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Joint Venture Law Firm

Registration/Authorization Procedure

  • Prior to filing application to obtain authorization of establishment of a Joint Venture Law Firm to the Ministry of Justice, registration of a Joint Venture Law Firm to the Korean Bar Association is required.
  • In order to obtain authorization for establishment of a Joint Venture Law Firm from the Ministry of Justice, a Joint Venture Participant shall file a written application accompanied by evidentiary documents prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
  • Evidentiary document shall be an original or certified copy, and shall be accompanied by a notarized Korean translation if it is not prepared in the Korean language.
  • For more information, visit the MOJ website: http://www.moj.go.kr/HP/ENG/index.do

Documents required for Joint Venture Law Firm application

Documents required
Documents Note
Application Form – Registration of Joint Venture Law Firm 1 copy Application Form – Registration of Joint Venture Law Firm
Articles of incorporation 1 copy Cf. Article 35-4 of the FOREIGN LEGAL CONSULTANT ACT
A document substantiating that there is agreement or resolution reached by Joint Venture Participants on establishment of a Joint Venture Law Firm; 1 copy Ex) MoU between Local Participant and Foreign Participant.
Document which proves that each Participant has been operating normally for at least three years 1 copy Document issued by the local Court or the bar association of the Country of Original License, which confirms date of authorization for establishment and current operating status.
Document proves both of the following: A Local Participant of a Joint Venture has at least five Attorneys-at-Law, each of whom has been in a position prescribed in any subparagraph of Article 42 (1) of the Court Organization Act for at least five years in total, and at least three of them are partners of the Local Participant of a Joint Venture. & A Foreign Participant of a Joint Venture has at least five Foreign Licensed Lawyers, each of whom has provided legal services for at least five years after being licensed as a Foreign Licensed Lawyer and where at least three of them are partners of the Foreign Participant of a Joint Venture. 1 copy Certificate issued by the representative of each Participant. - Statement concerning the number of lawyers with at least five years of experience and composition of Participant of a Joint Venture. Employment Certificate of five lawyers of each Participant of a Joint Venture - To confirm five years of work experience. Must be issued by current Participant of a Joint Venture.
Document which proves that the highest decision-making body of its Principal Office has adopted a resolution or decided to establish a Joint Venture Law Firm. 1 copy Certificate issued by each Participant.
Statement of the representative of each Participant applying to establish a Joint Venture Law Firm. (Required for each) 1 copy Including the content confirming expertise of each Participant.
Document which proves that each Participant has not received any disciplinary action under the Attorney-at-Law Act during the recent five years or criminal punishment of a fine not exceeding three million Korean Won. 1 copy Each Participant submits. Request cooperation to the Ministry of Justice, if needed.
Document which proves that the representative of each Participant has not received any disciplinary action or disposition equivalent of imprisonment without labor or any heavier punishment under the Attorney-at-Law Act (including any statute of foreign countries equivalent to this Act or the Attorney-at-Law Act) during the recent five years. 1 copy Each Participant submits. Request cooperation to the Ministry of Justice, if needed.


Obtaining authorization from the Ministry of Justice

Article 35-3 (Applications for Establishment, etc.)

  • (1) In order to establish a Joint Venture Law Firm, a Joint Venture Participants shall prepare the articles of incorporation and obtain authorization from the Minister of Justice through the local bar association at the seat of its Principal Office and the Korean Bar Association. The same shall also apply where the Joint Venture Law Firm intends to amend the articles of incorporation.
  • (2) In order to obtain authorization for establishment of a Joint Venture Law Firm or amendment to its articles of incorporation, a Joint Venture Participant shall file a written application accompanied by evidentiary documents prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
  • (3) The valid period of authorization under paragraph (1) shall be five years from the date the Minister of Justice grants an authorization for establishment.
  • (4) An application for renewal of authorization for establishment may be filed five to ten months before the valid period prescribed in paragraph (3) expires. [This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 14056, Mar. 2, 2016]

Foreign Legal Consultant Regulations