Betts and Berewa Solicitors

You Need a Reliable Law Firm That Helps Deal with General Legal Practice

2 Queen Street,
Off Circular Road,
Freetown, Sierra Leone.

+232 78 091-551 / +232 31 911-120
+232 76 256-767 / +232 76 153-615
+232 80 964-994 / +232 78 977-048

Professional and Experienced Attorneys

History

Betts & Berewa Solicitors is a law firm established in 1983 by two erudite legal luminaries Mr. Garvas J. Betts and Hon. Solomon E. Berewa who are now deceased. It is thus one of the first legal firms established in Sierra Leone where, until then, the legal practice has been carried out by sole practitioners. Even today, there are only a handful of legal partnerships of which Betts & Berewa, with 10(Ten) and more lawyers, is one of the largest. The Managing Partner of the firm is Elvis Kargbo Esq, a diligent and committed legal practitioner with over 22 years standing at the Bar.

Betts and Berewa Solicitors is engaged in general legal practice with specialization in Family Law, Immigration Law, Employment Law, Land Law, Contract, Corporate Law, Taxation law, Banking, succession Laws and Criminal Law & practice. The firm has vast experience in dealing with the Law of Succession for clients such as individuals, families, corporate bodies and retained clients who often sought its legal expertise on legal opinion, advice and in handling the estate of deceased persons. The firm had prepared loads of Letters of Administration, Probates and proffered legal opinions on the Law of Succession at the end of the Ebola period for the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.

Mr. Garvas J. Betts and Solomon E. Berewa Esq., the founding members, left the firm of solicitors in the hands of well, able and committed solicitors with the most senior being Mr. Eldred Taylor Camara who has been a lawyer for over 30 years. He is trained and qualified in the United Kingdom. In 1996 Mr. Cyril Johnson a solicitor of 25 years’ post-call, resident and practicing in England became an Associate of the firm. He spends several months each year with the firm in Sierra Leone. Honourable Justice D.G Thompson J. took over and maintained the firm before he was appointed as Justice of the High Court of Sierra Leone. Similarly, Honourable Justice Musu Kamara J.A who also retired from the firm to serve as Master and Registrar of the High Court of Sierra Leone and later appointed as Judge of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Betts and Berewa Solicitors is a Law Firm that has been in Sierra Leone for over 40 Years.

Defining Success

Trained and qualified Legal Practitioners in Sierra Leone and beyond.

Mr. Elvis Kargbo, the present Firm’s Head of Chambers (Lead Consultant) is an expert in Corporate Law, Land Law, Family law, Civil Procedure, Commercial law, Taxation law, Labour laws, Banking and Industrial related matters. He has also been dealing with Labour matters in the Industrial Court of Sierra Leone representing and drafting Terms and Conditions of Services in respect of the firm’s retained clients. He has been successful in almost all Industrial disputes he has dealt with for and on behalf of the firm. He is also the Chief Examiner in all legal subjects including Corporate Law, Contract Law, Shipping Law, Banking Law, Business Law and Commercial Related Laws for National Council for Technical and Vocational Awards (NCTVA) Examinations in Sierra Leone. In 2013 he served as the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association effectively and with due diligence. Of his diligent services at the Bar and the Judiciary as a whole, he was appointed as a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public in Sierra Leone. He was the one-time Chairman General Legal Council (GLC) and is still a member of the said council that is responsible for the admission, enrolment, practice and discipline of Legal Practitioners. The firm also has lawyers representing it outside the jurisdiction, Cyril Johnson Esq. and Ashmia Fofanah (MS) in the UK and Alhaji M. Turay Esq. who is also a lecturer in French language and doing consultancy work for the UN Office in Abidjan. These lawyers spend several months each year with the firm in Sierra Leone.

Legal Practice Areas

Real Estate

We offer legal services with respect to land and other related legal matters dealing with properties in the jurisdiction. Services include the preparation of conveyances, property deeds and other related legal instruments to prove good root of title, do due diligence with respect to the sale of realties, settle land disputes and represent our clients in court when the need arises.

Family Law

We deal with matters relating to probate, divorce, adoption, application for the registration of marriage certificates, preparation of Wills and Letters of Administration and settling of family disputes. Child custody maintenance Alimony pending suit judicial Separation etc.

Immigration Law

We profer advise with regards the immigration process in and out of Sierra Leone, understanding the path to citizenship and gaining legal status. We also represent clients in matters dealing with visa application. Preparing and filing of grounds of appeal for refusal of entry and other related matters. Advise and assistant in the filing of citizenship in Sierra Leone.

Employment Law

We pride ourselves in industrial matters considering the various retainers in the firm. We ensure that we profer opinions on policies, employment contracts, terms and conditions of services. This is extended to making legal representations in the industrial courts from time to time. Including express and implied terms of an employment contract. Discrimination and reasonable adjustment in employment.

Corpoorate Law

we advise and give opinion on the setting up of companies – prepared Memorandum & Articles of Association advising the Board and Directors of private and public companies shareholdings, – the running of the companies and other corporate businesses e.g from incorporation to liquidation.

Mining Law

We strategically advise clients on the implementation of mining laws working with both public and private sectors.
The manner of investment in small scale mining and large scale mining in sierra Leone, obtaining various mining and dealer licenses in Sierra Leone. Antisana mining Activities in sierra Leone and the workings of the NMA (National Mineral Agency), the provision of the mining Act and policies kin Sierra Leone.

Taxation

In respect of the imposition of tax in Sierra Leone by the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and on the Appellate process and procedures at the appellate body Having worked for the National Revenue Authority for over 7(Seven) years, we are verbatim with the tax rules and the taxation system in Sierra Leone.

Admiralty Law

The Firm profers legal advise on the body of laws, conventions and treaties that govern private maritime business and other nautical matters such as shipping or offences occuring on open water. We represent clients accordingly.

Banking Law

We prepare, loan agreements mortgage and other banking facilities, overdraft etc. the operation of various bank accounts, credit facilities, investment in bearer bonds and treasury bills. The operation of the banking systems in Sierra Leone, the Bank of Sierra Leone Act, the bank Act and other statutory instruments and regulations regarding the operation of the central bank and other financial institutions in Sierra Leone.

Criminal Law and Practice

We also deal with Anti-corruption matters as we profer advise relating to procurement and the various provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, offences in respect of money laundering terrorism, we participate in investigation, at the Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Anti-corporation commission, the Drugs Agency four firm also serves as defence counsel and at the same time persecute criminal cases.

Succession Laws

Preparing letters of Administration, vesting deed, interpreting and preparing wills in accordance with the wills Act, the Administration of Estate Act, the Devolution of Estate Act etc in Sierra Leone

Alternative Dispute Resolution

We conduct alternative dispute resolutions in the form of abitration, mediation, negotiated rulemaking, neutral factfinding and minitrials. This is to achieve volutary and or consensual agreement or settlement as opposed to having the Bench decide a particular matter/case.