Dotse@Law

Immigration services of all types 

Dotse@Law is a full-service law firm that advises and provides innovative and solution-oriented consultancy services to clients in corporate and commercial areas such as mining and mineral law, debt recovery, industrial and labour law, international trade and investment, property and real estate transactions, petroleum, oil and gas, intellectual property, patents and trademarks, corporate banking, private equity, securities, mergers and acquisition, tax advisory services, business support services, aviation and maritime law.

The Firm is also highly competent in civil and criminal litigation as well as Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, such as Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration.

We aim to produce work to the highest standards, and we pride ourselves in our responsiveness and seamless delivery of client services. We are determined to help our clients embrace change, expand into new markets and to navigate the ever-more complicated regulatory frameworks.

LITIGATION (CIVIL/CRIMINAL/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Litigation is a very complex and time-consuming process in Ghana demanding patience and a robust strategic approach. Dotse@Law is handling litigation matters throughout Ghana including the Superior Courts of Ghana. Our Lawyers are members of the Ghana Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK. Our litigation team is adept in effectively handling the following categories of cases:

• Civil Litigation including recovery cases;
• Corporate Litigation; and
• Criminal Litigation
• We handle litigation arising out of the following:
• Civil Suits, including recovery suits and suits of various other nature.
• Corporate & Commercial Disputes.
• Contractual Dispute.
• Consumer and Service related disputes.
• Trade Mark/ Patent/ Copyright/ Design Infringement.
• White Collar Criminal Matters including fraud etc.

Dispute resolution in various judicial and quasi-judicial tribunals/forums including at National Company Law Tribunal, Appellate Tribunals, Tax Tribunals, Competition Commission, Electricity Tribunal, Telecom Disputes Tribunal, Designated Authorities and other adjudicatory bodies.

Our team of lawyers are competent in handling the most complex civil dispute such as Suit for Recovery of Money, Suit for Damages, Mandatory and Permanent Injunctions, Declaration Suits, Commercial and Contractual disputes, Eviction Suits, Property Suits, Employee/Employer claims, etc.

In addition, Dotse@Law ’s litigation team regularly handles a variety of issues ranging from recovery of payments, consumer laws, employment law, product liability, medical negligence, environmental litigation, construction disputes, matrimonial matters, disputes involving contracts and property, IP-related litigation including trade secrets and brand protection on the internet, infrastructure and telecommunications, taxation, etc.

International & Domestic Arbitration: We also have significant competence in conducting arbitration proceedings and well informed of all the key institutional rules, including those of the LCIA, ICC, HKIAC, SIAC, and ICSID, as well as the UNCITRAL

Rules.

Mediation & Conciliation: We actively advise and represent clients in matters undergoing mediation or conciliation proceedings.

EMPLOYMENT LAWS AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

Dotse@Law ’s Employment/Labour Laws practice covers broadly the following services:

1. ​Preparation of Work Regulations / HR Manual / Staff Handbook / Standing Orders: Drafting and documentation of conditions of service, social benefits, rules and regulations, code of ethics, disciplinary and grievance matters, leaves, benefits, and various other policies.
2. Conducting Audit / Due Diligence/ Compliance Review of Labour Laws: Inspection of records, highlighting discrepancies, and advising remedial measures.
3. Preparation of Employees Code of Conduct, Sexual Harassment Policy, etc.: Drafting a policy/ manual/ code of fair ethics and good conduct applicable to employees at the workplace and outside the workplace for strengthening the image/brand of the company and minimizing the risk of violation of the applicable laws. We also assist companies in framing suitable policies and procedures to prevent and deal with sexual harassment of women employees in the workplace.
4. Advice on Social Security and Insurance Benefits: Advising on Social Security Laws and compliance requirements as well as various social security issues and providing assistance to the management for complying with health and safety issues.
5. Severance and Retrenchment Laws: Advising management on various policies regarding Ghanaian retrenchment laws and compliance thereof, wrongful dismissal, and handling redundancy claims.
6. Social Benefits: Advising on the Maternity Benefit Act for ensuring compliance of the provisions of maternity and other benefits to the women employees. We also help clients by advising and drafting of anti-harassment policies. We also advise Clients on various legislations relating to Bonus, Gratuity, Employees State Insurance, Provident Fund, etc. to ensure compliance of the provisions envisaged therein.
7. Contracts: Advising and drafting business transfer agreements wherein employees are transferred to another company, drafting of Employment Contracts, Retainership Agreement, Termination Letter, Probation Clauses, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Confidentiality Agreement, Secondment Agreement (inbound/outbound), etc.
8. Contract Labour and Regulations: Advising on registration of establishments, maintenance of registers and other records, hiring of contract labor, licensing of contractors, and ensuring compliance with the applicable laws. We also advise management to ensure compliance with applicable provisions relating to welfare, health, safety, and conditions of service of contract labor.
9. Trade Union Laws and related activities: Advising the management in handling and negotiating with trade unions, laws applicable, and their compliance thereof.
10. Workplace accident and fatal accident compensation Law: Advising the management on the employer’s liability (civil and criminal) for compensation payable to an employee involved in an accident fatal or otherwise and ensuring compliance with applicable laws.
11. Factories Law: Advising the management on registration and licensing of factories, health and safety safeguards to be maintained, and welfare and other such conditions of service and ensuring compliance with the applicable laws.
12. Environment Laws: Advising the client on National and International treaties and legislations. Pollution Control in any environmental medium, construction-related environmental issues, environmental implications on the acquisitions and/ or sale of business and regulatory compliances. Counseling the client on issues in relation to eco-auditing and eco-assessment. Assisting in obtaining environmental clearances for infrastructure projects as well as environmental audits.

