When starting a new business, you have many issues to think about in order to make your business as successful as possible. For example, consider how to structure and form your business, your banking needs, and any taxes the business may owe. Business Formation People who start new businesses...
Blog Posts
What to Consider When Opening a New Business in The Bahamas
When starting a new business in The Bahamas, you have many issues to consider to make your business successful in the future. From a legal perspective, think about how you will obtain funding, whether you will have employees, and where you will choose a location. How Will You Obtain Funding? ...
The Mediator’s Role at a Mediation
When you agree to engage in a mediation, you may wonder about the mediator's role in helping you with your dispute. The mediator listens to both sides of the story, asks questions, tells the parties about the weaknesses in their positions, proposes solutions, and helps bridge the gap between p...
Why Representing Yourself in a Legal Dispute May Be a Bad Idea
When you have a legal dispute with another person or company, representing yourself may be a bad idea. While some people do represent themselves, it can lead to early defeats, problems with court rules, trouble resolving a dispute, or even dismissal of the case. Early Defeats First, self-rep...
Can Your Old Employer Enforce a Non-Competition Agreement Against You?
If your employer requests that you sign a non-competition agreement, you may wonder if the employer can enforce it against you. This depends on the content of the agreement and where the employer seeks to enforce it. What Is a Non-Competition Agreement? A non-competition agreement (also refe...
What to Do If Your Employer Requires You to Sign a Confidentiality Agreement
If your employer requires you to sign a confidentiality agreement, you may wonder why and what it means. Before you sign it, make sure you understand the effect of the agreement. What Is a Confidentiality Agreement? Your employer wants to protect its confidential information that other compet...
Signing an Attorney Fee Agreement: What You Can Expect?
When you decide to retain a lawyer, you may wonder what you can expect from signing an attorney fee agreement. Lawyers expect to be paid for their services, but they may offer different fee structures and different rates. Fee agreements (also called retainers) include other information about ...
Do You Need Your Employees to Sign Confidentiality Agreements?
If you own or run a business, you may need to have your employees sign confidentiality agreements. These agreements can protect your business's private information that should not be shared with competitors or the public. What Is a Confidentiality Agreement? A confidentiality agreement is a leg...
Legislative Drafting and the Constitution
What does Legislative Drafting have to do with the Constitution? More than you might think! In jurisdictions with written Constitutions, there is usually a “supreme law clause”. This is an express declaration that the Constitution is the supreme law of that country, and more importantly, that a...
Arbitration Versus Mediation: What You Need to Know
There are many differences between engaging in arbitration and participating in mediation that you should know. While both dispute resolution methods do not involve going to court, they are useful in different types of cases for different reasons. What Is Arbitration? Arbitration is an out-o...
Mediation Versus Going to Court: What You Need to Know
There are many differences between engaging in mediation and going to court that you should know. Mediation is an informal dispute resolution process with the goal of settling differences, while court involves constant preparation for a trial of the issues. The Parties Must Agree to Mediate ...
Arbitration Versus Going to Court: What You Need to Know
There are many differences between engaging in arbitration and going to court that you should know. If you have a legal dispute that you need to resolve, you will need to choose a venue for it. Since court and arbitration differ, understanding why to select one over the other is important. Av...
When Mediations Fail: What Happens and What to Do Next
While mediations help many people with legal disputes, they do occasionally fail. When a mediation does not go well, participants should focus on what to do next. Why Would a Mediation Fail? A mediation “failing” usually means that the people participating in the mediation do not reach a r...
When Your Business Has Financial Difficulties, What Should You Do?
When your business first begins to have financial difficulties, you should take action quickly to increase its stability. You have options such as refinancing and consolidating, or you can look to insolvency or liquidation proceedings. Assess the Financial Situation First, assess you...
Do You Need Multiple Wills? Estate Planning in Several Countries
If you have assets in multiple different countries, you may need more than one will. Your estate planning requirements could vary greatly depending on which assets you own and where they are located. Why Might You Need Multiple Wills? Lawyers may recommend that you sign multiple wills that ...
Why Your Business Needs Ongoing Legal Advice on Corporate Governance
All businesses may need ongoing legal advice on corporate governance, including operations and internal processes. While businesspeople could feel that they can handle these issues themselves, a lawyer provides more insight into the reasons behind corporate governance requirements and helps de...
Why Your Business Needs Ongoing Legal Advice about Employees
Your business might need a lawyer not only when it first opens its doors, but also for ongoing legal advice about employees. Many legal issues involving employment may arise as your business grows, especially if you have more than a few employees. Preparing Employment Contracts Most business...
Do You Need a Lawyer to Form a Business in The Bahamas?
If you would like to form a business in The Bahamas, you may not even think about getting a lawyer. Often, though, finding a business lawyer who takes care of the formalities has many benefits. What Does a Business Lawyer Do? A lawyer experienced with business matters can greatly assist in s...
Don’t Think You Need an Estate Plan? Why to Make One Now
Many people believe that they do not need estate plans, but often they actually should do some estate planning now. Estate planning can help you distribute your assets according to your wishes, protect relatives, and give you peace of mind. Distributing Assets According t...
Which Kind of Commercial Contract Do You Need?
When your business starts entering into agreements with other businesses, you should sign commercial contracts to document these agreements and protect yourself in case of a dispute. There are many different kinds of commercial contracts, and a few basic types are highlighted below. Purchase a...
Is Your Contract Enforceable in The Bahamas?
If you have a written contract for business services, you will want to make sure that your contract is legally enforceable in The Bahamas. You can enforce a contract through the court if the other party is not following the contract terms. Without a written contract or with only a verbal contract...
Relocating Your Business to The Bahamas? What You Need to Know
If you are thinking about relocating your business to The Bahamas, you can start preparing now. You may need to meet any number of legal requirements and budget for different kinds of expenses than before. Entity Choice in The Bahamas Business owners who plan to form new entities in The Baham...
Moving to The Bahamas? What You Need to Know
Moving to The Bahamas creates several questions and issues from a legal perspective. If you are making the move or have newly made a move here, you should make sure to comply with your legal obligations and understand the differences between Bahamian laws and those from your previous home. Wor...
Advantages of the Bahamian Financial Services Sector
The Bahamian financial services sector holds many advantages for people interested in investments and financial growth. From a legal perspective, The Bahamas offers opportunities for businesspersons in the areas of choice of business entity, regulation, and taxes. Entity Choice in The Bahamas ...
When Are Jury Trials Available for Cases in The Bahamas?
If you are involved in a civil court case in The Bahamas, you may wonder whether a jury trial is available. In civil court cases, only a judge presides over Bahamian court trials without a jury present. In criminal cases, though, a jury usually hears the evidence. What Is a Jury Trial? During...