Business and Corporate Services
Setting up and operating a business comes with its challenges and risks. For clients setting or running a business in Nigeria, our sound understanding and experience of the Nigerian financial, legal, government systems provides the required guidance, advice and other legal services needed to negotiate the business and legal risks involved in running a business. We provide strategies to make sure our clients are compliant regardless of the industry the client operates in.
As specialists we provide business advice and services to international companies wishing to do business in Nigeria. Compliance with legislation such as Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 may be challenging to companies. We provide strategies to make ensure compliance regardless of the industry the client operates in.
We advise and provide legal services in the following areas:
- Company formation and management
- How to set up and do business in Nigeria
- How to maximize foreign investment in Nigeria
- Transfer of foreign equity holdings and technology into Nigeria
- How to obtain trade permits, residents permit and expatriate quotas
- Incorporation of companies
- Takeovers and mergers of companies in Nigeria
- Winding up and receivership
- Taxation and allied matters
- Provision of comprehensive management and administration facilities
- Accountancy, tax compliance and full secretarial services
Post incorporation, Swift & Moore can act as legal secretaries to file annual returns and other documents at the Corporate Affairs Commission and deal with general compliance issues.
How our ‘one-stop’ approach saves you time and money
A typical example of the one-stop service Swift & Moore offers meant we assisted a client to invest in Nigeria for the first time by:
- incorporating the company,
- obtaining corporate offices and residential accommodation for staff,
- getting expatriate quota and residence permits and
- obtaining all licenses and approvals necessary for the successful launch of the client’s business in Nigeria.
By making use of Swift & Moore’s services in all these related areas, the client made a cost saving of 40%, minimized delays and met the agreed launch date.
Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
When things go wrong – going to court and resolving disputes
Litigation in Nigeria is often slow and cumbersome. It can also be expensive and continue for long periods of time. These difficulties and hurdles can be and are overcome by experienced lawyers who utilize the rules and procedure to achieve their clients’ objectives in the litigation. Swift & Moore has significant expertise and experience in litigation so clients can rest assured their matters are being handled by the best advocates with a view to conclusion within the shortest possible time.
We encourage clients to seek legal advice before embarking on their business ventures and operations in order to avoid unnecessary expenditure and the exposure of staff to legal problems.
Alternative Dispute Resolution – when legal action is unavoidable
Where litigation is unavoidable our alternative dispute resolution department uses alternative dispute resolution methods to avoid expensive litigation in court or at arbitration. We represent clients in all their areas of legitimate commercial operation and litigation arising from those operations. We will prepare briefs that will thoroughly analyse the instruction and brief the client accordingly.
As clients have often committed large funds to their operations and enterprises this firm encourages using the law to build up understanding and trust. We believe that conflicts need to be contained or resolved amicably. Where clients are involved in disputes we will promote and initiate alternative dispute resolution methods to avoid expensive litigation in court or at arbitration.
Personal and Family Practice Areas
Swift & Moore also offers legal expertise and advice on personal and family matters such as divorce, child custody, wills, succession and estate planning. We understand that these matters can be stressful and emotionally difficult, therefore we have specially trained staff to ensure that the legal aspects of these processes are handled as sensitively as possible. If you need to know about litigation in Nigeria on these issues and how to initiate legal action Swift & Moore is able to help.
Real Estate, Property and Conveyancing
Helping you buy, sell, let and rent property in Nigeria
Swift & Moore offers a premium commercial and residential real estate service. Our Real Estate Department assists in the sale, purchase and lease of property in Nigeria and may advise on all the necessary legal forms and fees payable.
Our Real Estate Department offers the following services:
- Advice on the best location for the budget and purpose
- Conduct due diligence on the property/land and title at the relevant government agencies
- Obtain the required planning approvals and consents before construction
Property and Conveyancing - A service that speeds up the process
Swift & Moore offers a premium speedy conveyancing service.
The firm can:
- Prepare and perfect all documents relating to land such as powers of attorney,
deeds of assignment and agreements. - Assist in the perfection of title when title is transferred by obtaining the consent of
the state governor or other relevant authority. - Provide professional drafting and documentation to significantly reduce processing time for the governor’s consent.
Wealth Management For You, Your Family And The Future
Swift & Moore offers a comprehensive wills and wealth management service in partnership with our trusted financial advisers. The aim is to make safe and secure investments that provide steady returns to support the family.
We understand that writing a will is more than just distributing wealth to beneficiaries. We also recognize that the goals and priorities of each client are different. To this end we make available a range of professionals to ensure the client’s stated aims are met.
Wills Advisory Service: Leaving a Legacy
Making a will is often linked to a wealth management plan, so as part of its one-stop approach, Swift & Moore also offers its clients wills advisory service.
We:
- Prepare, register and keep custody of wills
- Obtain probate and letters of administration
- Administer estates
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- Wind up estates.
