What we are about
At LEGRA we provide excellent services to our clients and it is our intention to set the quality standards for delivery that clients both local and international expect and deserve. Our objective is to perform our jobs professionally, provide practical, quick and focused legal support and let our clients concentrate on their core business. Our focus has been in the following areas – business law, investments, labour law, telecommunication, immigration, real estate, mining and oil & gas services and company secretarial services.
Corporate/Commercial Law
We provide advisory services to our local and international clients with respect to the laws of Ghana on contract formation, business investments – equity and debt financing arrangements, tax implications for business transactions, intellectual property registration and management, business entities formation, business dissolution and regulatory compliance, insurance, land and property transactions.
Natural Resources Laws
We have extensive experience in the Ghanaian natural resources laws and offer advice to both local and international clients who seek to invest in the oil and gas, farming and mining sectors in Ghana. We assist them with compliance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations pertaining to these sectors. We assist clients with their negotiations and other interactions with the regulatory agencies in the sectors such as Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Minerals Commission, Mines Inspectorate, Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Energy, Ministry responsible for Mining, etc. We have special expertise in the Oil & Gas sector, registering industry players at the Petroleum Commission, advising them on joint venture agreements, local content rules and regulations and ensuring compliance with the Petroleum industry laws, and preparing related services contracts, stability and development agreements, etc.
Labour Law and Related Issues
We provide legal and advisory support to both local and international clients on the laws pertaining to labour issues to ensure compliance with the laws, rules and regulations of employment in Ghana. We assist our international clients in immigration matters. We assist clients with their negotiations and interactions with the regulatory and other agencies such as the National Labour Commission, Labour Department, Ghana Immigration Service and relevant arms of the Trade Labour Unions.
Tax Laws
We conduct research into tax implications for business transactions.
Investment law and procedures of the Ghanaian Legal System.
We assist clients entering the Ghanaian market by advising them on the most efficient market entry strategy. We provide support in company formation, subsidiaries and branch registration and maintenance of corporate status. Land and office space lease transactions advisory support. We ensure compliance with applicable laws with respect to registrations with regulatory authorities such as the National Communication Authority, Ghana Revenue Authorities, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Petroleum Commission, Minerals Commission, Ghana Immigration Service, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bank of Ghana, Lands Registry, the Companies Registry and other Government authorities. We provide assistance on obtaining permits/approvals and licences in the relevant industries.
Company Secretarial Services
Through the firm’s subsidiary, Legra Secretaries, we offer company secretarial support and training services in conformity with applicable Ghanaian laws and international standards. We ensure that our clients are fully compliant with the requisite rules and regulations of the Ghanaian Companies Act, Partnerships Act, excuted contracts, and also the industries within which they operate. We therefore have over the period established good relations with the Companies Registry and regulators in the industries our clients operate in.
Legal Audits and Due Diligence Assignments
Legra undertakes legal due diligence and audits on businesses on behalf of our clients. We review contracts to ensure compliance with applicable laws as well as performance of contract in line with agreed obligations and responsibilities. We undertake remedial work to bring businesses in line with applicable laws and contractual terms as well as supervise clients to ensure adherence to remedial advice. We provide compliance registers to guide and ensure compliance.
Contracts
We provide contracts preparation, review and amendments in our areas of focus. Examples of contracts in our business areas are sale and purchase agreements (for shares, electrical power, mining activities related commodities and services, companies, debts, etc), share subscription agreements, share transfer agreements; share subscription liability agreements; various kinds of debt and equity financing agreements, deeds of indemnity, profit sharing agreements, share put and call options agreement, tenancy agreements, land sale agreements, memoranda of understanding, shareholders agreements, joint venture agreements, heads of agreements, term sheets for various transactions; employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, land use compensation agreements, fiscal stability and development agreements.
Reports
In view of our focus areas we provide the following services including the following to our clients – legal due diligence reports, general corporate investigative reports, company secretarial audit reports, legal opinions on transactions, reviews of laws and proposed bills.
Permits
We make applications for work and resident permits, extension of visa and multiple re-entry visas, GIPC licences, Petroleum Commission permits, prospecting and mining licenses, environmental permits and approvals, etc,.
Dispute Resolution
We encourage alternative dispute resolutions through amicable settlement out of court, mediation and arbitration to save our clients lengthy, time consuming and expensive litigation.