Methodology

BRICS+ Legal Index and Doing Business BRICS+ Research

The BRICS+ New Economy & Legal Infrastructure Center (registered in Dubai) is conducting a large-scale research of the legal environment and new economic opportunities of BRICS+, MENA, LATAM, GCC, Asian-Pacific countries – "BRICS+ Legal Index".

The research will result in a ranking of leading legal consultants – "BRICS+ Legal Index", as well as the Guide "Doing Business BRICS+" – an overview of opportunities for foreign investors, the legal environment, judicial system, specifics of investment, conclusion of trade contracts and transactions, protection of intellectual property and organization of financial flows in each jurisdiction of the project.

The project will help participants of international economic relations to better navigate in the regions which are of interest for partnership when implementing projects and to help find partners to support international projects and protect business interests.

The methodology of the research is based on data submissions and in-depth interviews of partners of leading local law firms in 8 regions of the world [Link to the regions of the research].

The results of BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business Research will be published on the BRICS+ New Economy & Legal Infrastructure Center website https://neweconomy.expert/research/.

Project operator of BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business BRICS+ research

The BRICS+ New Economy & Legal Infrastructure Center is an international institute and networking platform registered in Dubai. It is a non-profit organization committed to promoting legal research and scholarship. The Center also provides a platform to bring together lawyers and academic researchers to work together on research projects.

Who supports the research

The BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business BRICS+ studies are supported by the following partner organizations:

[logos of the organizations supporting the research]

Please click on the logos to access more information about our partners or to learn how they can help you succeed in opportunity-rich foreign markets.

Background of the BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business BRICS+ Research

Entering new international markets is an increasingly desirable goal for many companies, as expanding the geography of services allows them to diversify their business and reduce the risks of dependence on one region and geopolitical situation on the whole.

The main trend noted by economic reviews of the IMF, UN, JP Morgan, World Bank, as well as a variety of trade and economic departments of countries in 2023-2024 is that global economic and investment activity is shifting towards emerging markets. Currently, according to expert outlook, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East are among the most promising and dynamically developing regions of the world. In addition, many states are implementing global regulatory reforms to protect economic interests, digital sovereignty and technological independence, and attract investors. This creates the preconditions for a closer look at these regions and prompts us to explore the opportunities that the countries offer for business development and trade.

Now more than ever it is essential to obtain information on what legal means are available to foreign trade participants and investors at the level of national jurisdictions to build the integration process and ensure access to expert legal advice.

Legal advisors who have been involved in numerous cross-border projects are best-informed on the latest trends in their regions, and their knowledge and capabilities are of value to international business. The study will serve as a bridge between countries and help to understand the complex realities of a changing business situation and international legislation.

The aims of BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business BRICS+ Research

Providing those who are a part of foreign economic integration process with access to information about reliable local legal advisors who have a proven track record of supporting cross-border projects and are able to effectively protect the interests of foreign investors.
Providing an overview of opportunities for foreign investors, the legal environment, the court system, specifics of investment, conclusion of trade contracts and transactions, protection of intellectual property and organization of financial flows in each jurisdiction covered by the study.

Doing Business BRICS+ Guide

The Doing Business BRICS+ Guide is intended to provide international businesses with reliable information on the specifics of the legal and economic environment in the regions of greatest interest for trade and investment in the context of shifting economic ties.

The information is contributed by law firms, leading legal advisors in regional markets, who are involved in providing advice on foreign economic activities, actively interacting with investors, and contributing to changes in local legislation. In addition, economic reports of state agencies and international organizations will be used in the work on the Guide.

The Guide will be distributed at international exhibitions, road shows, conferences, trade missions and chambers of commerce, companies considering engaging in foreign economic activities.

BRICS+ Legal Index Research

The BRICS+ Legal Index is a ranking of leading law firms/law offices/law assotiations on countries and legal sectors.

The BRICS+ New Economy & Legal Infrastructure Center will rank regional legal advisors and identify reliable legal partners for business based on the analysis of projects, cross-border work capabilities, having a professional legal team, international clients, and on their performance.

The methodology for identifying the best lawyers involves submissions and in-depth interviews with partners and practice heads of law firms in 8 regions of the world. The responses from the interviews and the submissions are equally valid for the rankings. In addition, the rankings will take into account the opinions of law firm partners about the leading lawyers in each country in various areas of law. A law firm may be included in the ranking based on the reasoned recommendations of its peers.

