Gerhard Velaj

Practice Areas

Gerhard Velaj is a Partner at Boga & Associates, which he joined in 2000.

His core practice area is arbitration, litigation and alternative dispute resolution overarching a wide range of business issues in Albania.

Mr. Velaj is a recognised practitioner and represents international clients in courts of all levels, in cases related mainly to real estate, banking and finance, taxation, competition, intellectual property and all sorts of other commercial/corporate disputes. He is a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR.

Additionally, he has performed in a number of legal due diligences regarding real estate development issues and property disputes.

Mr. Velaj is a contributing author to reputable international legal publications. He is commended a “Top Ranked” Lawyer by international legal directories like the Chambers Europe 2023, The Legal 500 2023, and highly praised as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation Europe 2022.

Professional Memberships

Albanian Bar Association (2001)

Commission on Arbitration and ADR | ICC Albania

Publications

The International Comparative Legal Guide - “Enforcement of Foreign Judgments 2018”, Albanian Chapter;

The International Comparative Legal Guide - “Litigation and Dispute Resolution”, 2015, 2009 Edition.

The International Comparative Legal Guide – “Real Estate”, 2011 Edition, Albania Chapter.

Corporate INTL Magazine - “Real Estate Focus”, 2009 and 2010 Editions.

Global Legal Group - “Competition Litigation”, 2009 Edition.

Global Legal Group - “Litigation and Dispute Resolution”, 2009 Edition.

ILO -“Amendment to the Civil Procedure Code”, 2008 Edition.

Languages Spoken

Albanian, English, Italian

Work Highlights

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Representing the client in the Albanian Courts with regard to dispute resolution matters in employment law, contract law, real estate law and construction law.

Assisting and representing EBRD on debt collection, debt recovery matters.

Raiffeisen Bank in financial obligations court cases.

EBRD, ACROMAX GmbH, SCAI S.p.A, ProCredit Bank Sh.A, Coca Cola Bottling Shqiperia Shpk., in court cases on copyright and contractual obligation matters.

Banka Kombetare Tregtare. Representing the client in the Administrative Court on different court cases related to tax issues against Albanian Tax Authorities.

Procredit Bank. Providing legal assistance and representing the client in the Administrative Court on several court cases related to tax issues against Albanian Tax Authorities.

Actavis International Limited regarding a court case against Alfarmakos Shpk.

Air BP Albania Sh.A, Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd, Eurotech Cement Shpk, and Elbasan Cement Factory Shpk in tax court cases.

Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) in court case proceedings.

Fushe Kruja Cement Factory in the court case against Port Authority of Durres.

Representing Anheuser-Busch, LLC on ongoing basis in several trademark infringement cases against Budejovicky Budvar which are brought before the Albanian Trademark and Patent Office as well as court of all levels in Albania, regarding the enforcement of rights attached to the well-known trademark “Budweiser”.

Devoll Hydropower. Providing legal assistance and representing the client before the Albanian courts in court cases with regard to damage relief, tax obligations and employment issues.

Deutsche Gesellcchaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbelt (GIZ) Office in Albania. Representing the client in the Albanian Courts with regard to dispute resolution matters in employment law and administrative law.

Swisscontact Foundation, Branch in Albania. Providing legal assistance and representing the client with the Albanian courts on several court cases related to contractual obligations and employment issues.

Air BP Albania. Providing legal assistance and representing the client in the Administrative Court on several court cases related to tax issues against Tax Authorities and court cases related contractual obligations and damage relief.