Kathmandu, September 25

Bashu Dev Phulara, a New York-based Nepali lawyer said the Government of Nepal would benefit a lot if it utilised  the expertise of lawyers of Nepali origin in the USA before signing bilateral and multilateral  deals.

Phulara, who practices business, civil, criminal and immigration law in New York also said the government could utilize the expertise of scores of US lawyers of Nepali origin on issues of international diplomacy, international trade, business and environment.

“Knowledge gap can harm Nepal’s interest. Nepali lawyers in the US can help the government deal with knowledge gap by providing analysis of International laws,” he said and added that lawyers of Nepali origin in the US were ready to help the Government of Nepal.

“American government uses expertise of lawyers in virtually all international dialogues, but I do not see the Government of Nepal seeking input of experts in international dialogues that the government has with other countries,” he said and added the government should have a panel at a higher level to oversee implementation of various bilateral and international instruments that Nepal has signed.

Phulara said frequent change of government in Nepal was also one of the reasons why the government failed to implement UN instruments.

He plans to set up a firm in Kathmandu to provide service to Nepali clients, including government and non-government entities, on international relations and other issues.

Phulara also said Nepal needed to modernise its legal system on a par with the system practised in developed countries. “In Nepal, lawyers serve as notary public and they also translate documents. How can a lawyer work as a translator?” Phulara wondered.  He said if Nepal laws lacked modernisation, that could be a disadvantage for the country.

In the US, lawyers normally do not work as notary public, he added. He said Nepal needed to have at least some elements of jury system in its legal system. The US has the provision for jury system.

He said he had travelled to 30 states of the US in course of defending his clients mostly Nepali nationals. “I have provided legal aid to my clients on pro bono basis and plan to continue it,” he said and added he cherished a dream of becoming the first American judge of Nepali origin.