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Family law practice 

Dotse@Law is a full service law firm that advises and provides innovative and solution-oriented consultancy services to clients in corporate and commercial areas such as mining and mineral law, debt recovery, industrial and labour law, international trade and investment, property and real estate transactions, petroleum, oil and gas, intellectual property, patents and trademarks, corporate banking, private equity, securities, mergers and acquisition, tax advisory services, business support services, aviation and maritime law.

The Firm is also highly competent in civil and criminal litigation as well as Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, such as Negotiation, Mediation and Arbitration.

We aim to produce work to the highest standards, and we pride ourselves in our responsiveness and seamless delivery of client services. We are determined to help our clients embrace change, expand into new markets and to navigate the ever-more complicated regulatory frameworks.

REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION

Real estate is the world's largest asset class and our work for organizations active in the sector, whether they’re lenders, borrowers, investors, developers, or occupiers, gives us a deep understanding of the industry and the way it operates.

Real estate deals are becoming ever more complex and with the introduction of the Real Estate Agency Act 2020 (Act 1047) and the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), housing project developers as well as agents have to comply with new rules as prescribed and the Firm can assist in the registration process as well as development and planning of projects and construction, risk identification and appraisal, representation and liaising with regulators and Government authorities, tax, finance and re-financing, securitization, real estate investment fund formation, structuring and joint ventures, and real estate mergers and acquisitions.

Dotse@Law provides comprehensive services in all aspects of property and real estate transactions including title due diligence, sale-purchase, leasing, construction-development, mortgage, and litigation in respect of industrial, commercial, and residential property. Besides, serving clients on the traditional sale and purchase transactions, our Firm has multifaceted areas of real estate practice which include the following:

1. Entry-Level Strategy Planning: Entry-level legal advice and structuring of FDI for individual foreign investors, foreign companies, WOS, Foreign Institutional Investors, and NRIs/PIOs.
2. Location & Site Analysis and Title Due Diligence: Legal Assistance for finalizing the most favorable/preferred location and other allied searches including vetting of documents and verification of title.
3. Due Diligence: Carrying out thorough client-specific and client-specified (in particular instances) Due Diligence and similar exercises before advising clients.
4. Legal Risk Identification and Appraisals: Identification of legal risks and arriving at appraisals through experts for real estate transactions, development projects, and infrastructure projects.
5. Finance and Re-financing: Legal assistance and advice for arranging project finance and also for arranging re-finance on existing projects.
6. Auctioning/Bidding: Legal assistance and advice for auctioning, bidding, and contesting for deals.
7. Representation and Liaising with Government Authorities: For securing various clearances from various Government authorities.
8. Tax Structuring and Planning: Legal advice in structuring taxation strategy for Real Estate Projects (Income, GST, etc.) and Tax Planning for the same.
9. Transactional Compliance: Assistance in mandatory legal compliances for various transactions.
10. Joint Ventures and Joint Developments: Advice on structuring domestic as well as cross-border joint ventures and Joint Development Agreements.
11. Real Estate Legal Advisory & Litigation: Our Firm is adept in handling advisory and litigation in real estate-related projects including the following work:

• Lease-related Legal Assistance and Administration.
• Construction and Development of projects and related contracts.
• Complete legal procedural advice for regular Pre/Post Purchase/Sale and all relevant documentation including, Issuance of Letter of intent, Public Notice, Agreement-to-Sale, Sale Deed, etc.
• Appointment of Broker, Project Manager, Architect, Interior Decorator, Certified Surveyor, Certified Valuer, Civil Contractor, and other Contractors and Sub-Contractors for the entire/part transaction/deal/project.
• Dispute Resolution and Litigation including Landlord/Tenant Proceedings: Dotse@Law’s Litigation Practice Group handles, represents, and advises client concerns in litigation and Dispute Resolution on a case-to-case basis vis-à-vis Landlord/Tenant, Buyer/Seller, Lessor/Lessee matters.