Industries and regions of the BRICS+ Legal Index research

The study will cover countries from 8 regions of the world that are of the greatest interest to international investors according to the following criteria: economic potential for international trade and investment, potential for the development of new economies and organization of financial flows.

LATAM
MENA
Africa
Asia-Pacific
India
China
Turkey
CIS

BRICS+ Legal Index Research Areas

BRICS+ Legal Index Research will recognize and rank leading local legal advisors in the following areas:

Foreign economic regulation (foreign trade, customs law, international contracts)
Real Estate (purchase/sale/construction)
Migration issues (labour and migration law)
Corporate law (investment/purchase/sale of business)
Venture capital
Taxation (including international taxation)
Banking and finance (account opening, banking operations support)
Cross-Border Dispute Resolution
Commercial Arbitration
Intellectual Property Protection
GR

BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business BRICS+: Who can take part

The project is open to law firms/law offices/law assotiations in the regions of LATAM, MENA, Africa, Asia-Pacific, India, China, Turkey, CIS.

Participation in the research will provide legal advisors with access to business representatives around the world, allow them to demonstrate their experience and capabilities in supporting cross-border projects, and provide visibility in the global scale.

The mandatory condition is that the advisor should have proven experience in implementing cross-border and in-country projects with the participation of international business, and should have recommendations from peers - leading lawyers of the country.

To participate in the project, you should fill in the application form or be interviewed by the analysts of the BRICS+ New Economy & Legal Infrastructure Center.

Application form [link]

After receiving the application, the representatives of the law firm will be contacted by the organizers of the research and agree on the most convenient form of participation in the research. They will provide the submission form for filling out, as well as agree on the time of the interview with the partners of the firm.

It is also possible to participate in the research by inviting the representatives of the BRICS+ New Economy & Legal Infrastructure Center.

The research is a non-profit project and does not require any financial contribution from the participants.

Research Schedule

To participate in the research, the law firm should provide information about the implemented projects by filling out the submission form for participation until July 15, 2025.
Interviews with law firms will take place from June 1, 2025 to August 15, 2025.
The BRICS+ Legal Index results will be presented on the website https://neweconomy.expert/research/ in September 2025 and at the BRICS+ New Economy Legal Forum‘25 in November 2025.
The Doing Business BRICS+ Guide will be published between October 2025 and December 2025.

FAQ

1. How can a law firm participate in the study and send the information?

Any law firm or legal entity practicing in the regions of the research can apply to take part in the research. The required condition is to have experience in working with international business.

To participate in the research a law firm needs to:

Apply for participation by filling out the electronic form on the website [link to the form]. Example: https://neweconomy.expert/publications/254461/. [link will be added]
After receiving the application from the organizers of the research will specify the most convenient form of participation for you: submission or interview, send the submission form and interview questions.
The completed submission form should be sent to the e-mail info@neweconomy.expert.
After receiving the submission we will send a reply "Submission accepted for consideration".
The partners' answers received during the interview will be taken into account for rating.
Completion of the submission form and responses during the online interview are equally valid for the research.

2. What form of information must be provided to participate in the research?

Two forms of participation in the research are possible:

The firm fills in the participant submission form [link], in which it is necessary to indicate statistical information about the firm and project experience. Projects are listed separately for each nomination.
The firm's partners answer the research questions during interviews with the research analysts.

After receiving the firm's application, the research representatives reserve the opportunity to contact the firm's partners to organize interviews and clarify information.

3. How many and which projects should a law firm submit to participate in the research?

We recommend submitting 5 projects in each nomination chosen by the firm. All projects should contain an international element - legal support of foreign companies and investors.

All projects submitted by the law firm should be implemented during the period from 1 January 2023 to 1 July 2025. In case the project is not completed, it is possible to indicate at what stage the project is and focus on its intermediate result.

4. Will a survey of law firm clients be conducted as part of the research?

There are no plans to conduct a survey of law firm clients.

5. How will the confidentiality of the information be protected?

All information provided as part of the research on projects and clients of law firms is treated as strictly confidential. If necessary, an NDA may be concluded.

All law firm materials are stored in our secure internal system. Our staff cannot copy, print or e-mail any materials.

You may also note on the submission form whether the information is confidential.

No information will be published or disclosed without the consent of the research participant.

6. Are you interviewing all firms that will submit to participate in the study?

Yes, we plan to interview every law firm. Based on the interviews, we plan to publish the Doing Business BRICS+ Guide.

