Connect with us

Law Firms

Ashitiva Advocates Ranked Among Top 8 Law Firms in Projects & Energy in Kenya

Doris Mwirigi is a Partner who was headhunted to join Ashitiva Advocates LLP from consulting for The World Bank in Rwanda on Oil and Gas related issues to help set up the firm’s Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Department.

Published

on

Doris Mwirigi, Ashitiva Advocates LLP Head of Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Practice Group

The Chamber Global Guide 2021 has named Ashitiva Advocates LLP among the top 8 law firms in the Projects & Energy Practice in Kenya. Ashitiva Advocates LLP Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Department is ranked alongside Anjarwalla & Khanna, Bowmans (Coulson Harney) DLA Piper Africa (IKM Advocates), Dentons Hamilton, Harrison & Mathews, Kaplan & Stratton, Walker Kontos and Mboya, Wangond’u and Waiyaki Advocates.

Chambers & Partners describes Ashitiva Advocates LLP as having a “robust practice group with a keen focus on oil and gas, providing expert assistance on all manner of regulatory and advisory issues in the sector.” As Ashitiva Advocates explains: “We have resident international consultants on power and renewables. We advise on the complex legal, financial and commercial issues associated with Projects, Energy, Infrastructure and Financial Services in East Africa.”

Chambers & Partners notes that the firm’s Energy Practice “provides counsel on a range of matters, including environmental reform and EPC contract negotiations, with a considerably deep practice providing expertise on the country’s oil, gas and nuclear regulatory regime.” The firm has a “particularly notable public sector practice, advising various government bodies and parastatal companies.”

At the same time, Chambers recognized Nelson Ashitiva and Doris Mwirigi as notable practitioners in Projects and Energy in Kenya. Nelson Ashitiva is the founder of Ashitiva Advocates LLP, Senior Partner and the Head of Strategy and the man who is credited with building the firm with nothing and from nothing in 2010 to where it is today. Nelson’s expertise besides energy, oil and gas includes mergers & acquisitions, capital markets, corporate/commercial transactions and investments.

Ashitiva Advocates LLP Founding and Senior Partner and Head of Strategy Nelson Ashitiva who has been recognized as one of the notable persons in the Projects and Energy Practice in Kenya.

Doris Mwirigi is a Partner who was headhunted to join Ashitiva Advocates LLP from consulting for The World Bank in Rwanda on Oil and Gas related issues to help set up the firm’s Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Department. With a Masters in Energy Policy law from University of Dundee in Scotland, and an MBA in Energy Economics, Doris is a point of reference on the sustainable exploitation of Natural Resources in Africa particularly Oil and Gas.

Doris is acknowledged by peers and clients as a leading Energy and Petroleum expert in Africa. She was sworn in as member of the Energy and Petroleum Tribunal which is established for the purpose of hearing and determining disputes and appeals in the energy sector.

Some of the Ashitiva Advocates LLP clients are in the Energy, Financial Services and Agribusiness. The firm has advised both budding start-ups & SMEs, large corporates, multinationals and government agencies.

Ashitiva Advocates LLP stands out as the exception amongst the top 10 law firms in Kenya for being neither an old legacy law firms that has been around for decades or an offshoot of these law firms started by their alumni. The firm has scaled the heights to become one of the top 10 law firms in Kenya within a decade of its founding in 2010

According to Mr. Ashitiva when he established the firm with the aim of “raising the bar” in the provision of legal services in Africa, he did not know how daunting yet fulfilling a journey it would be. He explains that the firm measures its success by the success of its clients.

One of its defining moments was when the Law Society sited it as Law Firm of the Year in the 2017-2018. This marked the beginning of local and international recognition and awards for the decade old firm.

Law Firms

A Toolkit for Customers on accessing Financial Services in Kenya

Published

on

By

By HMS Advocates LLP | info@hms.africa

Financial service providers such as banks, SACCOS and other institutions offer customers products and services that empower them to manage and grow their financial resources. As part of our Initiative to raise Financial awareness during Global Money Week, 2024 we have summarized some of the matters Customers should consider when accessing financial services:

  1. Tariffs and Commissions

As with any business, Financial Institutions charge customers for their products and services. These charges, more commonly known as Tariffs and Commissions, are levied on the Institutions offerings, and are not limited to fees charged on transactional accounts, loan accounts, credit cards and the various channels customers transact across. Financial institutions are required to advise their customers about applicable tariffs they will pay for day-to-day running of the account. Customers should be aware that it is best practice for these Financial Institutions to notify their customers at least 30 days in advance or before material account changes are effected.

  1. Loans and Change of Interest or Profit Rates

Interest Rates that are charged when a customer secures a Loan with a Financial Institution may from time to time be reviewed by their Financial Institution. In such an event the Financial Institution should inform their consumer on the change the interest rates on accounts and should provide notice in line with standard notification practice. For Islamic banking customers on the other hand term “Interest” does not apply but rather Profit and as per Shari’ah Principles, once a contract of financing has been signed between the bank and the customer, none of these parties has the right to change the profit rate, regardless of the fluctuation of rates in the market.

