About this office:
We are conveniently located in Colombo with easy access to courts, governmental institutions and the financial sectors of the city. Our office is well equipped with all modern facilities required for the smooth and efficient functioning of a service oriented organization.
Our staff consists of eight lawyers and support personnel. As a small and dedicated team we derive the advantage of being able to provide personal attention, expert advice and specialized services to our clients. We also offer multidisciplinary services through selective associations with other professionals and firms providing accountancy, environmental management, marketing and IT solutions when required by our clients.
AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Aviation/Shipping:
Handling of all licensing matters in relation to shipping and aviation including the licensing of airlines, travel agents, shipping agents and air transport providers; drafting and preparation of aircraft leasing and acquisition contracts, ship charters, mortgages, bills of sale and comprehensive agreements to cover the entire spectrum of services in aviation and shipping industries including airline ground handling, catering, ship chandler and bunkering agreements; advising on claims pertaining carrier's liability, insurance and other matters in aviation and shipping with respect to international and domestic cargo and passenger operations.
Foreign Investment:
Obtaining Board of Investment (BOI) approvals in relation to foreign direct investment; providing advice in relation to Exchange Control Laws and related investment regulations; preparing relevant agreements and assisting in incorporation of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) companies; advising clients on all matters pertaining to foreign investment including tax benefits, repatriation of investments, applicable labour regulations, industry licenses/permits, employment of non nationals etc.; providing services to obtain necessary resident visas and permits for foreign clients.
Finance and Banking:
Providing advice on all banking and finance matters; preparation of necessary contracts and documentation; advising and assisting clients in obtaining loans & project funding from banks and lending institutions; conducting title searches and due diligences; preparation of documentation connected with securities for loan and financing facilities.
Taxation and Fiscal Levies:
Advising and handling all matters relating to fiscal levies, revenue and stamp duty; representing clients at administrative inquiries and judicial proceeding in the original and appellate court in relation to assessments, defaults and other issues pertaining to charging and payment of revenue and fiscal duties; advising and representing clients on all matters pertaining to taxation including income tax, corporate and business turnover taxes, Value Added taxes, customs and excise duties and other fiscal levies.
Intellectual Property:
Advising and providing comprehensive services in relation to intellectual property matters, registration of industrial designs, patents and trade marks, and acting as agents for trademarks and patents; litigation and advocacy services relating to intellectual property disputes at all levels including representation at inquiries before the Registrar General of Intellectual Property as well as original and appellate courts.
General Corporate:
Incorporation of companies, formation of associations, registration of businesses and dealing with all matters connected to same; providing comprehensive advice and services in relation to privatization projects, takeovers, corporate re-structuring, performance of due diligence exercises, advise and handling of corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Corporate and Company Secretarial:
Providing comprehensive company secretarial services for private and public companies including public listed companies; providing legal advice and assisting in all matters pertaining to listing of securities, Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) Bonus & Rights Issues for public companies including listed companies.
Corporate Licensing:
Obtaining and renewal of relevant permits, licenses and statutory authorizations for companies and businesses; advising and assisting new businesses with the licensing process prior to the commencement of the businesses; advising on consumer affairs, competition and fair trade related laws and regulations.
Environmental and Emission Trading:
Handling all legal and regulatory matters pertaining to environmental licensing processes, legal due diligences; providing advice relating to industrial environmental licensing processes and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs); advising and assisting in the regulatory processes applicable under the National Environmental Act; providing advice and documentary support in respect of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects under the Kyoto Protocol; providing comprehensive legal advice and support in relation to structuring, leveraging and financing of emission trading transactions.
Labour and Employment Law:
Providing comprehensive advice and services in relation to all employment law issues including advising and drafting employment contracts and employment procedure manuals for corporate clients; advising and representing clients through the entire spectrum of industrial disputes including, domestic disciplinary inquiries, inquiries before the Commissioner of Labour, the Labour Tribunals and appellate courts.
Property & Conveyancing:
Providing comprehensive advice and services in relation to transactions for both immovable and movable property; conducting title searches, examination of title, conducting due diligence, reporting and evaluation of encumbrances, preparation of pedigrees, title reports, deeds and documents relating to transfers, exchanges, mortgages, pledges, leases, gifts, bills of sale and other transactions pertaining to all property.
Litigation/Arbitration:
Handling and managing the total range of litigation services including pre-litigation settlement procedures, dispute settlement mechanisms, commercial arbitration and litigation in both original and appellate court; preparation of documentation; representing clients in the original and appellate courts; representing clients at commercial arbitrations and before other statutory bodies including judicial, quasi judicial and administrative tribunals.
Law Firm Affiliations/Alliances: We maintain several informal alliances and selective associations with other professionals and firms providing accountancy, environmental management, marketing and IT solutions, with the objective of providing high end multidisciplinary services to our clients when so required.