Steeles Lawyers is a Firm that comprises of several lawyers with varying degrees of expertise and experience and a number of paralegal and administrative staff. The Firm was established in the late 60’s by Barrister and Solicitor, Stan Cory and was purchased over by Mr Peter Steeles in the late 70’s and was eventually taken over by Mr Rimbink Pato, OBE in1988. The Principal of the Firm is Mr Rimbink Pato, OBE. The Firm currently has offices in the vibrant business district of Central Waigani, National Capital District. The Firm is amply resourced to undertake work for clients in all centres and towns throughout Papua New Guinea. We are best known for our resolve to provide tailored solution oriented services in a timely manner for each of our clients.

Since 2017

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14 Experts

We’re super proud of our diverse and talented team.

3 Countries

We work with hundreds of businesses just like yours.

Our team is driven by your success. Every single day, we’ll support your business and help you to succeed.

VISION AND MISSION

Steeles Lawyers’ vision is to provide quality and practical legal services tailored for specific needs of businesses, institutions, agencies or individuals. We undertake to provide solutions in a timely manner to empower our clients to run their organizations efficiently and to make informed decisions within the boundaries of the law. 

The Firm strives at all times to be receptive to our clients’ needs and aspirations in order that their issues are dealt with in a holistic manner.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE AND PRACTICE

  • Constitutional/ Administrative Law 
  • Corporate and Commercial Law 
  • Commercial and Criminal Litigation
  • Contract Law
  • Property and Conveyancing Law 
  • Labour and Employment Law 
  • Banking and Finance Law 
  •  Mining, Petroleum and Energy Law 
  • Probate, Succession and Trusts 
  • General Litigation/ Alternative Dispute 
  • Tax Law
  • Torts

CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL LAW

We have Lawyers with combined experience in excess of 70 years in the area of corporate governance, regulation and issues arising from transactions and commercial trade. We can provide advice on formation of companies, shareholder rights, mergers, restructures, acquisitions and joint ventures. Our focus is on understanding our clients’ business needs in order to assist them in overcoming legal obstacles so that they can prosper. This area of law also includes:

  • Business law 
  • Partnerships 
  • Company law
  • Labour and Employment Law 
  • International Trade law

PROPERTY AND CONVEYANCING LAW

Papua New Guinea was experiencing a construction boom on the back of Developments in the non-renewable and renewable sectors for an extended period of time a few years ago and continues to do so. We have Lawyers who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area of law who can swiftly and confidently deliver to our clients. We advise on property acquisitions, divestments and development including security documentation and litigation where necessary. In summary our practice in this area include:

  • .Acquisitions and Sales of Properties including Lease Agreements
  • Construction Contracts, project management
  • Mortgages and related financing documents
  • Compliance with laws and regulations including obtaining development
  • approvals

GENERAL LITIGATION AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 Our Lawyers are highly skilled advocates in many areas of law. They can advise on appropriate strategies to take when a matter becomes litigious. As our Lawyers are very familiar with the court rules and processes, they are well equipped to deliver the best possible outcome in the shortest of time. We are conscious about the Courts and alternative dispute resolution forums’ tendency to protract matters thereby unnecessarily incurring costs for our clients as well as causing the loss of windows of opportunity for business or otherwise so we use our best endeavours to bring matters to a speedy conclusion. The Courts have recently taken the stance to preferably go down the path of dispute resolution through negotiation and mediation to avoid costly, lengthy and unproductive litigation processes. Our Lawyers possess the requisite skills and experience to provide representation for our clients during arbitration or mediation.
Our areas of expertise include:

  • Contract 
  • Tort 
  • Constitutional and Administrative Law
  •  Land Law
  • Company and Associations 
  • Employment Law

CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

The Constitution is the supreme law of Papua New Guinea. Therefore, Constitutional issues are of paramount importance as they bring finality and impact everyone until such time the Constitution is amended by Parliament. Our Firm has experience in providing advice on Constitutional and Administrative Law based on work undertaken for more than 40 years. This includes filing Constitutional References for various clients including Provincial Governments. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

The Constitution is the supreme law of Papua New Guinea. Therefore, Constitutional issues are of paramount importance as they bring finality and impact everyone until such time the Constitution is amended by Parliament. Our Firm has experience in providing advice on Constitutional and Administrative Law based on work undertaken for more than 40 years. This includes filing Constitutional References for various clients including Provincial Governments.

BANKING AND FINANCE LAW

Our Firm has expertise to provide advice and draft documentation in the area of banking and financing. This includes advice on negotiations and mediation. Our services also include provision of advice on the regulatory regime for this sector.

LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW

We provide advice to all stakeholders in this area of law. This includes advising Employers on the regulatory framework for employing citizens and non-citizens, drafting employment contracts, providing litigation and mediation services.

TAXATION AND AUDIT LAW

Our Firm has the expertise required to assist our clients on PNG’s tax laws in various industries including logging, mining and various other sectors. It is important for our clients to understand and appreciate tax implications of their business endeavours and the transactions they enter into.

PROBATE, SUCCESSION AND TRUSTS

Lawful succession to properties and assets of a demised person is vital. It ensures respect for the deceased person’s wishes and maintains peace and harmony among families and friends during a difficult time. We at Steeles provide services which include setting up Trusts, drafting Last Will and Testaments and applying for probate and letters of administration for people who pass on without leaving Wills behind.

MINING, PETROLEUM AND ENERGY LAW

Papua New Guinea is a country blessed with an abundance of resources both renewable and unrenewable. In the non-renewable, our Firm has over 30 years’ experience in this area of law. We are familiar with the regulatory framework that governs the Mining, Petroleum and Energy Sector. The Firm provides advice on tenements, project negotiation and documentation on behalf of various stakeholders including State Agencies, Provincial Governments and Landowners. We ensure our clients are compliant and derive the utmost benefits provided by law. We also provide our clients assistance in obtaining relevant licences and permits. In the renewable sector we have substantial expertise in the agriculture, fisheries and logging sectors. We advise our clients on the legal framework in these sectors, and negotiate with various stakeholders including relevant government agencies and landowners. We also draft project agreements and assist in obtaining relevant permits and licences. In the Energy sector, with the recent establishment of the National Energy Authority, there will be a boom in power generation and distribution in Papua New Guinea. Our Firm is well placed to assist those who are willing and excited to take this new and
exciting journey.