat Court ( established in the 1980’s through a constitutional amendment) as well as special courts dealing with Narcotics/Terrorism etc cases.
The Judgments/orders /decrees of the courts are predominantly in the English Language so are all the established legal journals and publications, yet URDU is largely resorted to in actual litigation,which therefore requires a “Hands On” approach .
The Corporate Sector , here in Islamabad much like the rest of the Country consists of ;
- Sole Proprietorships:
A business carried on by an individual on his own account. There is no formal procedure or requirement for setting up this kind of business.
- Companies
- Company limited by shares; or a
- Company limited by guarantee; or an
- Unlimited company
A foreign company can also setup a place of business (which includes a branch, share transfer or registration office, factory, mine or other fixed place of business) in Pakistan without formally creating a separate legal entity.
- Partnerships:
Partnership in Pakistan is the relation between persons who have agreed to share the profits of a business carried on by all or any of them acting for all. The Partnership Act 1932 regulates such concerns.
