Clarke, Whittaker & Reid
Practice Areas
We are a general commercial practice with six principal areas of instruction. Each area is staffed by attorneys with specific experience in the field.
01 / 06
Corporate & Commercial
Company formation, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements, commercial contracts, and ongoing corporate advisory for businesses operating in and from Jamaica.
Enquire about this area →Typical Matters
- Incorporation and structuring of private and public companies
- Mergers, acquisitions, and business disposals
- Shareholder and joint venture agreements
- Commercial contracts and supply agreements
- Regulatory compliance and corporate governance
- Group reorganisations and holding structures
Our Process
We begin with a scoping call to understand the transaction or matter, advise on structure, and provide a fee estimate before instruction. Transactional matters proceed to due diligence, drafting, negotiation, and execution with a single supervising partner throughout.
02 / 06
Real Estate & Conveyancing
Residential and commercial conveyancing, title investigations, development agreements, leases, and registration of transactions under the Registration of Titles Act.
Enquire about this area →Typical Matters
- Residential and commercial purchase and sale transactions
- Title investigation and first registration
- Mortgage documentation and discharge
- Development and subdivision agreements
- Commercial and residential leases
- Strata title registration and management
Our Process
On instruction, we conduct a title search, advise on any encumbrances or caveats, draft the sale agreement, and manage all aspects of registration with the National Land Agency. Clients receive a written title report prior to execution.
03 / 06
Commercial Litigation
Representation before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in commercial disputes, injunctions, enforcement of judgments, and alternative dispute resolution.
Enquire about this area →Typical Matters
- Contract and debt recovery proceedings
- Injunctive relief and interlocutory applications
- Company and shareholder disputes
- Enforcement of foreign judgments
- Arbitration and mediation representation
- Judicial review in commercial contexts
Our Process
We provide a preliminary opinion on merits before any proceedings are commenced. Litigation strategy is reviewed with the client at each stage — pre-action correspondence, filing, interlocutory applications, trial, and appeal.
04 / 06
Banking & Finance
Loan documentation, security arrangements, regulatory compliance for financial institutions, and structured finance transactions.
Enquire about this area →Typical Matters
- Facility and loan agreement documentation
- Mortgage and debenture security preparation
- Syndicated and club lending transactions
- Bank of Jamaica regulatory compliance
- Refinancing and debt restructuring
- Financial Services Commission licensing matters
Our Process
Finance transactions are handled by a partner with dedicated experience in secured lending. We produce first drafts from our own precedents, adapted to the specific transaction, and manage registration of all security interests.
05 / 06
Employment & Labour
Employment contracts, redundancy procedures, Industrial Disputes Tribunal representation, and workplace compliance under the Employment (Termination and Redundancy Payments) Act.
Enquire about this area →Typical Matters
- Employment contracts and staff handbooks
- Redundancy calculation and procedures
- Industrial Disputes Tribunal representation
- Unfair dismissal and constructive dismissal defence
- Executive separation agreements
- Workplace policy compliance
Our Process
Employment matters are time-sensitive. We advise on procedural compliance before any disciplinary or redundancy process begins, and represent employers at the IDT where proceedings are unavoidable.
06 / 06
Intellectual Property
Trade mark registration and protection, copyright advice, IP assignments, and enforcement strategies in Jamaican and regional markets.
Enquire about this area →Typical Matters
- Trade mark applications and prosecution
- Copyright ownership and licensing
- IP assignment and commercialisation agreements
- Domain name disputes
- Cease and desist and IP enforcement
- CARICOM trade mark harmonisation matters
Our Process
IP instructions begin with a clearance search and availability opinion. Registration is managed through the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) and, where relevant, OAPI or Madrid Protocol filings for regional coverage.