LITIGATION (CIVIL/CRIMINAL/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Litigation is a very complex and time-consuming process in Ghana demanding patience and a robust strategic approach. Dotse@Law is handling litigation matters throughout Ghana including the Superior Courts of Ghana. Our Lawyers are members of the Ghana Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK. Our litigation team is adept in effectively handling the following categories of cases:

• Civil Litigation including recovery cases;
• Corporate Litigation; and
• Criminal Litigation
• We handle litigation arising out of the following:
• Civil Suits, including recovery suits and suits of various other nature.
• Corporate & Commercial Disputes.
• Contractual Dispute.
• Consumer and Service related disputes.
• Trade Mark/ Patent/ Copyright/ Design Infringement.
• White Collar Criminal Matters including fraud etc.

Dispute resolution in various judicial and quasi-judicial tribunals/forums including at National Company Law Tribunal, Appellate Tribunals, Tax Tribunals, Competition Commission, Electricity Tribunal, Telecom Disputes Tribunal, Designated Authorities and other adjudicatory bodies.

Our team of lawyers are competent in handling the most complex civil dispute such as Suit for Recovery of Money, Suit for Damages, Mandatory and Permanent Injunctions, Declaration Suits, Commercial and Contractual disputes, Eviction Suits, Property Suits, Employee/Employer claims, etc.

In addition, Dotse@Law ’s litigation team regularly handles a variety of issues ranging from recovery of payments, consumer laws, employment law, product liability, medical negligence, environmental litigation, construction disputes, matrimonial matters, disputes involving contracts and property, IP-related litigation including trade secrets and brand protection on the internet, infrastructure and telecommunications, taxation, etc.

International & Domestic Arbitration: We also have significant competence in conducting arbitration proceedings and well informed of all the key institutional rules, including those of the LCIA, ICC, HKIAC, SIAC, and ICSID, as well as the UNCITRAL

Rules.

Mediation & Conciliation: We actively advise and represent clients in matters undergoing mediation or conciliation proceedings.

PRIVATE EQUITY, VENTURE CAPITAL AND FUNDS

In this era of strict commercial compliance, private equity funds and private companies must comply with a myriad of increasingly complex regulations. From fund formation to structuring and documenting complex deals, our Private Equity Practice counsels and assists in the entire spectrum including structuring and making

equity investments, negotiating bridge and debt financing for portfolio companies, structuring follow-on investments and disposing of investments through private or public offers for sale.

We represent private equity players in their formation and fund raising activities as well as with all phases of their venture investment activities. We also represent emerging companies who seek venture capital business. Our funds practice team advises domestic and offshore private investment funds, including private equity funds, venture capital funds, real estate funds and mutual funds on all aspects of fund organization, structuring and offer a broad array of legal know-how to support the formation and ongoing operations of our fund clients. It is the combination of our

corporate, leveraged finance, securitization, mezzanine, and high-yield and full range of other finance expertise that makes us unique.

With a dedicated team as well as close links with our Finance, Corporate and Tax practices, we can quickly assemble and provide local and industry focus with international perspective to provide practical, integrated legal advice for all our clients' capital markets activities.

Our advice covers the whole financing life cycle, including:

1. Conducting a legal due diligence exercise in the context of the disclosure to be made by the issuer in the Red Herring Prospectus/ Information Memorandum/ Listing Circular/ registration statement etc.
2. Assisting the issuer company to comply with all listing requirements including overseas in case of ADR/GDR/ FCCB/ Euro Notes.
3. Advising clients on issues relating to the raising of debt/ issuance of equity / equity inked instruments including the Ghanaian regulatory approvals required.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Dotse@Law has expertise in Merger & Acquisitions (M&A) practice area and the Firm and its partners have acted for a number of Ghanaian and multinational corporations. The firm advises its clients on all legal and regulatory aspects of M&A. Our Firm offers a core team of professional experts comprising of considerably experienced M&A lawyers, chartered accountants and company secretaries who are dedicated to providing expected level of professional services on a timely basis. Dotse@Law ’s core M&A Practice Group is assisted by experts from other related key areas such as employment laws, environment regulations, antitrust/competition law, intellectual property, real estate and taxation etc. Our M&A Practice Group is well adept in handling the following important aspects of M&A transactions for its clients:

