Layards & Stuart is a law firm based in Colombo, Sri Lanka providing quality legal advice, solutions and representation to both local and international corporate clients. Our experience in cross-border and emerging economies gives us the market perspective to be your global partner.
The practice of the firm is all encompassing, including advice to clients from corporates, commercial and industrial sectors, governments, regulators, trade bodies and not-for-profit organisations. We provide them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise. We have also fostered and developed working relationships with leading law firms across the world. We work in close association with regulators and governmental units to keep abreast of all developments which, in turn, enables us to respond quickly to changes in the legal and regulatory environment, manage risk and to achieve business success. We are ideally placed to offer expert advice, from the letter of intent to due diligence and signing, to advice on risk management strategy that will enable our clients to strive ahead and prosper.
We understand and work together with our clients to solve the toughest legal issues in major industries and commercial centers around the world. Whether our clients are expanding into new markets, considering capital from new sources, or dealing with increasingly complex regulation or disputes, we at Layards & Stuarts can help.
Recent innovative economic policies have encouraged SAARC countries (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation which includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) to embark on a wide variety of new ventures. We have particular expertise on advising clients on the economic and fiscal reforms of these countries. We have considerable experience in advising on all investment related projects, banking and joint ventures in the SAARC countries and as such we pride ourselves on being an information resource on the laws and legal developments of the SAARC countries and being able to fully assist our clients.
Founded in 2000
50 people in their team
1.CORPORATE We regularly advise clients on major transactions involving investment funds, including their establishment, capital raisings and restructurings to enhance shareholder value. We further advise on public and private Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), disposals, demergers, joint ventures, restructurings, corporate governance and regulatory compliance, with a particular focus on complex, cross-border and emerging market transactions. Our integrated team includes experts in antitrust/competition law, funds and investment management, insurance, private equity and public policy. Our team also offers clients the combination of specialist technical and industry expertise across a vast array of sectors from financial services through to healthcare and energy & resources. We are also supported by partners in our market leading finance, capital markets, litigation, tax, pensions, employment and real estate practices. We regularly advise on all corporate disciplines, including:
2.BANKING AND FINANCE
The firm’s banking team advises banks and other financial institutions, companies and governments on domestic and international bank financing transactions across every industry, commercial, financial and governmental sector. We advise on innovative lending transactions, bank products, credit products, deal structures, and on all types of secured transactions to meet the clients’ instructions. As such, we are able to offer our clients direct insight into the sophisticated financial markets, enabling them to anticipate issues, manage the risks and succeed in their endeavours by incorporating complex financing techniques that lead the industry. We also advise sponsors, governments, construction companies and lenders on projects and project financings across energy, infrastructure, mining and telecoms throughout the world.
3.CAPITAL MARKETS
Our capital markets practice covers the full range of capital markets products and incorporates specialists in debt and equity capital markets, corporate, convertible, covered, secured, sovereign, government-linked, derivatives and structured finance, securitisation, corporate trust and agency and high yield. We advise major market participants including leading financial institutions, corporates, governments and supranational organisations as well as first time issuers and other new players in global capital markets. In particular, we offer cutting edge advice and execution on the legal, regulatory and practical aspects of domestic and cross-border equity and equity-linked offerings.
4.REAL ESTATE Our Real Estate practice ranges from specific property and related transactions to the property issues that arise in commercial transactions. Our work includes the whole range of landlord and tenant matters from the creation and disposal of leasehold interests to ongoing management issues (acting for landlords, tenants and lenders), real estate finance, advising owners, lenders, borrowers, equity investors, lead managers and others on all aspects of financing, secured lending and securitization and construction contracts, ranging from major infrastructure provision and power and energy projects to inner city development and regeneration. We also have significant expertise in structured and securitised cross-border real estate finance transactions.
6.LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION We advise our clients in cross-border litigation and international arbitration and assist and defend companies in respect of all litigation and dispute resolution matters with creditors, debtors, shareholders of these companies and other third parties. We are committed to resolving disputes as efficiently as possible and are focused on offering solutions that are practical and commercial.
10.LABOUR LAW AND EMPLOYMENT We regularly prepare employment contracts and collective agreements for our clients and particularly advise upon employee remuneration and benefits, resignations and terminations, workmen’s compensation, dispute resolution and disciplinary hearings. With an increased regulatory and governance focus, we are increasingly advising our clients on issues relating to workplace culture with regard to employment law, regulation and market practice.
