Commercial law is a branch of private law concerned primarily with the supply of goods or services by merchants and other businesses for profit. The range of topics included is extensive. These topics include sale of goods, bailment and carriage of goods, documents of title and negotiable instruments, banking, and various forms of secured credit.
In Canada, jurisdiction to regulate commercial transactions is divided between the federal and the provincial governments. Commercial lawyers must be familiar with federal and provincial laws.
Canadian commercial law is changing in reaction to technology. Negotiable-instruments law is impacted by electronic systems for transferring funds (including the use of automated tellers at the retail level) and the widespread substitution of cheques through credit and debit cards. Transportation by containers of cargo and intermodal transportation methods (Transportation Law) have altered the law of bills of lading and the traditional roles and duties of carriers.
We assist our clients in all aspects of commercial real property transactions. We act for purchasers, vendors, lenders, contractors, developers, property managers, condominium corporations, landlords, and tenants. We also act for real estate investment funds, particularly through specialized limited partnership structures. We regularly represent clients before municipal boards and tribunals concerned with construction or project development, taxation, or use and conveyance of residential, commercial or industrial real estate.
Corporate
Corporate law involves the rights and obligations governing the relations, and conduct of persons, companies, organizations and businesses. It deals with matters relating to requirement for a corporation or company to remain lawfully in existence. It therefore includes and will include the formation, (share ownership, shareholders, directors) funding (investors and borrowing), governance (Directors Law) and employment law (employees). Corporate law is often described as business law. Business law has a broader context with includes commercial law which relates commercial or business activities including commercial lending (finance law), raising money though the sale of shares, or by borrowing (debt).
The firm has a corporate paralegal and the lawyers supervise her as they work through these corporate issues
- Alberta, Manitoba and Federal incorporations
- registrations including extra provincial and business names
- amendments to corporate structure
- corporate and tax reorganizations
- dividends
- redemptions
- amalgamations
- dissolutions
- revival
- continuances in and out of various jurisdictions in Canada
- routine annual maintenance (Annuals Returns and Annual Resolutions)
- reviewing, updating and cleaning up corporate minute books to correct any deficiencies
At the bottom of this page is an Incorporation Checklist for the information we will require for a new incorporation. Please fill out this information and email back to the applicable lawyer so they can begin preparing your incorporation documents. If you do not have a lawyer already please email to info@ddwestllp.com and one will be assigned to you.
Financing Law
The law of Finance applies to financial institutions and consumers of debt financing. Typical transactions include leasing companies, finance companies, other financial institutions (credit unions), corporate and individual financing, government financing, primarily borrowers when dealing with lenders or credit granters.
Financing law enters into almost all commercial transactions including mergers and acquisitions, mortgages and loan agreements (through banks, credit unions, trust companies, economic development funds, insurance companies and other lenders), contracts, leases, franchises, construction agreements, and development agreements.
Our lawyers are skilled in financing law and advise chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies, economic development funds, insurance companies, and private lenders involved in lending. This includes secured transactions, financial reorganizations, debtor and creditor arrangements, and all aspects of financing, securitization and realization. We understand the services such lenders will provide to their clients and we work with both lenders and borrowers to ensure a mutually satisfactory resolution to their business dealings.
Securities
Our securities law practice at DD West LLP encompasses a wide range of services that includes helping companies gain access to investment funds by way of public and private offerings of securities, compliance with rules and regulations of the Alberta Securities Act and Manitoba Securities Act, stock exchanges and other regulatory securities bodies, continuous disclosure by public companies, preparation of initial public offerings, takeover bids, business combinations and complete purchase and sale transactions of shares of public and private companies. We also provide services and advice on corporate governance, investment funds, derivatives, and dealer and adviser registrations.
New Incorporation Checklist: ddwestllp.com/NewIncorporationchecklist