7. Can we participate in interviews for the Doing Business BRICS+ Guide without participating in the BRICS+ Legal Index research?

Yes, law firm partners can participate only in the interview for the Doing Business BRICS+ Guide without submitting for the BRICS+ Legal Index. Your opinion will be taken into account and we will also be able to recommend your firm in the ranking based on partner responses during the interview.

8. How will the interview process with firms be structured?

Law firm partners or practice heads may participate in the interviews.

Upon receipt of the law firm application, we will agree on a convenient time for the interview and send questions in advance.

The language of the interview will be agreed upon separately with the respondent. Preferably, interviews will be conducted in English, but we have the possibility to organize interviews in other languages as well.

One representative from the firm or several (as agreed with the organizers of the research) may take part in the interview.

9. Will we be able to withdraw our application form if necessary?

Yes. We will withdraw (and delete) a law firm's application if you ask us to do so.

10. How do law firms benefit from participating in the research?

One of the main advantages of the research participants is the opportunity to present information about the firm to representatives of international business, who are interested in receiving legal advice on projects in different regions of the world.

The research participants will also get priority access to the Doing Business BRICS+ Guide. The information will be used to advise clients on building their business in different regions.

You will become a member of the international community of legal professionals and will have the opportunity to participate in forums and conferences supported by the BRICS+ New Economy & Legal Infrastructure Center (also as a speaker). In addition, you will be able to share your opinion in New Economy Legal Infrastructure (research) center publications, and the research participants will be invited to comment on them on a priority basis.

11. Why did we choose certain regions and countries for the research?

In our choice of countries for the study, we relied on economic indicators of regional development. We also conducted preliminary interviews with business representatives and officials from the countries during the BRICS+ New Economy Legal Forum in 2024. Their opinions were taken into account when selecting countries for the research. The economic rationale for the choice of regions can be found in the article about the research [link to the material]. [link will be added]

12. Will the geography of the research be expanded?

The BRICS+ New Economy & Legal Infrastructure Center follows the economic situation in the world. We will add countries to the study based on the growth of development indicators and the interest of business representatives in the regions.

13. How do you rate law firms? What indicators does the research take into account?

When evaluating the performance of a firm or department, we use a variety of criteria that include, but are not limited to:

The firm's strong capabilities to handle complex cross-border projects.
Whether the firm has successfully completed cross-border projects, projects involving international companies. Successful result of such projects for the client, fulfillment of the client's objective and significance of the project for the client's business.
Having international companies among clients.
Development of a law firm on the whole or its separate practices in local markets, participation in the legislative activity.
Having a professional legal team for realization of projects with international participation.
Investments in the development of international practice, activity in the local market.
Ability to meet client demands in a particular area - e.g. presence of regional and international offices/partner networks and connections of the firm.
Recommendations from market participants.
Knowledge of legal trends in the market.

14. If we made mistakes when filling out the submission, can we amend or update the information?

If you would like to add information to the submission or correct the information, you can do so before the deadline for data collection, July 15, 2025, by contacting the research organizers at e-mail info@neweconomy.expert. Also, if any information in the submission is missing for the research, we will inform you.

15. Will we be able to send clarifying information after answering the interview questions?

Until the research deadline of August 15, 2025, you can send any additions and clarifications to e-mail info@neweconomy.expert.

