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Mealtey Oeurn

Associate

Biography

Mealtey Oeurn is an associate in Tilleke & Gibbins’ Phnom Penh office, focusing on corporate and commercial matters. Her practice involves assisting international clients with all aspects of market entry, business operation, and ongoing regulatory compliance in Cambodia. She has experience working across a number of legal practice areas, including corporate affairs and licensing, commercial transactions, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, franchising, property, employment, and anti-corruption.

Mealtey holds an undergraduate degree from the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh, and a postgraduate degree from the Transnational Law and Business University in South Korea. Before joining Tilleke & Gibbins, Mealtey worked in the IP department of a major Cambodian law firm.

Experience

  • Advised a range of international clients on all aspects of market entry and operation of a business in Cambodia, including licensing and regulatory compliance.
  • Worked closely with leading multinational companies to implement effective strategies for enforcing their intellectual property in Cambodia, including filing complaints with the Department of Intellectual Property using evidence drawn from other jurisdictions, carrying out investigation and enforcement actions to prevent the spread of counterfeit goods, and working with customs officials to seize counterfeit goods at border crossings.
  • Represented clients in maintaining and defending their intellectual property portfolios in Cambodia, including filing applications and related actions for trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and patents.
ABOUT Mealtey

Practices

Corporate/M&A

Intellectual Property

Location

Languages

    Khmer

    English

Education

    LLM, Transnational Law and Business University

    LLB, Royal University of Law and Economics

Insights

September 9, 2024
The popularity of the franchise business model has been growing rapidly in Southeast Asia in recent years, with some of the world’s top brands becoming common sights in the commercial districts and shopping malls of major regional cities in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. While for most countries in this part of the world, franchising has not been explicitly mentioned in legislation, well prepared franchise business operations can comfortably adapt to each country’s regulatory framework, and the growth is poised to continue even as the global retail sector redesigns and redoubles its efforts in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. In fact, the franchise business model, which is both global and hyper-local at once, is one of the most promising solutions that entrepreneurs are turning to in their quest to overcome the challenges of the new economic reality. The Regional Guide to Franchising Law in Southeast Asia provides key, up-to-date insights into the legal frameworks regulating franchise operations in these Southeast Asian countries, and helps brand owners understand the most relevant laws, authorities, and procedures for their business. Some of the essential topics covered for each jurisdiction include considerations in negotiating and designing franchise agreements, protecting intellectual property rights, and important information on judicial and arbitral procedures should a dispute arise between franchisor and franchisee. Practitioners from Tilleke & Gibbins’ offices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam contributed to guide—not only by providing legal expertise on the laws and mechanisms applicable in each jurisdiction, but also by examining strategies for establishing and running resilient franchise operations in Southeast Asia. The full guide can be accessed as a PDF through the button below.
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March 27, 2024
Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training issued the Notification on the Compensation for Terminating an Employment Contract on March 21, 2024, clarifying the compensation due to employees upon the termination of their employment contracts. The notification outlines different requirements depending on the nature of the termination and the type of employment contract, as laid out below. Termination without Valid Reason and in Absence of Serious Misconduct If an employment contract has been terminated by an employer without a valid reason and the employee did not commit any serious misconduct as defined under the relevant article of the Labor Law, the employer must compensate the employee as follows: Fixed-Duration Contract: Wages that have