  1. Rights to accurate reporting and confidentiality

In as much Customers do make a lot of effort to repay their Loans there are circumstances under which some Customers have often found that their details have been inaccurately published by the Credit Reference Bureau therefore being detrimental to any future borrowings. Customers however have the right to dispute any inaccurate information published by the Credit Reference Bureau, including incomplete or inaccurate information and there are laws and regulations on how to settle these disputes.

  1. Closure or Freezing of Accounts

Some Customers may experience the closure of freezing of accounts. It should be noted that unless there are exceptional circumstances, a bank should not suspend or close an account without giving the account signatory at least a 14 day notice. However, if the Bank is required to freeze the account in compliance with statutory requirements or legal obligation, a post freeze notice should be given to the customer promptly.

  1. Reporting on Unclaimed Financial Assets

Lastly, Financial service providers such as banks are required on an annual basis to hand over to the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority any unclaimed deposits (cash, cheques, and other assets of financial value) that have not been accessed by the customer in over 2 years. Therefore, customers must ensure that they transact on their accounts so as to prevent their account from falling dormant. In conclusion, Article 46 of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) sets out laws and acceptable practices that the providers of goods and services should adopt when engaging consumers. In addition to the Constitution, the Consumer Protection Act 2012 prevents unfair business practices in consumer transactions. Both Financial Institutions as well as their customers should familiarise themselves with these laws.

About the Author: HMS Africa Advocates LLP is among the foremost innovative and full-service Law Firm in Kenya. The firm serves clients in diverse sectors and areas including Banking and Financial Sector, Real Estate and Construction, Corporate and Commercial Sectors and Litigation and Dispute Resolution. The firm  clients extend across the globe with a presence in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana and Egypt. 

This article is for general informational purposes only, it is not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact HMS Advocates LLP at info@hms.africa.

Continue Reading

Law Firms

Top 25 Law Firms in Kenya 2024: Githuku & Githuku Advocates LLP

Published

on

By

Photo Courtesy: Firm Logo.

GITHUKU & GITHUKU ADVOCATES LLP

Established in 2016| Partners: 2 | Principal Office: Nairobi

Contacts: Kose Heights, 3rd Floor, Apartment F 3.4, Argwings Kodhek Road, Hurlingham, Nairobi, Kenya.

Telephone: (+254) 725 759 887 / (+254) 723 634 410

Email: info@githukuadvocates.co.ke; githukuadvocates@gmail.com

Website: www.githukuadvocates.co.ke

Download: Githuku & Githuku Advocates LLP Profile (PDF)

The Firm

Githuku & Githuku Advocates LLP is a full-service law firm that constitutes of several advocates, legal consultants and a number of paralegal and administrative staff. The firm was established in April 2016 by the founding partners Hannah Wangui Githuku and Dianah Wanjeri Githuku. The firm’s vision is to provide legal services to all businesses, institutions or persons, to offer practical solutions to our clients and to be universally recognized as a full-service law firm.

The firm undertakes to embrace client’s needs and address them soundly by offering turn-around time, to enable them make informed decisions. The firm has a reputation for providing exceptional legal services. The firm lawyers are renowned for their commitment to excellence and for ability to find innovative solutions to the most complex of legal problems which clients recognize and value.

The firm currently has offices in the prestigious environs of Hurlingham area at Kose Heights Building 3rd Floor Suite F3.4 located on Argwings Kodhek Road, Nairobi. It has associate lawyers and consultants to enable the firm deal with matters across the country under one umbrella. The firm stands out for its resolve to provide amicable and effective solution-oriented services in a timely manner to its clients and offers the full spectrum of legal service and aid to a diverse clientelle base.

Practice Areas

Githuku & Githuku Advocates LLP offer a diversity of expertise in all areas of major practice. The firm lawyers offer a full complement of Legal Services in the following practice areas: Property and Conveyancing Law, Corporate and Commercial Law, Tax Law, Constitutional/ Administrative Law, Competition Law, Contracts Law, Labour and Employment Law, Insurance Law, Intellectual Property Law, Notarial Practice, Family Law, Administrative and Public Law, Banking and Finance Law, Energy Law, Legal and Governance Audit, Probate, Succession and Trusts, General Litigation/Alternative Dispute Resolution, Consultancy on matters of law and Entertainment Law.

Firm Partners

Hannah Wangui Githuku is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya of 15 years standing and the Partner in charge of Legal Research, Conveyancing and Commercial Department. She holds a Masters Degree in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, a Bachelors of Laws Degree from the University of Nairobi and a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and one in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Human Resource Management. She is also a qualified Tax Agent. She has extensive high-level experience in Commercial matters, Conveyancing, Civil and Criminal litigation, Company Secretarial and Preparation and Reviews of Agreements for Sale, Leases, Transfers, Charges, Discharges of Charge, Chattel Mortgages, Debentures and Registration of Documents. She has recognized as one the top 100 lawyers in Real Estate and Finance Law in Kenya.

