Our Ethics

Professional Ethics

As licensed attorneys, BNG Legal professionals owe their clients the highest level of moral and professional behavior. In view of the complexity of doing business in a developing country, these ethical rules are codified and issued as written guidelines in order to promote and maintain a uniform ethical standard. These ethical rules are in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Lawyers Licensed with the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia. In addition to these internal rules, BNG Legal’s foreign counsels also abide by the rules of professional responsibility of the bar associations in which they are members.

I. Confidentiality

The confidentiality of information is central to the lawyer-client relationship. BNG Legal takes every precaution to protect the confidentiality of client information and matters. No employee shall, during or after termination of his employment with BNG Legal (except in the proper course of his duties or with written consent), divulge or make use of any secrets, copyrighted material, correspondence, or other confidential information. No employee shall in any way use such information for financial or personal gain.

An employee who possesses confidential information from a client is prohibited from communicating such information to other members of staff who do not require such information in discharging their duty.

Business and financial information about any client may be used or made available to third parties only with prior written consent of the client.

II. Conflicts of Interest

BNG Legal will not undertake any new client in which there is a conflict of interest with an existing client. Any possible conflicts will be discussed with the Managing Director before new work is accepted.

Where employees have a financial interest in a client, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, shareholder, creditor or debtor, such an interest must be disclosed immediately in writing to the Managing Director.

Before making any commitment, employees are to discuss possible part-time employment or other business activities outside working hours with the Managing Director. The written approval of the Managing Director should be obtained before the employee embarks on part-time employment. Approval should be granted only where the interests of BNG Legal or its clients will not be prejudiced.

III. Unofficial Government Fees

BNG Legal employees will never pay an unofficial government fee for a service that is contrary to Cambodian law. However, in accordance with Cambodian custom, standard fees to expedite normal procedures are permissible.

IV. Misuse of Position

Employees must not use BNG Legal’s name or facilities for personal advantage in political, investment or retail purchasing transactions, or in similar types of activities.

V. Integrity of Records and Transactions

Transactional records, accounting records and reports must be complete and accurate. Employees should never make entries or allow entries to be made for any account that are false or would obscure the true nature of the matter, as well as to mislead the true authorization limits.

All records and computer files, including client matters, financial statements and potential client information, must be accessed and used only for the management-approved purposes for which they were originally intended.

VI . Complaints

At BNG Legal, our client management philosophy aims to prevent problems before they occur.

We urge clients who have any concerns to raise it with one of the firm's partners as soon as possible. If needs be, the issue can be referred to our internal Complaints Committee, in which a lawyer - uninvolved in your file – will consider the matter and report back to you directly.