At D. L. & F. De Saram, we advise businesses on the full range of corporate and commercial matters that arise in the life of a company, from its formation and structuring to the agreements and decisions that shape its day-to-day operations. Our clients include local enterprises, family-owned businesses, listed companies and multinational groups operating in Sri Lanka.
Our corporate and commercial practice handles general advisory work across all sectors, including shareholders’ agreements, joint ventures and commercial contracts. We take the time to understand each client’s business and objectives, so that the advice we give is practical as well as legally sound.
Many of our clients rely on us as their regular corporate counsel. We work alongside in-house legal teams and management, and draw on colleagues across the firm where a matter calls for specialist input, whether in Mergers & Acquisitions, Foreign Investment or regulatory compliance.
Our Expertise in Corporate & Commercial Law
Our general corporate and commercial advisory work includes:
- Company formation, including the choice of entity and the incorporation of private and public companies
- Group structuring and reorganisations, including the establishment of subsidiaries, branches and holding structures
- Drafting and negotiating shareholders’ agreements, including governance rights, share transfer restrictions, deadlock and exit provisions
- Structuring and documenting joint ventures, whether incorporated or contractual
- Drafting and reviewing commercial contracts, including supply, services, procurement and long-term commercial agreements
- Distribution, agency and franchise arrangements for local and international brands
- Corporate governance, including articles of association, board procedures and directors’ duties
- Board and shareholder matters, including meetings, resolutions, minority shareholder rights and differences between shareholders
- Day-to-day commercial advice on contractual issues, terms of business and risk allocation
We aim to give clear answers that allow clients to make decisions with confidence and move their business forward.
Comprehensive Corporate and Commercial Services
Corporate and commercial matters rarely sit in isolation. A joint venture may involve foreign exchange and investment approvals; a group reorganisation may raise tax and employment questions; a new board structure may need to reflect regulatory expectations. Our lawyers coordinate across the firm’s practice areas so that clients receive joined-up advice, including on:
- Statutory compliance and corporate housekeeping, supported by our Company Secretarial Services
- The corporate aspects of acquisitions, disposals and investments
- Governance frameworks that take account of environmental, social and governance expectations, with input from our ESG practice
- The renegotiation, termination and enforcement of commercial agreements, and the early resolution of commercial disagreements
- Establishing or expanding the presence of foreign companies in Sri Lanka
Whether a client is setting up a new venture, entering into a significant contract or reviewing how its board operates, our objective is the same: practical, reliable advice that supports the client’s commercial goals.