1. Due Diligences: We conduct extensive Due Diligences, both from legal and commercial perspectives, in order to ascertain the assets and liabilities of the target company/business/asset, based on the underlying records. This includes visiting data rooms, undertaking extensive review of the relevant documents for the relevant past period, conducting interviews with personnel of target company/business and preparing comprehensive DD reports for clients.
2. Risk Identification, Analysis & Mitigation: Dotse@Law ’s lawyers identify risks involved (legal, financial as well as commercial) in the proposed transactions. This activity involves determination of any contingent liabilities, pending litigation, incomplete documentation or reporting, any pending commitments of the target company not recorded in the books of accounts etc. The Firm then advises clients on possibility of formulating an appropriate risk mitigation strategy from legal and regulatory points of view and suggests remedial measures and/or steps to rectify the shortfall or deficiencies on the part of the target company, in complying with the statutory requirements.
3. Approvals: We offer adequate professional expertise and experience in drafting Scheme(s) of Arrangement under the Companies Act and obtaining approval from concerned Court(s) /Tribunals, in case the client undertakes a ‘court approval’ route of merger/de-merger. In addition, we actively assist clients in obtaining necessary approvals from government agencies, administrative ministries and other government/statutory authorities in M&A transactions wherever such approvals are required.
4. M&A Documentation: Counsel at our Firm have considerable experience in structuring and negotiating the relatively complicated transaction documentation involved in M&As, including Schemes of Arrangement, Project Finance Documentation, Asset Purchase Agreements, Business Transfer Agreements, Share Purchase/Shares Subscription Agreements, Shareholders Agreements, Joint Venture Conveyance and Mortgage Documents, Franchise Agreements, Technology/IPR Agreements, License and Assignment Agreements, etc. The Firm also provides end to end legal support in negotiating and finalization of the documents required to close the deals.
5. Closing of M&A Transactions: The Firm has a team of experts who negotiate and provide end to end legal support in closure of the M&A transactions, including reviewing and advising on closing documents.
6. Transaction Taxes and Stamp Duty Advice: Our M&A team also include tax experts to advise clients on tax planning and other related issues. Stamp duties may pose significant costs on M&A transactions and our team of experts is adept in advising clients on stamp duty laws.
7. Post-Closing Activities & Compliances: We also advise with respect to post closing compliances including drafting and filing of the necessary documents before the concerned body and in case of requirements sending intimations required under the various contracts.
8. Management & Operational Support: Dotse@Law has vast experience in advising clients on the managerial and operational controls including methods of acquiring and exercising management control, representation on Board and management, etc. Dotse@Law practices utmost strict internal code with respect to conflict of interest and confidentiality expected in handling M&A transactions.

PROJECT FINANCE & BANKING AND FINANCIAL LAWS

Large-scale projects are subject to a range of challenges, including structuring and financing issues, government regulations; construction and other contractual issues; local law coordination and other elements. We provide business, strategic and cultural advice in assisting our clients in structuring, negotiating and documenting the full array of project and financing agreements tailored to each client's needs.

Our lawyers collectively have considerable professional experience with regard to projects finance from acting as legal adviser to financiers and developers of projects and the preparation and negotiation of the financing documentation, inter-creditor arrangements and trust and retention documents, to the carrying out of due diligence on the security assets, project contracts and preparing and negotiating securitization and project finance documentation. We provide regular service and advice on all types of commercial, financial and other banking transactions, including negotiating loan agreements and other documentations to leading corporations in Ghana and abroad.

INSOLVENCY AND RESTRUCTURING

Ghana has enacted a new law to regulate Insolvency, Bankruptcy  and Restructuring. The newly enacted law repeals the winding up and liquidation proceedings under the Bodies Corporate (Official Liquidations) Act, 1963 (Act 180).

The Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Act 2020 (Act 1015), complete with the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), will introduce a new era in the Ghanaian business environment in which creditors, employees and shareholders’ interests are adequately protected and private enterprises are ensured a safe transition of the business.

The Firm has a team of qualified Insolvency Resolution Professionals and lawyers who offer strategic advice to corporate debtors, creditors and other stakeholders during the insolvency proceedings and provide professional services required during the process and represent them in court/tribunal proceedings. Our experienced lawyers can handle complex cases involving companies with distressed assets both from the legal and the business side in an effective manner.