We are a full-service law firm and, consequently, our practice encompasses a wide range of areas – ranging from criminal and civil litigation to banking and finance law. As such, it is not a simple task to compile an exhaustive list of all our practice areas, but we have provided a sample of our major areas to give you an idea of the type of work we do. Click the tabs below to learn more about our practice history in these areas.
Banking and Finance Law
Our attorneys’ experience in banking and finance law includes advising companies on both equity and debt financing transactions, acquiring financial licenses for companies under the Financial Institutions Act, registrations with the Guyana Securities Council, drafting and preparing legal documentation for financing needs. Our attorneys also have experience with this in other Caribbean jurisdictions, including Trinidad and Tobago, where they have worked to structure mutual funds and advise banks on financing transactions.
Corporate, Contract and Commercial Law
We handle all aspects of the incorporation process for both local start up companies as well as foreign companies incorporating subsidiaries in Guyana. We file articles of incorporation and by-laws, register the company and its directors for tax, issue shares as well as other actions. We also prepare all types of contracts for companies, including Consortium/JV Agreements, Mining Agreements, Lease Agreements, Partnership Agreements, Power Purchase Agreements, and a wide variety of other Agreements for every type of business transaction.
Energy, Mining, Oil and Gas Law
We represent some of the largest energy and oil and gas companies in Guyana. We are the lawyers for Guyana Shore Base Inc. and have been from the inception. We have assisted with all aspects of their establishment and continuing operation in Guyana. We also have represented solar and electricity companies including Standby Power Engineering Company (SPECOM) as well as Power Producers and Distributors Inc (PPDI). We are also the attorneys for some of the largest gold mining companies in Guyana (by annual declaration), such as Precious Metals Mines Inc and El Dorado Trading Inc. and regularly prepare mining agreements and assist with the applications for claims.
Trade & Investment Law
We are able to advise companies on international trade law matters, including their rights under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), information on tariffs and duties and withholding taxes on capital remitted abroad. We also advise foreign investors of their rights under Guyana’s legal system and provide them with options for successful incorporation of their businesses in Guyana and quickly starting up operations locally.
Tax Law
We regularly advise companies on all aspects of tax law in Guyana, including corporate tax, income tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), property tax, withholding tax, and more. We also work in tax litigation against the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Criminal Litigation
Our lawyers include some of the most highly regarded criminal attorneys in Guyana, with a wealth of experience and results. We handle all criminal matters, from extradition and narcotics offences to parking and traffic offences, in all courts in Guyana, including the CCJ.
Pro Bono Work
We have an extensive Pro Bono (from the Latin term ‘pro bono publico‘ meaning ‘for the public good‘) practice where we volunteer our legal services to assist non-profit companies, religious bodies, and other charitable and eleemosynary organizations. We have made donations to the Hugh Wooding Law School, supported homeless feeding programs and formed non-profit companies free of charge, including the ‘Step by Step Foundation’, which helps autistic children, and ‘Paws for a Cause’, an animal rights charity. We have also formed non-profit companies free of charge for churches and other religious charities.
Please contact us if you are charitable or religious organization and we’ll see if we can help.
Civil Litigation | Alternative Dispute Resolution
We handle all aspects of the Civil Litigation process in Guyana under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) 2016, and continue older matters under the former Rules of the Supreme Court (RSC). We file statements of claim, defences, counterclaims, replies, notices of application and all other documentation to take you step by step through the civil litigation process. We can also settle matters on your behalf or refer them to arbitration or mediation and represent you at same. We have handled multi-million US dollar claims and have represented some of the largest companies in Guyana, including Precious Metals Mines, Guyana Shore Base Inc, John Fernandes Ltd and many more over our decades of experience.
Real Estate, Conveyancing and Leases
We routinely carry out conveyancing transactions in Guyana, and we also represent a number of residential development projects. We also prepare lease and tenancy agreements and submit bids for land and assist with the preparation of legal and other documentation for large scale residential and commercial developments.
Public Procurement Law
We regularly advise on several aspects of the public procurement process. This includes advising on tenders, including RFPs and EOIs, as well as filing complaints with both the Public Procurement Commission and in court. We also assist with blacklisting matters. Contact us to see if we can help you.
Intellectual Property Law
We are registered as intellectual property agents (formerly designated as patent and trademark agents) with the Commercial Registry in Guyana and we are authorized to conduct business for our principals in relation to patents, trademarks and designs. We are located one block away from the Commercial Registry in Georgetown, Guyana and we regularly file patent and trademark applications for both local and foreign companies. In addition, we provide a full suite of trademark and patent portfolio maintenance services for companies, including renewals, infringement actions, and assignments.
Please contact us to learn more about our intellectual property services, including patent and trademark agent services.
Probate and Administration of Estates
We handle all aspects of the probate and administration of estates process, including will preparation, contesting wills, acting as executors/administrators, and advising on inheritance matters. Contact us for more information.
Admiralty and Maritime Law
We have acted for all of the largest shipping companies in Guyana in all sorts of admiralty and maritime matters, including the arresting of ships, legal issues surrounding the clearance of containers and cargo, development of wharves, claims for marine accidents, maritime insurance claims and more. Contact us for more information.