not yet been paid; Unused and unpaid annual leave through the termination date; Severance payment equal to at least 5% of the wages paid to the employee during the length of the contract; and Damages for being laid off before the expiration date of the fixed-duration contract, at least equal to the wages the employee would have received had he or she completed the original contracted term of employment. Unspecified-Duration Contract: Wages that have not yet been paid; Unused and unpaid annual leave through the termination date; Compensation in lieu of notice if the employer did not give prior notice in accordance with the Labor Law; Seniority indemnity for the semester that the employee is terminated and total seniority back payments that have not been paid; and Damages for being laid off, in an amount equal to the seniority payment received during the employment contract. Termination in Cases of Serious Misconduct Employees who commit any serious misconduct as defined under the Labor Law (regardless of whether they are under a fixed-duration or unspecified-duration contract) are entitled only to the following compensation: Wages that have not yet
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July 14, 2022
On July 5, 2022, Cambodia issued regulations implementing the pension system of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). Pension contributions will begin on October 1, 2022. The implementation is detailed in Prakas No. 168 on the Procedures and Formalities for Registering Enterprises, Institutions, Workers, and Employees, and Contributions for all Persons Defined by Provisions of Labor Law (Prakas No. 168) and Prakas No. 170 on the Commencement Date of Pension Contribution for the Compulsory Contribution and Voluntary Contribution. Registration and Benefits All employees and employers previously registered with the NSSF for health and accident insurance are automatically enrolled in the pension scheme, with no additional registration necessary. Both new and existing nonregistered employers with at least one employee must register their company with the NSSF within 30 days of Prakas No. 168 entering into force or on the date of establishing the company. Nonregistered employees are required to be registered with the NSSF no later than three days from the start of their employment. The NSSF pension system features four categories of benefits: old-age pension, incapacity/disability pension, survivor pension, and funerary benefits. The amount of benefits available to an NSSF member is based on a percentage of the person’s total contributions and the period of those contributions. Compulsory Contributions The pension contribution is a joint responsibility shared equally by employers and employees. The rates of contribution will increase in steps as the NSSF pension program is phased in. The phases are as follows: Phase 1: In years 1–5, total compulsory pension contributions will amount to 4% of employee wages from the starting date of initial contribution. Phase 2: In years 6–10, total compulsory pension contributions will amount to 8% of employee wages. Phase 3: After the pension program has been in place for 10 years, total compulsory pension contributions
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January 13, 2022
Intellectual property experts from Tilleke & Gibbins were engaged by ARISE+ IPR, a regional support program funded by the European Union and implemented by the European Intellectual Property Office, to craft a series of IP enforcement guides for Southeast Asian countries, aimed at raising local awareness of the importance of IP protection. The five-year, EUR 5.5 million ARISE+ IPR program supports regional integration through IP cooperation and aims to upgrade national IP systems for creation, protection, utilization, administration, and enforcement to be in line with international best practices and standards and the strategic objectives of the ASEAN Intellectual Property Rights Action Plan 2016-2025. The guides were developed by Tilleke & Gibbins’ lawyers in cooperation with the IP offices of each participating country, and cover issues related to trademarks, industrial designs, and geographical indications. Each guide was produced in a compact leaflet form in English as well as the local language, and is considered an official publication of the respective national IP office. The guides can be accessed from the ARISE+ IPR site (under “Leaflets, brochures and booklets”), or by clicking on the links below: Cambodia: English | Khmer Indonesia: English | Bahasa Indonesia Thailand: English | Thai Vietnam: English | Vietnamese
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Awards & Rankings

