Practice Areas
Scope of Practice and Brief Details of Major Assignments handled in recent years
Property Law
The firm acts on behalf of many concerns and individuals, regarding the vetting, preparation and perfection of all documents relating to property transactions throughout Nigeria, including acquisitions and divestments. Legal assistance has also been rendered to private property development and construction concerns on a retainer basis. From time to time, we have been called upon to participate as part of the team, for special infrastructural and property developments projects. We have also been involved in legal documentation as well as the management of both residential and commercial properties all over Nigeria, including high-end luxury flats, houses, office buildings, warehouses, car park spaces and so forth. We consider ourselves proud experts in this field of law.
Company Law/Commercial Law/Foreign Investment And International Trade Law
The firm has been involved in the negotiation and conclusion of several International Agreements, including Joint Venture, Agency, Technical Assistance, Sale, Consultancy, Share Purchase Agreements, Shareholders’ Agreements, Letters of Intent, Non-disclosure Agreements and so forth too numerous to mention.
Specifically, with regard to foreign investment and divestment, we have offered legal services at start-up stage and subsequently ensured that our clients followed relevant statutes and regulations. We have also maintained a good working relationship with the relevant government ministries and bodies.
The firm has been involved in matters to do with importation and exportation as well as proceedings relating to questions of loss/short landing of goods and damage to the ship, hull and so forth arising out of contracts of carriage of goods by sea, as well as inspection and certification issues.
Banking Law and Corporate Finance Transactions
We have prepared various loan, security and collateral management documentation as well as proffered legal opinions and conducted due diligence investigations in most relevant areas. We have participated in the project financing of several companies on a retainer basis. We are experienced in matters of banking regulation and financial institutions’ statutory compliance and we have a good relationship with the department of Banks and other Financial Institutions of the Central Bank of Nigeria. In 2004, on a Public Offering of Shares, we acted as Solicitors to the Offer for Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.; the bank was one of the top four in 2004. In court, in addition to recoveries and other banking litigation, we have successfully represented and discharged our Clients from involvement and liability in Garnishee proceedings, respectively.
Information Technology Law
We are very competent in matters of Information Technology Law as it applies to its surrounding intellectual property, contract, outsourcing and labour issues. We are also sufficiently knowledgeable on matters to do with its spin-off statutory and regulatory issues. The Founding Partner has an LL.M qualification in Information Technology Law
Labour Law
The firm considers itself an expert on labour matters. In addition to advising on master and servant matters, we have had direct dealings with trade unions, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, the Industrial Arbitration Panel and the National Industrial Court, in resolving disputes.
Insurance Law
The firm has handled the insurance portfolio of one of its high-net-worth clients over the past few years and is fully conversant with various types of policies (up to 14) as well as negotiations and claims, which were undertaken to cover the exposure of the said client.
Family Law
The Founding Partner has over the years given legal advice on Family Law matters and is a strong proponent and implementer of the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State 2015 (as amended). The Founder and Senior Partner has served in a part-time capacity as a Family Court Assessor of the Lagos State Government since 2016. She is versed in Family Law Mediations and has participated as a Resource Person at several knowledge-sharing events on this subject.
Succession Law (Wealth Transfer Practice)
Understanding that it is important to tidy up one’s affairs prior to one’s demise, the firm has advised and assisted numerous persons on succession matters such as drafting of Wills and processing Letters of Administration/Wills and other Probate matters.
Debt-Recovery And Litigation
We handle commercial and non-commercial litigation. Debt-recovery being a forte of ours, we have played a key role in winning court actions involving debts as well as in detinue and damages, for numerous parties and organizations, including UAC Restaurants, GM Nigeria Limited and the Tractor and Equipment Division of UAC PLC involving huge equipment, such as generating sets and outstanding hire charges.
Mediation and Arbitration Practice
The Founding Partner is a Certified Mediator of the Lagos Multi-door Courthouse and has acted as a Mediator on numerous occasions between parties, where long-standing disputes in various sectors of the economy, have been amicably and expeditiously resolved. The Founding Partner and some Associates have also attended Mediation and Arbitration sessions as Mediation/Arbitration Advocates on behalf of Clients.
Legal Advisers
We have worked for private and corporate clients both nationally and internationally and have also acted as external legal advisers to the following organisations and concerns, over the years:
Union Bank of Nigeria Plc., United Bank for Africa Plc., Intercontinental (now Access) Bank Plc., Guaranty Trust Bank Plc., Bank of Industry, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, National Oil & Chemical Marketing Company Plc. (now Conoil), Nicotec (Italian) a sister company to Cedar Eagle Limited in the oil and gas field, Texaco Limited (now MRS), UAC of Nigeria Plc., GM Nigeria Limited, Lever Brothers of Nigeria Plc. (now Unilever), SGS Inspection Services Nigeria Limited (an affiliate of SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance S. A. of Geneva, Switzerland), Bemil Nigeria Limited, DYS Trocca Valsesia & Co Ltd. In recent years, we have developed a growing clientele involving high net worth closely held companies and family businesses. We have done pro bono work for some concerns including a foreign embassy wanting commercial information for the use of foreign investors wishing to establish business in Nigeria, part of which information was subsequently posted on their website. We also do pro bono work in our areas of practice, for several individuals, who typically cannot afford legal fees.
Company Secretarial Practice and Board Advisory Services
The firm has acted as company secretary to several concerns, including a multi-national based in 141 countries worldwide, one of the top security companies and a construction company in Nigeria. Our responsibilities have included attending Board and Annual General Meetings, share capital issues, shareholder agreements, filing of returns as mandated by the relevant statutes and regulations, maintaining the companies’ registers and statutory books and liaising with auditors and other corporate governance issues. With specific reference to board advisory services, we provide such services to the NGO sector as well as several companies in the private sector.
