Fugar and Company

Fugar & Company has an extensive practice in this area and provides a wide range of legal services to the business and financial sectors.

We provide services such as the incorporation of companies, establishment of branches, liaison and representative offices, negotiation and drafting of various agreements, shareholders’ agreements, share transfer agreements, sale and purchase agreements, management/employment and technical service agreements, agency, distribution and licensing agreements, winding up and project documentation.

The firm also provides legal assistance in respect of the restructuring of companies, establishment of various types of businesses, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions and other forms of commercial collaboration including advice on Chapter 11 recoveries for companies.

Because of its trade liberalisation policies and its stable political climate, Ghana has in recent times, experienced an influx of foreign investors.

The firm has assisted many such investors by offering assistance with immigration related matters, acquisition, extension or renewal of work and residence permits, obtaining immigrant quotas and legal representation at inquiries conducted by the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ministry of Interior.

Fugar & Company has in recent years developed considerable experience and expertise in dealing with a wide range of labour related matters.

The firm has conducted many matters relating to the Industrial Relations Act of Ghana (now repealed), and replaced by the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and the Labour Regulations, 2007 (LI 1833) made pursuant to the Act. The Firm has handled cases involving the Trade Union Congress in connection with the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and arbitration.  It has advised foreign and domestic companies on industrial relations in Ghana and particularly, the responsibilities and obligations of the employer.

The Firm’s experience and expertise include drafting and reviewing of employment contracts, consultancy agreements and conditions of service, setting up of employee provident/trust funds, legal representation in matters relating to wrongful dismissal of employees, various forms of discrimination, redundancy, severance awards and salary claims.

The Firm has also represented clients in cases of employment disputes pending before the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) as well as employment litigation before the law courts.

The firm has also been called upon by employers to mediate in cases where strike action is imminent.

With the growing public awareness of intellectual property rights, Government’s policy has strengthened in recent years in a bid to eliminate piracy. It has also enacted new pieces of intellectual property legislation to ensure compliance with the minimum standards set by the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), currently the key international agreement promoting the harmonization of national intellectual property regimes.

The Ghana Copyright Office has also been instrumental in bringing to the fore, the legal implications of infringement and misappropriation of copyrights, trademarks and patents.

In recent times, the firm’s intellectual property law practice has expanded considerably. It offers a comprehensive range of advisory, transactional and litigation services connected with the evaluation, protection and effective exploitation and enforcement of intellectual property rights in Ghana. Fugar and Company has steadily carved a niche for itself in trademarks and patents with a significant increase in requests from all parts of the world for registration, renewals, licensing and searches and protection of these intellectual property rights.

The Firm has been involved in litigating on behalf of clients in respect of copyright infringements, representing clients at arbitrations conducted by the Copyright Office, and generally advising on Ghanaian intellectual property laws.

The Firm’s client base includes firms from Asia, Europe, North America and South Africa.

The Firm provides general legal representation and counselling in this area of law. Practice in this sector includes representation in court for adoption, divorces, reconciliation, custody and maintenance suits.

The Firm has a modest litigation department which offers advice to clients involved in litigated disputes.

Even through the bulk of litigation work involves clients on retainer, the practice extends to those who so desire.

Fugar & Company represents its clients in all significant fields of law as already indicated and represents clients in a wide range of cases spanning commercial and contract disputes, criminal matters, copyright, patent and trademark infringements, insurance claims, construction disputes, paternity suits, admiralty actions amongst others.

In handling litigation on behalf of the Firm’s clients, the Company seeks to achieve the most commercially appropriate results as far as is practicable.

The Firm also handles litigation which may arise from real property disputes or landlord and tenant arrangements.