The OHADA Uniform Act on Commercial Companies and Economic Interest Groups which is made up of 16 member States, contains general provisions dealing with three different types of restructuring: mergers (fusions), spin-offs (scissions) and partial business transfers regardless of the type of company concerned. We advise on domestic and cross-border M&A, including public takeovers, demergers and corporate restructurings, joint ventures and strategic alliances, and auction sales. Some of our experts have advised on some of the challenging corporate transactions within the sub region. The global economic crisis has impacted businesses around the world and had a dramatic impact on merger and acquisition activity. Today’s buyers and sellers have to be more creative, since sellers are often motivated liquidity issues and deals are more complex. MULUH & PARTNERS lawyers have extensive experience and insights, and we excel in providing creative solutions for complex, time-sensitive issues.
With the peaceful citizenry and abundant natural resources, coupled with its pressing need for modern infrastructure, Cameroon is recognized as a country with a vast potential for investment and development.
It has, however, long been recognized that continued investment and development cannot be achieved without, on the one hand, a secure legal and commercial environment that will protect private property and contractual rights and, on the other hand, a strong and independent court system that can ensure the proper application of the law and the efficient settlement of disputes. Until recently, and despite these needs, much of Africa (Cameroon inclusive) suffered from outdated or incomplete legal systems. This gave rise to uncertainty that, in turn, was a disincentive to investment. Against this background, Cameroon has grown increasingly aware of the advantages that arise from the creation of a modern, harmonized and easily accessible system of business law. Cameroon being a signatory to the Treaty – Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa known its French acronym OHADA, has been able to embrace some legal principles like Mergers, Spin-offs, Partial Business Transfer and Joint Ventures. With MULUH & PARTNERS being one of the leading Corporate Law Firms in Cameroon, we have been involved in the restructuring and transformation of a couple of Firms in the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sectors. Thus it is of prime importance to give an overview of some of the legal principles enshrined in the OHADA Uniform Act on Commercial Companies and Economic Interest Groups.
As per the Uniform Act, a Merger is a transaction wheretwo companies join to form a single company either the creation of a new company or the absorption of one company the other. Although this definition refers only to Mergers between two companies, there seems to be no reason why it should not be possible to merge more than two companies at a time. A Spin-off as per the Uniform Act is a transaction wherea company’s assets and liabilities are shared out among several existing or newly-created companies. The Uniform Act equally makes mention of a Partial Business Transfer. It is a transaction wherea company contributes an autonomous division of its activity to another existing or newly-created company. The above notwithstanding, the Uniform Act in the same vein makes provision for Joint Ventures. As per the Act, a Joint Venture is where the partners agree that it would not be registered with the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register and would not have its own corporate personality. The partners are free to agree on the purpose of the Joint Venture, the rights of the partners and rules for its functioning and winding-up. Nevertheless, the partners must comply with the mandatory rules laid down in the general provisions of the Uniform Act relating to Commercial Companies, other than those that are specifically related to corporate personality. The above is just a tip of the iceberg and we of the MULUH & PARTNERS are at your service. You should therefore not hesitate to revert to us in case of any solicitation in any of these domains.
Our sector focus allows us to bring together specialists from across our practice areas into dedicated groups. This enables us to appreciate the environment in which our clients operate and to work with them to achieve their objectives.
Core values
We advise on domestic and cross-border M&A, including public takeovers, demergers and corporate restructurings, joint ventures and strategic alliances, and auction sales. We advise on challenging corporate transactions and have developed a reputation for handling complex and innovative transactions. Our sector focus allows us to bring together specialists from across our practice areas into dedicated groups. This enables us to appreciate the environment in which our clients operate and to work with them to achieve their objectives.
Mindful of the fact that Joint ventures and strategic alliances are becoming a more strategic option for many businesses; our expertise makes it possible for us to assist at every stage, from inception and business planning through to evaluation and implementation. We are therefore pragmatic and enormously client-focused, thus we take our time to understand your business and can be a cornerstone until when you get to the tough end of the deal.
What We Do
- Domestic and cross-boarder M&A, including
- Public takeovers
- Due diligence
- Joint ventures and strategic alliances
- Demergers and corporate restructurings
- Auction sales.
You have a Business. And you want to expand. Or just work together with another existing Business in another country. How do you go about it? What kinds of deals are possible? Without anyone feeling cheated?
We of MULUH & PARTNERS merge, combine, and set up co-operation contracts according to the wishes and possibilities of both partners; Contracts that are legally binding in both countries and leave no doubt as to who is responsible for what.
What are you waiting for? Do not hesitate contacting us at: MULUH & PARTNERS, SISE FACE COLLEGE DE LA SALLE-AKWA, B.P 1632 DOUALA-CAMEROON, TEL: +237 3342 9575 or +237 9639 4603, Email: [email protected]