For Foreign Law Firms « Griffin Law

For Foreign Law Firms

Opinions

Lawyers who advise on areas outside their competence risk not only a sizeable claim in negligence but also the possibility of being disciplined by their local bar associations.

Just as no English solicitor should seek to give advice on the laws of France, China or even the British Virgin Islands, so it is the case that no prudent attorney in the United States, Canada or Australia should give advice on English law.

Griffin Law is able to provide formal opinions and memoranda of advice on specific aspects of English law, in line with instructions received from foreign law firms.

Those firms instructing Griffin Law may be firms with whom Griffin Law has had a longstanding relationship or first-time instructions. But whoever instructs Griffin Law can be assured to receive prompt, accurate, commercially astute and cost-effective advice.

Offshore

The word “offshore” conjures up an aura of mystique and fear in the minds of too many lawyers around the world.

Some of that fear and mystique, however, is deserved – for a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

Griffin Law has considerable experience in dealing with offshore litigation, offshore companies and offshore trusts for individual, business or institutional clients and, through its network of offshore professionals, has access to the very best advice for foreign law firms and their clients in jurisdictions such as:

Bahamas;
Barbados;
British Virgin Islands;
Cayman Islands;
Cyprus;
Dubai;
Guernsey;
Hong Kong;
Isle of Man;
Jersey;
Mauritius;
New Zealand;
Panama;
Switzerland; and
Uruguay.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Litigation is at the heart of Griffin Law’s work for its clients. The firm’s team has handled cases at all levels of the judicial system, as well as in various other jurisdictions ranging from the Isle of Man to the British Virgin Islands.

When dealing with any dispute, the firm is anxious to ensure that a client – be it a claimant or defendant – comes through the dispute resolution process (be it litigation, arbitration, mediation or alternative dispute resolution) in one piece. Dispute resolution can be costly, stressful and time-consuming if not handled professionally and proactively.

With this in mind, Griffin Law has pioneered the production of Dispute Resolution Memoranda – detailed and fully costed case plans that can help litigants determine the most time and cost-efficient route, if any, to pursue.

In terms of funding disputes, Griffin Law is willing to countenance acting for clients not just on the standard, hourly rate basis but also on any of the following:

Discounted Hourly Rate – whereby instead of charging our full hourly rates we will act on a discounted rate (ordinarily between 25% and 50%), recovering an enhanced hourly rate from the other side if and when the case is successful;
Contingency Fee – we will act for your client on the basis of a percentage of any sum recovered from the other side without recourse to court proceedings (ordinarily between 25% and 40%);
Conditional Fee – we will act for your client under a “no win, no fee” agreement where, if successful, we recover a considerably enhanced hourly rate from the other side while acting for your client for nothing (although your client is, as ever, compelled to pay any court fees and disbursements as a case progresses);
Third Party Funding – we will work with you to seek funding from third parties who will all or most of your legal expenses as your case progresses in return for a percentage of any sum recovered;
Legal Expenses Insurance – provided your insurers consent and the terms of your insurance are acceptable, we will act for you with our fees being paid by your insurers.

In addition to these forms of litigation funding, we will also help your client obtain after-the-event insurance, if appropriate, so that your client is protected against the risk of being ordered to pay your client’s opponent’s costs.

Whatever the dispute, and whatever the forum, Griffin Law is the firm you want on your client’s side.

Wouldn’t you like the scales of justice tipped in your client’s favour for once?

Enforcing Foreign Judgments

The Civil Procedure Rules 1998 contain detailed and strict requirements for the registration and enforcement of foreign judgments in England’s courts.

As a specialist litigation practice, Griffin Law can advise foreign firms and their clients of the procedures that need to be followed – and the chances for recovery of any judgment debts – at any from before the commencement of proceedings in another jurisdiction to the time that that foreign judgment actually needs to be registered and/or enforced through the English courts.

Griffin Law provides prompt, commercially astute and cost-effective advice to foreign law firms and their clients. If you would like assistance in registering or enforcing a foreign judgment in England & Wales, please contact us.

Employment & Immigration

For foreign businessmen and professionals looking to live and work in the United Kingdom, the process of obtaining permission to enter the UK from the British government is convoluted.

Griffin Law, working as appropriate with overseas consulates and London-based embassies and High Commissions, can help obtain the requisite immigration clearance to allow you and your family to live and work in Britain.