A BREADTH OF LEGAL KNOWLEDGE

Below are just some of the key areas that we specialise in. However, with a highly skilled and experienced team, there's no problems we can't fix.  We strive to provide our clients with the most practical and commercially focused solutions for them. 

Commercial Law & Litigation

Lal Patel Bale Lawyers often undertakes complex and high-profile domestic and cross-border commercial matters and litigation including:

• Bankruptcy Litigation;
• Company Reservation and Registration; 
• Contract Disputes;
• Corporate Fraud;
• Defamation;
• Domestic and Cross-Border Litigation;
• Emergency and Equitable Relief;
• Exclusivity and Non-competes;
• Governance Issues;
• Injunctions;
• Insolvency and Restructuring;
• Investment Fiji Applications;
• Partnerships and Joint Ventures;
• Shareholder and Director Disputes; and
• Vendor Financing.

Civil Law & Litigation

Civil Law and Litigation practice areas include:

• Accident Compensation and Personal Injury Actions;
• Commercial Disputes;
• Contractual Disputes
• Debt Recovery;
• Defamation; and
• Estate Conveyancing and Litigation.

Criminal Law & Criminal Defence

Our Criminal Defence portfolio is our fastest growing area of practice. With a particular specialisation in Bail and Criminal Appeals, our practice areas also includes:

• Domestic Offences including Domestic Violence and Non-Contact Orders, Offences against Spouses, De-Facto Partners and Children;
• Driving Offences including Dangerous Driving and Driving under the Influence;
• Drug Offences including Cultivation and Possession of Marijuana, Cocaine and Methamphetamine;
• Financial Crimes, including Obtaining Financial Advantage and Money Laundering;
• Homicide and Manslaughter; 
• Sexual Offences including Sexual Assault and Rape;
• Theft and Robbery;
• Violent Crimes including Assault; and
• Working with Youth Offenders.

Employment Law

Our Employment Law portfolio includes:

• Advice on Employment Mediation and the Employment Tribunal;
• Drafting or Negotiating Employment Agreements;
• Employment Disputes and Litigation;
• Non-Compete Clauses;
• Non-Payment of Wages;
• Severance and Just Cause Matters;
• Workplace Harassment and Discrimination; and
• Wrongful Terminations.

Environmental Law

With increasing pressure to ensure that what we do and how we do it is environmentally friendly, compliant and sustainable, Environmental Law is more relevant than ever. We advise clients on issues of:
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• Advice and Opinions on Climate Change, Environmental Issues and Sustainable Practices;
• Climate Change Policy Drafting;
• Environmental Compliance and Due Diligence;
• Environmental Disputes and Damages arising from Projects or Developments;
• Environmental Litigation;
• Environmental Policy Drafting; and
• Energy and Private Power Supply.

Family Law

Our expertise in Family matters spans the width and breadth of Family Law including:
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• Adoptions and Custody Matters;
• Child Abuse;
  
• Child Abduction and Hague Convention Applications; 
• Child and Spousal Maintenance;
• Divorces, Annulments and Separations;
• Matters pertaining to Legal, Traditional and De-Facto Relationships;
• Parental Maintenance;
• Parenting Plans;
• Pre-Nuptial Deeds; and
• Property Settlements including Medium and High Net Worth Settlements.

Immigration Law

Lal Patel Bale Lawyers offers a range of Immigration related legal services, whether an individual, group or business, we can help. Our expertise includes:
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• Applications for Release of Passports in Criminal Matters;
• Bridging Visas;
• Departure Prohibition Orders (DPOs);
• Deportation and Extradition Proceedings;
• Immigration Advice and Assistance;
• Migrant and Tourist Visa Issues;
• Naturalisation and Acquisition of Fijian Citizenship; and
• Work Permits.

Land Law & Conveyancing

Our Conveyancing and Land Law Portfolio covers a wide variety of transactions including:

• Estate Transfers;
• De-Reservation of Land
• ITLTB Consents; 
• Ministerial Consents;
• Property Developments; 
• Property Transactions including Commercial, Residential and Agricultural; 
• Re-Entry of Land Matters;
• Sale and Purchase of Islands and Resorts;
• Sale and Purchase of Native Lease and Crown Lease Land; and
• Security Documentation including Mortgages, Debentures, Guarantees, Bonds, Undertaking, Charges and Liens.

Mediation & Dispute Resolution

As parties are increasingly turning away from litigation, mediation and dispute resolution processes are becoming an increasingly attractive solution. Mediation allows parties to find a practical and immediate solution that is acceptable to all involved. Parties find mediation attractive as it allows a time and cost-effective remedies to ongoing disputes, while in many instances allowing a greater chance at relationship preservation.

Notary Services

Our firm also provides Notary Public services. These services are available in our Suva office on a walk-in basis, if you require an urgent appointment or your matter is time sensitive, contact our Suva office beforehand. If you require Notary services in Nadi or Labasa, please contact the relevant office beforehand to arrange an appointment. 

Opinions, Advisory & Policy

Lal Patel Bale Lawyers are available to draft and render legal opinions, provide legal advice or review and vet your policy documents. Including updating existing policy documents and drafting new policy documents to ensure compliance with changing domestic and International Law.

Property Law & Construction Law

Lal Patel Bale Lawyers provides our clients with in-depth knowledge on the legal, financial and environmental issues associated with Property Development, Real Estate and Construction in Fiji. We work with a variety of stakeholders including developers, contractors, architects, real estate agents and numerous other stakeholders. Our firms can assist in:
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• Commercial Tenancies;
• Contract Negotiations;
• Construction Defects;
• Development Financing;
• Dispute Resolution and Mediation between Tenants, Landlords, Developers and Land-Owners;
• Issues with both Commercial and Residential Property;
• Property Development and Subdivisions;
• Property and Project Due Diligence;
• Property Transfers; and
• Sale and Purchase of Property.

Tax Law & Customs

Tax Law and Customs is a specialist niche service area provided by our firm. We work closely with clients, other law firms, accounting firms and relevant Tax and Customs bodies both locally and internationally to ensure a successful outcome. We endeavour to ensure that individuals or companies can arrive at the most favourable tax position or outcome for them. We do this by reviewing each and every client’s specific tax circumstances and needs. Our areas of practice include:

• Capital Gains Tax (CGT);
• Investment Fiji Applications;
• Tax Compliance and Tax Payment Plans;
• Tax Litigation;
• TIN Registrations;
• Tax advice and Compliance for Professional Practice;
• Value Added Tax (VAT); and
• Working with requisite bodies such as Investment Fiji and Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA).

Wills, Trusts & Estates

Do you have something of value, be it cash, bonds, property, jewellery or the family pet? Do you want to ensure your family, friends or favourite charities are properly taken care of in the event of your death? Then proper estate planning is imperative. Our firm can assist you with:
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• Estate Administration and Probates;
• Estate Planning;
• Guardianships;
• Powers of Attorney;
• Transmissions by Death;
• Trusts; and
• Wills.