Working with an Iranian Law Firm from Abroad
How international companies and Iranians living overseas instruct lawyers in Iran: communication, documents, powers of attorney and practical cautions.
Who this chapter is for
Two groups of clients regularly instruct Iranian lawyers from outside the country. The first is international businesses: companies selling into Iran, protecting a brand there, recovering a debt from an Iranian counterparty or considering a local presence. The second is Iranians abroad who need help with property, inheritance, family matters or a dispute at home. Their needs differ, but the practicalities are much the same.
Communication and language
Iranian courts, registries and government bodies work in Persian, so your lawyer will handle filings and correspondence in Persian. Your own communication with the firm can be in English or another language you agree on. Ask whether advice and key documents will be provided in English, and whether translations of Persian documents are included in the fee.
Agree on practical rules early: who your contact is, how quickly you can expect a reply, how updates will be sent, and how to reach the firm urgently. Time zone differences are manageable when expectations are clear.
Documents, legalisation and translation
Documents created or signed outside Iran, such as corporate resolutions, certificates of incorporation or powers of attorney, usually need to be legalised before Iranian authorities will accept them, and translated into Persian by an official translator. The exact route depends on the country where the document was issued and the authority that will receive it.
Before you sign anything, ask your lawyer for a precise list of the documents required, the form each must take and the order in which they should be prepared. Getting this right the first time is the single largest saving of time in cross-border work.
Powers of attorney
Many steps in Iran can be taken by your lawyer on your behalf under a power of attorney, which spares you from travelling. Make sure the power is drafted to cover what is actually needed, no more and no less, and that you understand what it allows. A well-drafted power of attorney is specific about the matter, the acts authorised and, where appropriate, its duration.
Sanctions and compliance
International clients should consider their own sanctions and compliance obligations, which depend on where they are based and how payments are made. An Iranian law firm advises on Iranian law; for questions under the laws of your own country, you may need your home advisers as well. A competent Iranian firm will understand this and coordinate with them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a lawyer in Iran without travelling there?
In many cases, yes. Instructions, advice and documents can be exchanged remotely. Where a step requires a representative in Iran, your lawyer can usually act under a power of attorney.
Do documents from abroad need to be translated?
Generally, documents for use before Iranian authorities must be in Persian, and documents signed abroad usually need to be legalised first. Your lawyer should confirm the exact requirements for each document.
How do international clients usually communicate with an Iranian law firm?
By email for instructions and documents, and by video call for discussions. Agree at the outset on language, response times and the frequency of updates.
Speak with the team behind this guide
Describe your matter in a few lines. We will tell you whether we can help, which kind of lawyer it calls for, and what the next step would be.
Write to info [at] iranlawfirms [dot] comConsultation details