Practice Areas

Ship Finance And Transactional Matters

Our firm acts for a wide variety of ship owners, charterers, operators, lessees, lessors, management companies, shipping funds, logistics companies, and others assisting with the registration of all kinds of ships in Panama. We assist with the obtainment of any technical and other documentation required by said ships as well as serving as liaison to the Panama Maritime Authority and other entities.

We have been consistently ranked and recognized as the leading firm for ship registration in Panama registering more ships than any other firm.

Our technical staff assists clients to resolve any issues their vessels may encounter.

We are consistently required to negotiate and draft all legal documents for the sale and purchase and registration of vessels, including but not limited to, Bills of Sale, Acceptances of Sale, corporate authorities, Share Pledges, Guarantees and others.

Our lawyers also liaise with international law firms, banks, leasing companies, ECAs, and other financiers in Asia, Europe, the United States of America, the Middle East and elsewhere, assisting with the Panamanian aspects of ship finance transactions. Transactions on which we assist are consistently awarded by major industry publications.

We assist clients with the preparation of Panamanian mortgages and are consistently leaders in the registration of mortgages, amendments and discharges in Panama, as well as with issuance of Panamanian legal opinions.

We are also requested to assist with the preparation and registration of documentation in connection with private sales by mortgagees.

Our firm may also assist with shipping transactions in jurisdictions such as Liberia, Marshall Islands, Madeira, and others.

Corporate Matters

Our firm regularly assists with the incorporation of Panamanian companies and private interest foundations, as well as all related matters including, but not limited to, drafting corporate authorities, by-laws, foundational charters, minutes, registration of deeds and obtainment of certifications.

We are also consistently requested to issue legal opinions in respect of documents to be executed by Panamanian companies and private interest foundations.

Our firm also assists clients with the due diligence and compliance requirements of Panamanian authorities as well as of financial institutions worldwide.

We handle the re-domiciliation of foreign companies into Panama as well as of Panamanian companies into foreign jurisdictions, and we may also assist with the incorporation of companies in certain jurisdictions such as Liberia, Marshall Islands, Nevis, BVI, Bahamas and others.

Shipping Litigation

Our firm assist mortgagees and creditors with the enforcement of their rights by arresting ships at the Panama Maritime Court or entering proceedings commenced by other parties to protect their interests.

We also enter proceedings on behalf of shipowners in order to secure the release of vessels arrested in Panama.

Our firm also represents shipowners, operators, management companies and others in administrative and legal proceedings at the Panama Canal Authority and the Panama Maritime Authority.

We are also requested to provide advice and issue Panamanian legal opinions for contentious proceedings involving Panamanian flag vessels abroad. Our partners and associates have acted as expert witness in foreign courts.

Aviation

Our firm assists in the preparation and review of aviation finance documents in respect of Panamanian aircraft as well as in the drafting and registration of Panamanian aircraft mortgages.

We also provide advice and issue legal opinions in respect of documentation to be executed by Panamanian companies and private interest foundations in aircraft finance transactions of foreign aircraft.

Immigration

Our firm assists individuals, as well as national and international corporations, with the obtainment of immigration permits and related documentation in the Republic of Panama.

We provide personalised assistance to ensure clients take advantage of the various opportunities to immigrate, work and invest in Panama, including but not limited to, the incentives provided by the Multinational Corporation Headquarters law.