LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING

Over the years our firm has been involved in the preparation, investigation and harmonization of legislations. We have assisted the Nigerian National Assembly and other regional bodies in preparing and analyzing legislations. We have rendered consultancy services in the following areas:

• Comparative analysis of Maritime Legislation and Preparation of legal opinions on matters relating to shipping. In December 1987, on the instructions of the Nigerian Shippers Council, we compared the Nigerian Shippers Council Decree 1978 and the National Shipping Policy Decree 1987 to see whether there were conflicts in the functions of the National Maritime Authority and the Nigerian Shippers Council and suggested possible ways of resolving any conflicts.

• Review of Maritime Legislations, Conventions relating to ships, the carriage of goods by sea and marine insurance. In December 1987, on the instructions of the Nigerian Shippers Council we reviewed the Nigerian Merchant Shipping Act 1962 and examined whether the law sufficiently protected the interest of the shipper.

• Research, drafting of new conventions on the Liner Code or any other conventions on maritime activities. In January 1988 on the instructions the Nigerian Shippers council, we examined the UN Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences and suggested areas for review from the view point of Nigerian maritime interests.

• Harmonization of French and English text of documents. In july 1989, on the instructions of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa, we harmonized the French and english versions of their constitution.

Since the inception of the democratic government in Nigeria, we have been involved in the conceptualization, drafting, and revision of some new legislations:

• In July 2002 on the instructions of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport we revised the Inland and Coastal Services (Cabotage) Bill which was passed by the House of Representatives in April 2002 to incorporate the views of the Senate.

• In August 2002, on the instructions of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, we drafted the bill on a law for the Establishment of a Maritime Development bank.

• In September 2002 on the instructions of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport we drafted the bill on a law on shipbuilding and shipyards.

• In September 2002 on the instructions of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport we drafted the bill on a law on Minimum Corporate Social Responsibilities.

• In September 2002 on the instructions of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport we drafted a bill on a law on Oil and Gas Services.

• · In October 2004 on the instructions of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology we drafted a bill on a law on the establishment of a National Environment Commission.