16. What is meant by the sectors of the BRICS+ Legal Index research? Which projects correspond to the branches of law?

Foreign economic regulation (foreign trade, customs law, international contracts)
1. 1. Support of foreign trade operations.2. Support for the conclusion of international contracts.
2. 3. Interaction with customs authorities.
3. 4. Advising on the application of customs law when concluding transactions.
4. 5. Settlement of disputes with customs authorities.
5. 6. Support of import and export operations.
6. 7. Support of import of property and equipment.
7. 8. Advising on the application of rates of customs duties.
8. 9. Settlement of conflicts on customs value.
9. 10. Representing clients in the EEU court.
Real Estate (purchase/sale/construction)
1. Support of transactions for the purchase and sale of real estate.
2. Support of construction projects.
3. Settlement of disputes in the field of real estate and construction, including lease disputes.
4. Supporting investment projects (greenfield, brownfield).
5. Due diligence of real estate.
6. Support of real estate lease transactions.
7. Conclusion of construction contracts.
Migration issues (labour and migration law)
1. Advice in the field of migration law.
2. Advice on obtaining residence permit and citizenship.
3. Representing clients' interests in state migration authorities.
4. Obtaining work visas and legalization of foreign workers.
5. Consulting in the field of labor and employment law.
6. Resolution of labor disputes.
7. Resolution of migration disputes.
8. Drawing up work agreements.
9. Representation of investors' interests in cooperation with trade unions.
10. Advising on salary and compensation payments.
11. Developing compliance procedures.
12. Termination of employment/ reduction in force.
Corporate law (investment/purchase/sale of business)
1. Support of mergers and acquisitions.
2. Due diligence.
3. Transactions with securities.
4. Support of investment projects.
5. Support of business M&A transactions.
6. Legal advice on the application of corporate law.
7. Supporting the setting up of joint ventures and alliances.
8. Advising on corporate governance issues.
9. Establishing investment funds.
10. Supporting business relocation and redomiciliation.
Venture capital
1. Supporting investments in startup projects and newly established enterprises by venture capitalists and private investors.
2. Corporate structuring of venture capital transactions.
3. Raising financing.
4. Corporate structuring of startup projects.
Taxation (including international taxation)
1. Advice on local tax laws.
2. Tax structuring of business and transactions, including international transactions.
3. International taxation and planning.
4. Advising on transfer pricing.
5. Advising on taxation within the framework of investment activities.
6. Resolution of tax disputes.
7. Tax declaration.
8. Tax structuring of inherited assets.
Banking and finance (account opening, banking operations support)
1. Advice and support in opening bank accounts for representatives of international business.
2. Support of banking operations.
3. Consulting and support of loans.
4. Support of financing transactions.
5. Financing of trade operations.
Cross-Border Dispute Resolution
1. Handling disputes in foreign state courts.
2. Handling cross-border disputes in international courts (e.g., the UN International Court of Justice and similar),
3. Handling cases for recognition or enforcement of foreign state court judgments in local jurisdictions.
4. Litigating in local courts in support of proceedings in foreign state courts.
5. Litigating cases involving international companies or foreign individuals in local courts.
Commercial Arbitration
1. Handling disputes arising from commercial transactions with a foreign element in international arbitrations (arbitration courts).
2. Supporting disputes in international arbitrations (arbitration courts) in foreign jurisdictions.
3. Handling international investment disputes under bilateral or multilateral investment protection agreements in international arbitrations (arbitration courts).
4. Litigating cases on recognition or enforcement in local jurisdictions of foreign international arbitration (arbitral tribunals) awards.
5. Handling other cases in local courts on facilitation of international arbitration (arbitration) proceedings (e.g. on obtaining evidence, challenges to arbitrators, etc.).
6. International investment arbitration.
Intellectual Property Protection
1. Registration of intellectual property objects, patents, registration of rights to trademarks, copyrights, etc.
2. Consulting on intellectual property protection: risk identification, due diligence, branding, franchising, etc.
3. Development of intellectual property protection strategy when international companies enter local markets.
4. Protection of technologies and know-how.
5. Development of a model of intellectual property protection in venture financing and startup projects.
6. Supporting disputes in the field of intellectual property.
GR
1. Representing the interests of international business and investors in the state authorities.
2. Work on the development of legislative initiatives and legislative drafts.
3. Support in obtaining permits to carry out activities in various spheres of the economy.
4. Examining decisions and projects for compliance with local legislation, analyzing regulatory risks.
5. Interaction with state authorities in the course of investment projects realization.

BRICS+ Legal Index and Doing Business Research

New Economy Legal Infrastructure (research) center (registered in Dubai) is conducting a large-scale research of the legal environment and new economic opportunities of BRICS+, MENA, LATAM, GCC, Asian-Pacific countries - "BRICS+ Legal Index".

The research will result in a ranking of leading legal consultants - "BRICS+ Legal Index", as well as the Guide "Doing Business BRICS+" - an overview of opportunities for foreign investors, the legal environment, judicial system, specifics of investment, conclusion of trade contracts and transactions, protection of intellectual property and organization of financial flows in each jurisdiction of the project.

The results of BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business Research will be published on the New Economy Legal Infrastructure (research) center website later this year.

Project operator of BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business BRICS+ research

New Economy Legal Infrastructure (research) center is an international research institute registered in Dubai. It is a non-profit organization committed to promoting legal research and scholarship. The Center provides a platform to bring together lawyers and academic researchers to work together on research projects.

