Paul Ratnayeke Associates

The Commercial, Corporate and Financial department covers various practice areas including:

Aviation

The firm represents a number of Airlines in Sri Lanka and corresponds with global law firms that are leaders in the Aviation industry, utilising the expertise and comprehensive knowledge our partners possess in the regulations regarding:

• Aviation
• Cargo and passenger claims
• Litigation
• Insurance and reinsurance
• Coverage issues
• Claims and defence
• Route licensing
• International Air transport regulations
• Bilateral aviation agreements
• Aircraft purchase
• Financing leasing
• Employment issues

Insurance

The firm possesses a broad practice in all areas of insurance, with special expertise in:

• Reinsurance
• Non-contentious insurance
• General claim insurance

Shipping

At the firm, we provide legal advice to our clients who are involved in the Marine and Shipping industries, on the following:

• Marine litigation and arbitration
• Admiralty matters
• Arrest and release of ships,
• Bank security enforcement
• Cargo claims and P&I work
• Charter party
• Contractual disputes with underwriters
• Documentary credit
• Disposal of cargo
• Contracts of affreightment and charter parties

Financial

We offer our expertise in various areas of the financial sector including:

• Advising on loan agreements
• Letters of credit
• Bank and Corporate guarantee
• Bills of exchange
• Security matters
• Taxation
• Auditing

Commercial

The firm specializes particularly in facilitating the legal necessities involved with business transactions such as:

• Management contracts
• Employment agreements
• Equipment and service contracts
• Export sale agreements
• Onshore and offshore supply agreements

The firm provides all forms of dispute resolutions, including mediation, arbitration and negotiation of settlement terms.

The firm comprises of two litigation departments providing litigation services to both local and foreign clients, including individuals and corporates from the private and public sectors.

The firm acts as instructing attorneys in connection with all civil and criminal litigation and retains senior counsels having the expertise in the relevant legal field.

The conveyancing department yields a comprehensive service and extends legal assistance towards its clients in the form of:

• Advice regarding the acquisition and sale of properties
• Carrying out searches on title and drafting title reports
• Execution of deeds, affidavits, power of attorneys and agreements

The real estate practice at the firm focuses on a wide range of transactions including: 

• Purchase, sale, financing and development of commercial, industrial, hotel and residential properties
• Leasing and sub leasing office, retail and other commercial space
• Guidance on structuring real estate transactions, property management permits, and all other regulatory requirements

We work through P. R. Intellectual Property Services (Private) Limited– an associate company of the firm, to provide the following services:

• Carrying out trade mark/logo searches in the Department of Intellectual Property in Sri Lanka.
• Registration of trademarks, patents and industrial designs
• Renewal of trade marks, patents and industrial designs
• Drafting and executing deed of assignment for trade mark
• Drafting and filing of written submission for refused trademarks and all other related work

Employment

The firm helps navigate through complications by providing expert legal advice and practical solutions in various areas regarding employment including:

• Advice on all aspects of labour law
• Represents clients in negotiating settlements on collective labour conditions
• Advice on employee benefit plans, share option covenants and confidentiality clauses
• The contracting- out of services

The firm also extends it’s services to corporate executives and directors who seek advice in negotiating service conditions or amicable severance of services.

Immigration

At the firm, provide holistically crafted services, including:

• Assisting overseas clients in dealing with entry rules and procedures
• Variations and extensions of visas
• Obtaining clearance for employment and business