Dianah Wanjeri Githuku is the Partner in charge of Litigation, Consultancy, Taxation and Legal Audit Department, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya of 14 Years standing, a Tax Agent, a Patent Agent, a Notary Public and Commissioner of Oath. She holds Bachelors of Law Degree from Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and is pursuing her Masters in Leadership and Governance. She has broad experience in litigation and commercial law gained working for leading firms and the legal department of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) where she prosecuted complex and high value tax cases on behalf of KRA in Commercial, Constitutional and Judicial Review Divisions and Tax Appeal Tribunal. She has vast training and exposure in negotiation, drafting and management of contract, oil and gas contracting and trial advocacy.

Continue Reading

Law Firms

Top 25 Law Firms in Kenya 2024: John Bwire & Associates

Published

on

By

John Bwire & Associates Advocates

Established in 2016

Number of Partners: 3

Number of Associates: 3

Principal Office: Mombasa

Download PDF: John Bwire & Associates Advocates Law Firm Profile

Practice Areas and Expertise

John Bwire & Associates Advocates is one of the most vibrant and well-established upcoming law firms in Kenya with rich diverse legal practices and a highly knowledgeable and experienced legal team. The firm specializes in Real estate law, International law, Matrimonial and family law, Personal injury and medical malpractice, Debt collection, Tax services, Aviation law, Commercial law, Insurance law, Conveyancing, Appellate Litigation, Law Tort and General negligence, Human rights law and practice, Employment and Labour Law and Practice, Arbitration and alternate dispute resolution, Admiralty and Maritime law and Judicial review of administrative and government action. The firm also offers specialist legal services including Patents and Copyrights, Trademarks, mining and prospecting, tax planning and establishment and registration of pension and provident funds.

John Bwire & Associates Advocates provides a comprehensive range of legal services to all its clients that spans across various sectors. The firm’s expertise spans across a number of industries and sectors, including leading corporate, banking and financial institutions, government parastatals and regulators, as well as high net-worth entrepreneurs.

John Bwire & Associates Advocates is structured into two departments – The Litigation Department which deals with all litigation and The Commercial and Conveyancing Department which deals with all non-litigation work. Clients’ work is allocated and supervised by the partner in charge of the Department in which the work is done. Where the client wishes to have a contact partner to whom all their work is referred in the first instance, the firm is glad to arrange for that.

The Firm’s Approach and Facilities

John Bwire & Partners Advocates is always driven by the commitment to ensure excellence in provision of legal services and strives to provide a complete legal and advisory solution to clients through tailormade insights and experience. John Bwire & Associates Advocates keeps close contact with clients to reman connected to them and intimately understand their individual and business legal needs to offer added value.

The firm has also built enviable connections with local regulators and accumulated wealth of experience of and insights in dealing with and handling local issues, regional and cross-border legal services in all business aspects across jurisdictions using a “one-stop shop” approach. In addition, the firm lawyers have cultivated commercial legal skills in specialist areas to serve local and international clients better at national, regional and global stage.

The has modern office facilities that include computerized word processing and accounting systems. The firm has invested to take advantage of the digital revolution and remote access and is accessible online and offline in maintaining the advocate-client relationship. The firm’s clientele entails local, regional and international businesses including listed companies, banking and financial institutions, insurance companies, private equity funds, venture capital and institutional equity investors, telecommunication companies, project developers and financiers, multilateral lenders, industrial and commercial companies, real estate developers, professional firms as well as government and public organizations.

The Firm’s People

John Bwire & Associates Advocates team comprises Managing partner and three (3) senior partners supported by 3 legal assistants and about a dozen support staff. The Managing Partner Hon John Bwire previously he worked as a partner at Kithi and Company Advocates and as an associate at the firm of Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates and the firm of Nchogu, Omwanza & Nyasimi Advocates. His practice mainly focuses on Civil and Commercial litigation in the Court of Appeal, High Court, Employment and Labour Relations Court, Subordinate courts, Business Premises Rent Tribunal and quasi-judicial bodies with a bias in land matters, labour /employment disputes, public law, banking and commercial disputes, insurance and personal injury claims, arbitration, family and succession and admiralty, maritime and shipping claims. The Other Partners of the firm are Patience Tumaini Lugo and Daniel Chokaa Muliro.

Contact John Bwire & Associates Advocates

Physical Address: Palli House, 4th Floor Nyerere Avenue

Postal Address: P.O Box 98731-80100 Mombasa

Telephone: +254 412 222 035 | +254 (0) 722 629 941

Cellphone: +254 (0) 726 003 750

Email: info@jblaw.co.ke / bwire@jblaw.co.ke

Continue Reading

Trending