Background of the BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business BRICS+ research

The aims of BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business BRICS+ Research

Providing those who are a part of foreign economic integration process with access to information about reliable local legal advisors who have a proven track record of supporting cross-border projects and are able to effectively protect the interests of foreign investors.
Providing an overview of opportunities for foreign investors, the legal environment, the court system, specifics of investment, conclusion of trade contracts and transactions, protection of intellectual property and organization of financial flows in each jurisdiction covered by the study.

Doing Business BRICS+ Guide

The Guide will be distributed at international exhibitions, road shows, conferences, trade missions and chambers of commerce, companies considering engaging in foreign economic activities.

BRICS+ Legal Index Research

BRICS+ Legal Index is a ranking of leading legal advisors on countries and legal sectors.

New Economy Legal Infrastructure (research) center will rank regional legal advisors and identify reliable legal partners for business based on the analysis of projects, cross-border work capabilities, having a professional legal team, international clients, and on their performance.

Industries and regions of the BRICS+ Legal Index research

LATAM
MENA
Africa
Asia-Pacific
India
China
Turkey
CIS

BRICS+ Legal Index Research Areas

BRICS+ Legal Index Research will recognize and rank leading local legal advisors in the following areas:

Foreign economic regulation (foreign trade, customs law, international contracts)
Real Estate (purchase/sale/construction)
Migration issues (labour and migration law)
Corporate law (investment/purchase/sale of business)
Venture capital
Taxation (including international taxation)
Banking and finance (account opening, banking operations support)
Cross-Border Dispute Resolution
Commercial Arbitration
Intellectual Property Protection
GR

BRICS+ Legal Index & Doing Business BRICS+: Who can take part

The project is open to law firms/law offices/law schools in the regions of LATAM, MENA, Africa, Asia-Pacific, India, China, Turkey, CIS.

To participate in the project, you should fill in the application form or be interviewed by the analysts of the New Economy Legal Infrastructure (research) center.

Application form

It is also possible to participate in the research by inviting the representatives of the New Economy Legal Infrastructure (research) center.

The research is a non-profit project and does not require any financial contribution from the participants.

Research Schedule

To participate in the research, the law firm should provide information about the conducted projects by filling out the submission form for participation between August 1, 2024 and October 13, 2024.
Interviews with law firms will take place from August 1, 2024 to October 20, 2024.
BRICS+ Legal Index results will be presented online later this year.
The Doing Business BRICS+ Guide for the eight regions of the world will be published between October 2024 and December 2024 (as the country information is processed).

FAQ

1. How can a law firm participate in the study and send the information?

Any law firm or legal entity practicing in the regions of the research can apply to take part in the research. The required condition is to have experience in working with international business.

To participate in the research a law firm needs to:

Apply for participation by filling out the electronic form on the website https://neweconomy.expert/publications/254461/.
After receiving the application form the organizers of the research will specify the most convenient form of participation for you: submission or interview, send the submission form and interview questions.
The completed submission form should be sent to the email info@neweconomy.expert.
After receiving the submission we will send a reply "Submission accepted for consideration".
The partners' answers received during the interview will be taken into account for rating.
Completion of the submission form and responses during the online interview are equally valid for the research.

2. What form of information must be provided in order to participate in the research?

Two forms of participation in the research are possible:

The firm fills in the participant submission form, in which it is necessary to indicate statistical information about the firm and project experience. Projects are listed separately for each nomination.
The firm's partners answer the research questions during interviews with the research analysts.

After receiving the firm's application, the research representatives reserve the opportunity to contact the firm's partners to organize interviews and clarify information.

3. How many and which projects should a law firm submit to participate in the research?

We recommend submitting 5 projects in each nomination chosen by the firm. All projects should contain an international element - legal support of foreign companies and investors.

All projects submitted by the law firm should be conducted from 1 January 2022 to 1 August 2024. In case the project is not completed, it is possible to indicate at what stage the project is and focus on its intermediate result.

4. Will a survey of law firm clients be conducted as part of the research?

There are no plans to conduct a survey of law firm clients.

5. How will the confidentiality of the information be protected?

All information provided as part of the research on projects and clients of law firms is treated as strictly confidential. If necessary, an NDA may be concluded.

All law firm materials are stored in our secure internal system. Our staff cannot copy, print or email any materials.