October 22, 2024
Tilleke & Gibbins was named the winner in two categories at the Global IP Awards 2024, held on October 17 in London: Cambodia IP Firm of the Year Thailand Trademark Firm of the Year The Global IP Awards, launched in 2019, are compiled based on extensive research done by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) and the World Trademark Review (WTR) for their annual IAM Patent 1000 and WTR 1000 rankings, and recognize the world’s best intellectual property law firms in more than 70 countries and jurisdictions. The organizers note that “The winners are selected on the basis of a wide range of criteria relating to excellence, achievement, and market reputation, and serve as a testament to the outstanding work being undertaken by IP firms across the globe.” For more details on the awards, and to view a full list of this year’s winners, please visit the Global IP Awards 2024 website.
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September 13, 2024
The 2024 edition of the IFLR1000 Asia-Pacific rankings, released by International Financial Law Review (IFLR), highlights Tilleke & Gibbins’ continued excellence in financial and corporate transactional work. The firm has retained its strong rankings across multiple jurisdictions and practice areas, reaffirming its position as a leading firm in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, Tilleke & Gibbins received firmwide rankings in key jurisdictions, including: Thailand Banking & Finance – Tier 3 Capital Markets: Debt – Tier 3 Capital Markets: Equity – Tier 3 M&A – Tier 2 Project Development – Tier 2 Restructuring & Insolvency – Tier 3 Vietnam Banking & Finance – Other Notable M&A – Tier 3 Project Development – Tier 3 Cambodia Financial & Corporate – Tier 2 Project Development – Tier 2 Laos Financial & Corporate – Tier 2 In addition to these firmwide rankings, Tilleke & Gibbins had several standout individual recognitions, with 10 lawyers honored in the 2024 individual rankings, including new entries for John Frangos, Niti Muangkote, Santhapat Periera, and Tram Ngoc Bich Nguyen. The full list is as follows: Charunun Sathitsuksomboon – Highly Regarded, M&A, Thailand Charuwan Charoonchitsathian – Rising Star, M&A, Thailand David Mol – Rising Star, Corporate and M&A, Cambodia Jay Cohen – Highly Regarded, Banking, Cambodia John Frangos – Notable Practitioner, Restructuring & Insolvency, Thailand (new ranking) Niti Muangkote – Rising Star, Financial & Corporate, Laos; Highly Regarded, Banking & Finance, Thailand (new ranking) Saithong Rattana – Notable Practitioner, Project Development and M&A, Laos Santhapat Periera – Highly Regarded, Banking, M&A, Laos; Highly Regarded, Banking & Finance, Thailand (new ranking) Supasit Boonsanong – Highly Regarded, Project Development, Thailand Tram Ngoc Bich Nguyen – Highly Regarded, M&A, Vietnam (new ranking) To see the full set of IFLR1000 rankings for Tilleke & Gibbins’ jurisdictions, please see the Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and
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September 12, 2024
Tilleke & Gibbins has once again secured impressive rankings in the recently released Asialaw 2024 rankings. The firm has maintained its position as a top legal service provider across multiple jurisdictions, earning a total of 39 rankings in practice and industry groups, 19 of which are in the highest tiers. The firm’s performance continues to reflect its exceptional client service and legal expertise across Southeast Asia. Tilleke & Gibbins is recognized in all available categories for Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, demonstrating the firm’s strong presence across the region. In the individual rankings, 22 of the firm’s practitioners have been recognized, including three notable promotions and three new entries: Charunun Sathitsuksomboon (Thailand), newly ranked as a Notable Practitioner for Corporate and M&A. Linh Thi Mai Nguyen (Vietnam), promoted to Distinguished Practitioner for Intellectual Property. Loc Xuan Le (Vietnam), promoted to Elite Practitioner for Intellectual Property. Niti Muangkote (Laos), a new entry as a Rising Star for Banking and Finance. Prisna Sungwanna (Laos), newly ranked as a Distinguished Practitioner for Corporate and M&A and Banking & Finance. Suebsiri Taweepon (Thailand), promoted to Distinguished Practitioner for Intellectual Property and Technology and Telecommunications. Client feedback remains a key component of the Asialaw rankings, with Tilleke & Gibbins earning high praise for its responsiveness and commercial awareness. The firm’s sector-specific knowledge also continues to stand out, with clients expressing their appreciation of the firm’s understanding of their businesses’ operational contexts. For more details and to browse the full rankings, please visit the Asialaw website.
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July 19, 2024
Tilleke & Gibbins has been shortlisted for six awards at the Asialaw Awards 2024. The nominations highlight the firm’s outstanding performance and leadership in Southeast Asia’s legal landscape. The firm has received the following nominations: Regional Corporate/M&A Firm of the Year Cambodia Firm of the Year Laos Firm of the Year Thailand Firm of the Year In addition to the firm nominations, two individuals from Tilleke & Gibbins have been recognized for their exceptional contributions: Prisna Sungwanna – Laos Female Lawyer of the Year Charunun Sathitsuksomboon – Thailand Female Lawyer of the Year The Asialaw Awards celebrate the leading law firms and legal professionals across the region, recognizing excellence in practice and service. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 26. For more information on the Asialaw Awards 2024 and to browse a full list of the winners, please visit the Asialaw website.
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