Richards & Company

Our attorneys effectively resolve disputes between parties in family and divorce matters.  We handle asset division and custody negotiations and assist in crafting agreements that work for all parties to include the children of the marriage. Our seasoned lawyers present and defend ancillary applications and divorce petitions in the Courts of Antigua & Barbuda.

The firm has built a solid reputation for representation at all levels of the Courts of Antigua and Barbuda. Clients locally, in the region, and internationally reach out to us to ensure that their cases are provided with the expertise, time, and attention needed to reach a successful outcome.

We have forged invaluable partnerships also with multijurisdictional lawyers. Our team is comprised of litigators who are highly respected and experienced with track records of winning strategies. Richards & Company has had the privilege of handling several groundbreaking cases in Antigua and Barbuda concerning complex property disputes, civil enforcement proceedings, extradition, and constitutional matters.

The firm has existing relationships with many foreign company intermediaries and corporate clients in the area of trademark and patent applications and other intellectual property practice areas.  Once you contact the firm, we guide you through all the regulatory and procedural steps to give you the best chance for a grant of protection.

The State of Antigua and Barbuda has been a signatory to the Madrid Protocol since March 17, 2000, and is one of only two jurisdictions in the Caribbean to have done so.  We have the experience to efficiently manage the process of your international registration.  Our office files your basic mark at the Antigua and Barbuda Intellectual Property and Commerce Office before selecting any one or all of the 55 countries for your international registration.  Choosing Antigua and Barbuda as the home for your intellectual property holding company is a perfect “one-stroke” solution to ensuring protection for your mark around the world.

Our work in this area requires us to robustly respond to local and international office actions as well as represent clients at Registrar’s hearings and trademark litigation matters.

Personal Injuries and Traffic matters require prompt and sustained responses in dealing with insurance companies, experts, and the Courts if the matter progresses to litigation. We have a well-developed civil practice in this area and have over the years been successful in defending and prosecuting personal injury and traffic matters or negotiating a settlement depending on the circumstances.

Our debt collection department represents, individuals, small businesses, and corporations both foreign and local resolving matters amicably where required and professionally in the shortest time possible. As the client, you benefit from our knowledge, industry experience, and technology-driven reporting. Our clients range from banks to individuals seeking solutions to bring finality to outstanding debt situations.

In today’s competitive business environment, businesses must be aware of legal issues which impact hiring, termination, and retention of staff. Antigua and Barbuda’s labour laws are designed to give clarity and to promote harmonious relations between employers and employees for the benefit of both parties. However, these laws and regulations are often misunderstood or misapplied leading to conflict situations. Our office advises and assists banks, corporations, and small businesses in relation to basic day-to-day human resource requirements. We ensure compliance with the complex employment legislative framework in Antigua and Barbuda.

Our best advice always is to implement strategies that minimize disputes and so our client teams provide legal support with collective bargaining and contract negotiations. On the other side, we also have a wealth of experience representing employees and employers in Labour Department hearings and the Industrial Court.

We are the leaders in Antigua and Barbuda in guiding companies on the legal aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Our experience both local and international includes advice and support for transactions in the aviation, hotel, telecommunications and banking industries having handled most major merger and acquisition transactions in the country. The legal team in the M&A department understands the business environment in the country and the many moving parts of these transactions. We have the competence and drive to efficiently move these matters to closing within contract timeframes. Ultimately  our firm provides a cost effective service and smooth transition  meeting deadlines.

Richards and Company brings to you over 25 years experience in the area of real estate.  We offer legal advice and guidance on all aspects of land transactions such as leases, transfers of title, purchase and sale agreements, and non-citizen’s landholding license applications. We work with a proven and experienced Citizenship by Investment partner to offer all available options for purchase. We have a cross-practice approach that allows us to give full service for all your legal transactional needs. Our real estate practice covers a wide range of client work from day-to-day to complex transactions.  Our attorneys have proven experience to provide effective representation for your large-scale and complex development projects.

We remain aware of and responsive to legislative and regulatory changes and use local market knowledge and insight to create effective solutions.