Two Afghan law firms, Kakar Advocates and Shajjan & Associates, were given top ratings in the latest Chambers and Partners’ 2020 Asia-Pacific Guide.

Chambers and Partners is an internationally-known legal directory that publishes seven regional guides every year, covering 200 jurisdictions.

All firms are ranked Band I, II, or III, with Band I being the highest ranking. Both Shajjan & Associates and Kakar Advocates were rated “Band 1” 

According to the Chambers and Partners website, law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands from 1 (highest)-6 (lowest) and “being ranked in any band is a significant achievement.” The qualities on which rankings are assessed “include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.”
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Afghan law firms rated “Band II” were: Lex Ferghana - Advocates and Legal Consultants, RIAA Barker Gillette, and Rosenstock Legal.

And those rated “Band III” were Afghanistan Lawyers International and Masnad Law Firm 

Law firms play a critical role for businesses in Afghanistan, where bureaucracy and corruption remain key challenges for this sector.
 
(This article has been corrected to include the firm Shajjan & Associates as a “Band I”-ranked law firm, and to include other named Afghan law firms as well.)