Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, is the largest city as well as the cultural and commercial centre of Myanmar. With the recent reforms, there has been a massive influx of foreign investment in the city. The city is still developing and has huge potential.
A fusion of diverse cultures and communities, ornate glittering temples, and majestic colonial structures, some crumbling and at various states of decay, this captivating city offers truly unique experiences. Here is a quick guide to help lawyers and legal professionals effectively navigate Yangon during their visits.
Getting Around Yangon
If you are staying somewhere downtown, you can easily walk around as most everything is within walking distance. For long distance, taxis are the most convenient way of getting around the city.
Motorcycles are banned in the city so no motorcycle taxis here. Buses can be a great way of exploring the city, but they can be quite challenging for visitors.
Taxis are easily available, reliable and inexpensive. You may book a cab through the Grab app as well.
For airport transfers, you may arrange a pickup through your hotel.
We recommend getting a local SIM at the airport.
Hotels, Restaurants, Shopping & Entertainment
Downtown Yangon, which is the Central Business District of Yangon, is the most convenient area of the city to stay in. Formerly a cantonment, this area is full of heritage buildings and monuments.
You’ll find here hotels to suit every budget. There are also plenty of teahouses, cafes and restaurants, all at a walking distance.
Yangon also offers a unique shopping experience. You’ll find bustling markets located in colonial buildings with exotic tapestries, artifacts and sand & gemstone paintings and much more.
Here’s a list of places worth visiting during a short trip:
- Shwedagon Pagoda
- Sule Pagoda
- Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple
- Kandawgyi Lake
- Bogyoke Aung San Market
Myanmar Legal Resources
Before the British occupation, Myanmar was ruled by absolute monarchs and thus Kings held the supreme power in judiciary. In 1886, the British established the Court of Judicial Commissioner for the Upper Myanmar. Even after independence, Myanmar continues to apply the common law legal system as its basis.
The legislative authority is vested in the “Pyidaungsu Hluttaw” (The National Parliament).
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has the power to enact laws for the entire or any part of the Union related to matters prescribed in Schedule One of the Union Legislative List.
Any law, rule, regulation or by-law passed by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and signed by the President or deemed to have been signed are published in the Myanma Naingngan Pyantan (Myanmar Gazette).
The Gazette is published by the News and Periodicals Enterprise (NPE) under the Ministry of Information of Myanmar. It also annually publishes laws, rules, regulations or by-laws enacted in respective years under the title of “Myanmar Laws” in both Burmese and English.
The Independent Lawyers’ Association of Myanmar (ILAM): It is Myanmar’s first national independent professional organization of lawyers. Since March 2014, a national Steering Committee of lawyers from every state and region has been working with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute to design and establish ILAM according to best practice for bar associations and to the needs and priorities of Myanmar’s legal profession.
ILAM was organized on 19 January 2016 and officially registered on 28 November 2016.
Top Law Firms in Myanmar
Following are few of the top law firms of Myanmar:
- DFDL, Myanmar
- Kelvin Chia Yangon
- Myanmar Legal Services
- ZICO Law
- SCL Law Group
Legal Events in Myanmar
Asia Law Portal promotes legal events in the Asia-Pacific Region on our blog and widely followed social media channels. For more information please contact us.
Follow Asia Law Portal get more news and updates on recent and upcoming legal events in the Asia-Pacific legal markets.
