Corporate and Commercial Law
From incorporation to liquidation, JHT advises and represents clients in all areas of corporate and commercial law. Key areas include: mergers and acquisitions, structuring re-organizations, corporate mobility, contract negotiation, Joint ventures, shareholder and partnership agreements, corporate financing, directors’ and officers’ liability, insolvency, liquidation, mutual funds, reinsurance and captive insurance as well as cross border financial transactions.
At JHT, we provide advice on matters of the Nevis Business Companies Ordinance 1984 as amended 2002, Limited Liability Companies Ordinance 1995 as amended 2002, Nevis International Exempt Trusts Ordinance 1994 as amended 2002, Multiform Foundations Ordinance 2004, Nevis International Insurance Ordinance 2004 as amended 2006, Nevis Mutual Funds Ordinance 2006 and Offshore Banking in Nevis.
In addition, we offer a complete range of business entity incorporation services, including international business companies (IBCs) and limited liability companies (LLCs). We are happy work with you, your attorneys and your existing financial advisors to design and implement the strongest possible Asset Protection Trust structure.
We can also expedite the process of registration of your ship/vessel under the St. Kitts and Nevis flag.
Wills, Trusts and Estates
We undertake a wide range of work which includes the provision of complete estate planning advice, will drafting, powers of attorney, probate applications and estate administration. We also assist international clients with establishing and administering offshore trusts, private corporations and other entities designed to meet clients’ particular needs, including tax minimization, inheritance planning and offshore investment. The firm has experience in estate and trust administration and regularly acts for corporate and individual executors and trustees, beneficiaries and a variety of third parties who may have an interest in an estate or a trust.
Real Estate and Property Management
JHT offers a full set of legal services to both foreign and domestic clients pertaining to commercial and residential real estate development, financing, construction, conveyances, transfers, leases, charges, and property management, including drafting and preparation of project proposals, feasibility study reports, state-owned or public land use right assignment contracts, bid and tender documents, construction contractor agreement, mortgage contracts, sale and purchase contracts, property management contracts; obtaining construction permit, title deed; handling mortgage loans secured with land use right or construction-in-progress; participation in negotiations of development and construction; providing attestation to the signing of contracts; representation in construction project litigation or arbitration.
We provide reliable property management services whereby we arrange housekeeper, gardner and other services to home owners who reside outside of Nevis. Where property is occupied, we also arrange for bills to be paid or for rent collection.
Economic Citizenship and Immigration
For those international clients seeking to immigrate to Nevis, the firm provides advice on St. Kitts and Nevis permanent and temporary residency requirements. We also assist in the application for and obtaining of residence status through the economic citizenship or citizenship-by-investment programme.
By virtue of Chapter VIII of the Constitution of St. Christopher and Nevis and the Citizenship Act 1984, any person who make a minimum investment of US$350,000 in an approved project in the island of Nevis or St. Kitts or alternatively making a contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF, a public charity) to the amount of US$ 200,000 (for a single applicant), will be eligible to apply for Citizenship in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Intellectual Property (Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights)
JHT provides its clients with the best possible advice relating to the protection of their intellectual property assets as well as the avoidance of adverse infringement claims. We advise on transfer and protection of domain names, security interests in intellectual property, licensing, copyright infringements, franchising and related aspects. We also prepare applications to register trademarks, patents and copyright in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Legal Process Outsourcing
Our teams of enthusiastic legal professionals can assist law firms to expeditiously and efficiently serve their clients. We provide quality back office services to law firms and corporate legal departments in a timely and cost-effective manner. We provide contract drafting services including: drafting; reviewing and revising of contracts. We carry out corporate due diligence. We conduct and analyze legal research. We also provide full document review services whereby we examine and organize documents for relevance, materiality, confidentiality and privilege.
Banking and Investment
Our services cover the entire spectrum of needs any client may encounter in the process of establishing and developing banking relations in Nevis. They range from the opening of bank accounts to drafting loan and security documentation associated with complex financing transactions. We advise banks and investment institutions on legal and regulatory issues and assist foreign financial institutions in establishing offices in St. Kitts and Nevis. In addition, we advise on product development by financial institutions, and on questions relating to securities, mutual funds and hedge funds.
Foreign investment in Nevis is one of the most important practices of JHT. We advise international clients in their acquisitions and mergers in Nevis, on establishing joint ventures, wholly foreign-owned companies, investment holding companies, venture capital startups and representative offices in Nevis. We provide legal support to corporations which desire to establish new commercial operations in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, need to negotiate contracts with the Government, prepare documentation for Public Bids, obtain permits, acquire commercial licenses, or to enter into other administrative transactions.
Additionally, we help our clients exit smoothly from their investment projects, either through equity or asset transfers or through liquidations.
