CHERRYFIELDS & CO. is a client-oriented Commercial Practice with a reputation for offering quality services in a thoroughly professional and confidential manner, and in a conducive environment.  Our client base is primarily Nigerian, West African, British, and American.  Contacts are available upon request.

Primary practice areas

Environmental Law

The Firm has a growing environmental law practice, giving advice to clients on issues including the procedure for preparing and concluding environmental impact assessment reports and environmental audit reports. We work to maintain cordial relations and a good working relationship between our clients and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Media & Entertainment Law

This is a growing area and one which this firm has established a major presence.  We advice on copyright law; negotiate artists’ management agreements, licensing and sublicensing contracts, publication and syndication rights; and advise on the various other issues that impact the media and entertainment business.

 

Intellectual property registration, watch, enforcement& litigation

Intellectual property – IP – is one of a successful business.  In Nigeria, IP rights are well defined and protected.  As a result, we are involved in trademark, patent, design and copyright registration watch, and enforcement proceedings, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to maintain exclusivity or, as appropriate, to increase their returns through licensing.  We assist in negotiating and concluding licenses for the exploitation of these rights.

General Litigation

The firm has a strong and vigorous general litigation practice, headed by Gbadebo Soetan.  Gbadebo’s incisive and analytical litigation skill has been put to good use as our involvement in major litigation in the more significant areas of law show.  The practice has acted on various contract and commercial disputes, intellectual property infringement matters, insurance and marine claims, and project finance and construction disputes.  We have extensive negotiating experience, and have handled various matters referred for mediation and arbitration proceedings.

Arbitration

The firm’s principal practice area of Commercial law, Oil and Gas, Energy and Telecommunication tend to involve contractual relations, which usually demand resort to arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution procedures in advance of litigation.

Investment and Commercial

We provide a range of services to our growing list of Corporate and Commercial clients, including advice on Company Formations, Negotiating and Drafting Shareholder Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, Management, Technical Service Agreements, Share and Asset Acquisitions and Disposals.  We also provide advice on Buy-outs, Mergers, Acquisitions and Dissolutions; and give general and specialist advice on Banking and Finance matters, including Equity and Venture Capital and/or Secured Commercial Lending Transactions, Equipment Leasing Advise, Debt Collection and Dispute Resolution.

Tax

As a Commercial Practice, the provision of Tax Advise is a key part of our work.  Our Resident Tax Expert advice on relevant legislation and Tax Planning, and we assist in negotiating and contesting tax disputes.  We employ the services of distinguished tax professionals and rely upon the expertise of other financial service consultants as the need for such services arise.  We work with our consultants in advising on the structuring of transactions, the choice of tax domain, and the impact of relevant tax treaties on proposed transactions.

Oil & Gas

Cherryfields & Co. advises clients on transactions relating to project development, Mergers and Acquisition, funding (including Islamic financing), energy trading, litigation and arbitration.  We also advise on Petroleum tax and Investment prospecting and production licenses and leases; environmental impact assessment reports; petroleum product importation contract; crude oil offshore processing contracts; facilities application for crude oil lifting and exportation rights; and advise on and assists in negotiating and concluding other oil and gas agreements.

Cherryfields & Co. represents a number of major oil companies, primarily in the exploration and production sub-sector, and gives specific assistance to operators in the downstream sub-sector on licensing and regulatory practices and procedures pertaining to refining, distribution and trading.

Energy

Cherryfields & Co. currently serves as solicitors to Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc& Transmission Company of Nigeria Limited, handling an impressive number of cases for the companies and we also advise themon schemes for enhancing their revenue generation capacity.

Admiralty & Maritime

We offer services on admiralty law, maritime law, and maritime arbitration. We provide expert Legal advice on shipping dispute, marine commerce, marine navigation, salvage, maritime pollution, insurance law, mediation and international trade.

Insolvency and Corporate Recovery

The firm handles a wide range of contentious and non-contentious insolvency and corporate recovery matters.  Regular work includes acting as receiver/managers and liquidators. We have an active debt recovery and collection department, utilizing the most appropriate common law and statutory tools for accelerated recovery where necessary.  The firm has strong banking and insurance practices, which involve general advise as well as restructuring and refinancing work.  Clients include leading local and international banks and other financial institutions and major accounting firms.

Telecommunications

Nigeria’s 100 million plus population and minimal telecommunications penetration presents opportunities for investment and consequently related and specialist legal services.  On identifying the lacuna, this firm was strategically positioned and prepared for the unfolding liberalization and privatization process.  Today, we advise on licensing and frequency processes and procedures, advice on tax and investment laws; and assist in negotiating interconnection and related agreements.  We advice a wide array of private telecom operators and are involved in negotiating foreign technical and financial terms.

 

Mining

Our firm represents an impressive range of service providers within the mining industry, from exploration to trading and providing legal, licensing and regulatory advice and assistance on matters including the processing of applications for prospecting and mining rights and leases; advises on mining, tax and investment legislation; and assists in the negotiation and conclusion of mining agreement.  We have participated in the preparation and drafting of other relevant legislation.