Barrister Derek Beoku-Betts
Derek Beoku-Betts is a partner of the law firm of Garber & Co. Having qualified as an English Barrister in 1986 he holds a masters degree in Commercial and Corporate Law from University College London. He was admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales in 1996. He has worked as a part-time lecturer in law at the London Metropolitan University, in addition to delivering training to Lawyers in the United Kingdom. He has worked in the UK for many years as a Solicitor and for 5 years as one of the partners in his own firm.
In addition to his UK experience, Mr. Beoku Betts has been involved in advising and assisting with commercial transactions and agreements, in addition to negotiating complex commercial agreements. He also routinely advises on and conducts civil litigation in Sierra Leone. He also advises the Freetown City Council and other private sector companies on a range of matters including corporate law, employment and real property. He has advised business entities in matters such as employment law, property law, immigration law and company law.
He also has considerable experience working on projects which includes drafting, reviewing and negotiating PPA’s, Concession Agreements, Land Leases, Uptake agreements etc,. Advising both the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Energy and also potential investors in the private sector. He has practical knowledge of the policy legal and regulatory framework in various sectors in Sierra Leone and knowledge of the relevant stakeholders. He was responsible for advising the US embassy on their leasehold property holdings in Sierra Leone and in conducting a fixed assets and property due diligence for the proposed take-over of assets of Sierrratel.
He has experience in conducting legal due diligence and producing red flag reports for commercial entities seeking to invest in asset owning businesses in Sierra Leone. He is currently advising the Freetown City Council on the documentation required to secure title to over 70 properties owned by the Municipality. In addition, Mr Beoku-Betts has experience of sitting in quasi-judicial capacities in examination malpractice tribunals and as a member of the Bar Disciplinary Committee. He is currently sitting as a sole arbitrator in a commercial dispute.
Partner – Garber & Co
Tel. +232-76-352-656