A Practice Built on the Long View of Franchise Law
Jaya Counsel was founded to bring principled legal counsel to the specific demands of franchise registration, structuring, and dispute resolution in Malaysia.
Back to HomeFounded in the Heart of the Klang Valley
Jaya Counsel was established in 2010 by a team of legal professionals who saw a clear need for a dedicated franchise law practice in Malaysia. At the time, franchisors navigating the requirements of the Franchise Act 1998 often found themselves working with generalist firms that lacked specific knowledge of disclosure obligations, registration procedures, and the particular dynamics of franchise relationships.
Our founders chose Kota Damansara as the firm's base — accessible to businesses across the Klang Valley and well-placed to serve clients throughout Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. From the outset, our focus has been narrow and deliberate: franchise registration, agreement structuring, and dispute resolution. That focus has remained unchanged.
Over the years, Jaya Counsel has advised both emerging local franchise systems and international brands entering the Malaysian market. We have drafted agreements for food and beverage operators, retail chains, education providers, and service businesses. We have helped franchisors register compliant systems and guided franchisees through difficult termination and territorial disputes.
Our approach has always been measured. We believe that good legal counsel means providing clarity about your position, exploring the available options, and supporting well-considered decisions — not accelerating action for its own sake.
Our Mission
To provide careful, well-considered franchise legal services that help clients understand their obligations, structure sound agreements, and resolve disputes with clarity and confidence.
Our Vision
To be the most thoughtful and reliable franchise law practice in Malaysia — one that clients return to throughout the lifecycle of their franchise system, from registration through growth and beyond.
Our Values
Clarity in communication. Honesty about outcomes. Respect for the autonomy of each client to make their own informed decisions with our support.
The People at Jaya Counsel
A small, focused team with deep experience in Malaysian franchise and licensing law.
Ramli bin Aziz
Founding Partner
Called to the Malaysian Bar in 2001, Ramli has spent over two decades in commercial and franchise law. He leads the firm's registration and compliance practice and has advised on over 150 franchise registrations with the Registrar of Franchises.
Suriya Velayutham
Senior Associate
Suriya specialises in franchise agreement drafting and commercial negotiation. With a background in intellectual property law, she brings particular depth to IP licensing provisions within franchise structures for both local and international clients.
Lim Wei Kang
Associate, Dispute Advisory
Wei Kang handles franchise dispute advisory and resolution matters. He has represented both franchisors and franchisees in mediation and court proceedings, and advises on complaints before the Registrar of Franchises.
How We Maintain Quality
Our practice standards are shaped by professional obligations, industry norms, and our own commitment to careful legal work.
Malaysian Bar Membership
All practising members of Jaya Counsel hold current Practising Certificates issued by the Malaysian Bar and comply with the Legal Profession Act 1976.
Clear Engagement Letters
Every client engagement begins with a written letter setting out scope, fees, and the basis of our retainer — so both parties understand expectations before work commences.
Current Law Research
Each matter involves current legal research using Malaysian case law databases and regulatory updates to ensure our advice reflects the applicable law at the time of engagement.
Data Privacy Compliance
Client data is handled in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010. We maintain secure document management and restrict access to client files appropriately.
Continuing Professional Development
Our team participates in CPD programmes through the Malaysian Bar and attends franchise industry forums to remain informed of developments relevant to our clients.
Responsive Client Communication
We commit to acknowledging client queries within one business day and providing substantive updates on matter progress at agreed intervals throughout each engagement.
Legal Depth in Malaysian Franchise Practice
Malaysia's franchise landscape is shaped by a distinctive regulatory framework. The Franchise Act 1998 and Franchise Regulations 2012 impose specific obligations on franchisors — from the preparation of franchise disclosure documents to ongoing post-registration compliance. These are not merely administrative formalities. They carry legal consequence, and errors in registration documentation or agreement drafting can create material difficulties later in a franchise relationship.
At Jaya Counsel, our legal work is informed by years of direct engagement with the Registrar of Franchises and the Ministry of Domestic Trade. We understand how the Registrar approaches disclosure document assessments, what commonly triggers requests for additional information, and how registration timelines typically progress. That institutional knowledge reduces delays and improves the quality of submission documents.
On the agreement side, franchise documentation in Malaysia must balance the requirements of the Franchise Act with the commercial needs of the specific franchise model. A standard template rarely serves this purpose well. Jaya Counsel approaches each agreement as a bespoke instrument — drafted for the actual operational structure, IP ownership, territorial arrangement, and business model of the client in question.
In dispute matters, our work begins with an honest assessment of the circumstances. Not every franchise disagreement requires litigation, and not every client interest is best served by an adversarial approach. We offer practical options, including direct negotiation and mediation referral, alongside representation before the Malaysian courts where proceedings are warranted. Our aim is to help clients achieve outcomes that reflect their actual interests — whether that means preserving a relationship, recovering losses, or bringing clarity to an ambiguous situation.
Jaya Counsel does not serve every type of legal matter. Our focus remains on franchise and licensing law. That focus is a deliberate choice, and we believe it is what allows us to serve our clients well.
Interested in Working Together?
We welcome enquiries from franchisors, franchisees, and international brands considering the Malaysian market. Reach out to discuss your matter with our team.
Contact Jaya Counsel