corporate and commercial

Legal support for individuals, startups, emerging companies, and international investors. 

 

Marc Francis Ramsay

Partner, Corporate and Commercial

 
 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW

We have extensive experience in specialised areas of public international law, including human rights, international trade, and CARICOM law.  We also have litigation experience in international tribunals including the Caribbean Court of Justice (OJ) and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING

We have been retained to draft legislation to enable states to comply with their treaty obligations, for example, drafting the 2016 Geographical Indications Bill for Belize to enable their compliance with the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

AVIATION AND DRONE LAW

We have experience engaging the Jamaican Civil Aviation Authority on behalf of clients for air operator certificate (AOC) applications. We also have unique experience concerning the application process for remotely operated aircraft (commonly referred to as "drones").

NEGOTIATIONS

We have engaged in international trade and business negotiations in the Caribbean and Latin America.  We utilise interest-based negotiating to secure the best interests of our clients and their partners.

COPYWRITING AND KNOWLEDGE COMPILATION

Our team can assist you by providing up-to-date research information on law related topics in the Caribbean and Latin America.  You can also outsource your copywriting and editing to us, and we will produce high-quality newsletters, books, magazines, and blogs on legal topics to reduce your costs and improve the efficiency of your communications.

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Ideas, tangible or not, are the most important things to protect in today’s competitive creative market. With so many channels and constantly replenishing feeds to watch out for, tracing the ownership and originality of a design, brand name, or invention needs the laser-focused eye of a trained attorney. We’ll handle the search, application, and filing process of trademarks, copyrights, and patents. And if your idea has been infringed upon, our litigation team will negotiate the best possible licensing and settlement agreements.

REGISTRATION AND INCORPORATION

Are you registering a company or business in Jamaica, Belize or Barbados? Do you want to register an offshore company. We can also draft essential contracts, including NDAs, shareholders' agreements, employment contracts, IP assignment, and so on.

CONTRACTS

Contracts serve an important purpose - to clarify responsibilities and obligations, and ensure clarity in the agreement of parties.  We draft and amend contracts of varying complexity based on your specific needs.  From shareholders' agreements to lease agreements, let us know your concerns and we can advise you.

PATENTS, COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARKS

We can register trademarks and copyrights on your behalf and advise you on the procedures and rules.  We can also draft assignment agreements, and advise you on the IP implications of other contracts you may sign.

CORPORATE FINANCING

We represent and guide investors, startups, and finance companies through various stages of the financing process. We  have excellent contacts in the industry, and a thorough understanding of the process involved in raising private equity in Jamaica.  We can advise you and assist with documents, negotiations, planning, and regulatory support.

PROPERTY AND LEASES

We can help you with buying or selling property.  It is also wise to have your lease agreements reviewed by an attorney.  Our attorneys have handled multi-million dollar construction projects.  We can draft or review contracts, sale agreements, lease agreements, and other relevant documentation.

GENERAL LEGAL ADVICE

When faced with a legal question, the best advice is to consult an attorney.  We can assist with a broad range of areas, and if we are unable to assist, we can refer you to another firm or attorney who can.

PROPERTY SALE AND PURCHASE

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Defamation & Image Rights

Maintaining the integrity of your public image is an inseparable part of your business, whether you’re a creative individual or a small company. Protecting your privacy and your public image from slander and libel is only one side of the coin; negotiating sponsorships, public appearances, and endorsements is the other. Our firm advises on both, offering litigation and dispute resolution, defamation (pre and post publication), and other image protection mechanisms—all so you can amplify and control the way you want the world to see you.

NEGOTIATIONS

Negotiating is as much an art as it is a skill.  We have trained mediators and negotiators that can help with a wide variety of issues.  Also, we can help with legal issues and disputes through negotiation or mediation. Not all matters require law suits. 

 
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In Jamaica, there are major efforts underway to accommodate more international players seeking to invest, do business, or even move their operations to a pro-business destination.