Solutions
A premier boutique law firm in Westlands,
Nairobi, committed to the success of your
business.
We are here to manage your law with experience
CS Advocates LLP was registered in 2021 after the merger of Charles &Co Advocates and Situma and Associates Advocates.
Our Firm is headquartered in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi and provides legal services throughout the country. Our guiding principle is Providing effective legal solutions.
We are committed to the success of our clients. We seek to add value to our clients, by investing time to understand our client’s needs in order to gain a deeper understanding of their priorities, goals and challenges.
Our team has energetic and dynamic professionals who represent the legal practice in tune with today’s business trends.
Comprehensive Legal Services
We offer specialized advisory across commercial and private sectors.
Contract Law
Contract law is the very heart of our legal system and serves as the foundation of our entire society – both locally and internationally. The success of the modern‑day business world depends on free exchange in the marketplace at every level – which is made possible by the laws of contract.
At CS Advocates LLP, we offer our clients in‑depth and insightful legal advice, analysis and services with regard to both standard and complex commercial and real estate contracts designed to make sure our clients are always afforded the best in legal protection and security.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
CS Advocates LLP has actively involved in a wide variety of alternative dispute resolution processes, practices, and techniques. Arbitration and mediation are the best known and most frequently used types of ADR. We hold the view that a negotiated settlement is worth pursuing before investing time and money in full blown civil litigation.
Arbitration: process of referring a dispute to an impartial intermediary chosen by the parties who agree in advance to abide by the award. The Firm successfully arbitrated several arbitration matters.
Mediation: assisted negotiations in which a neutral intermediary facilitates a voluntary, mutually acceptable settlement. Unlike arbitrators, mediators lack the power to impose a decision.
Insurance Law
As a firm, CS Advocates LLP represent several insurance firms. One of our primary objectives in these kinds of matters is to expeditiously conclude cases so as to save on costs for our clients. Also we represent individual clients who may wish to go against insurance firms.
Real Estate & Property Law
CS Advocates LLP has advised numerous clients in both residential and commercial real estate development. The Firm comprises of well trained and experienced property and conveyancing lawyers to guide clients on every step of a real estate and or property transaction including but not limited to providing advice on transfers, structuring of joint ventures, sales, purchases, fractional ownership, tenant purchase, leasing, PPPs.
The Firm has provided its advisory services for various large scale real estate projects and infrastructure development projects in the country and region.
Constitutional & Administrative Law
The promulgation of a new constitution in Kenya in 2010 brought into prominence this branch of law. The country has witnessed multiple constitutional petitions and judicial review applications. This is largely due to the fact that with expanded democracy in Kenya, the citizens now understand their right more and can very easily access the High Court.
CS Advocates LLP as a firm has in the process advanced the jurisprudence in this sphere of law by representing and successfully prosecuting several constitutional petitions and judicial review applications. The Firm has a good number of advocates who are conversant and purely specialize in this area of law.
Project Finance & Infrastructure
The Firm provides advisory services for different financing structures and arrangements for infrastructure and real estate projects including Islamic Finance, tax considerations, security arrangements.
Governance Advisory & Audits
Boards of Directors and Management are the apex of all companies and state corporations. The law mandates publicly listed companies and state corporations undertake governance audits every year. In undertaking these audits, we evaluate the composition, policies and operations of the Board and management against the law, guidelines and international best practices.
We undertake governance audits; assist you to develop compliance monitoring tools; train your Board of Directors and C‑Suite Management; and advise your Corporation/Company Secretary on their role in assisting the Board.
Banking, Securities & Finance
CS Advocates LLP handles work for various banks both within and outside Kenya. We incorporate banks and financial institutions, advise on restricting mergers and acquisitions, liquidations, winding up and dissolution. We provide debt collection services and have defended banks when sued for all range of claims and suits.
Meet The Partners
Expert in Commercial Law, Real Estate, and Corporate Governance. Holds an LLM from Xi'an Jiaotong University and an LLB from CUEA. Formerly Head of Legal for Niletee Marketplace and Proprietor of Charles & Co Advocates.
Seasoned litigator and Certified Public Secretary (CPS). Heads the Dispute Resolution department, specializing in Insurance Law and ADR. Formerly Senior Associate at Anjarwalla & Khanna and Madison Insurance.
Frequently Ask Questions
What are the legal requirements to register a company or foreign subsidiary in Kenya?
To register a local company or a foreign subsidiary, businesses must apply through the Business Registration Service (BRS). Key requirements include a registered physical address, clear shareholder structures, and, for foreign companies, the appointment of at least one local representative. Specific sectors may also require foreign ownership limits and specialized regulatory licenses.
Ready to enter the Kenyan market? Email us at [email protected] for a seamless registration and compliance strategy.
What are the legal requirements for hiring expatriate staff and local executives in Kenya?
Hiring in Kenya is governed strictly by the Employment Act. For expatriates, the sponsoring company must secure a Class D work permit from the Department of Immigration, often requiring proof that the skills are not locally available. For all executives, employment contracts must clearly outline termination clauses, as Kenyan labor courts heavily penalize unfair dismissal. Need to secure work permits or draft compliant executive contracts? Reach out to [email protected].
What does legal due diligence entail during a corporate merger or acquisition in Kenya?
Legal due diligence in Kenya involves a rigorous audit of a target company’s liabilities and legal standing. This includes reviewing corporate governance records, material contracts, employment agreements, intellectual property, and environmental compliance (NEMA). The goal is to identify any hidden risks that could impact the valuation or legality of the transaction. Ensure your next acquisition is secure. Email [email protected] to initiate
What are the key legal considerations for public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Kenya?
PPPs in Kenya are governed by the Public Private Partnerships Act. Key legal considerations include ensuring transparent procurement, navigating land acquisition laws, complying with strict environmental regulations, and securing robust letters of support or sovereign guarantees from the National Treasury to mitigate political and off-taker risks.
Discuss your project finance and infrastructure compliance needs with our experts at [email protected].
Can a foreign investor or foreign-owned company legally own land in Kenya?
Under the Kenyan Constitution, non-citizens and foreign-owned companies cannot own freehold land. However, they can legally hold land on a leasehold tenure for a maximum period of 99 years. If a foreign entity purchases freehold land for commercial development, the title is automatically converted to a 99-year leasehold upon the transfer of ownership.
Planning a commercial real estate acquisition? Email [email protected] to ensure your land transactions are structurally sound and legally compliant.
How can a foreign or local business resolve a complex commercial dispute in Kenya?
Businesses can resolve disputes through the Commercial and Tax Division of the High Court, which handles high-value corporate litigation. Alternatively, many businesses opt for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), such as mediation or arbitration, which often provides a faster, more confidential, and highly specialized path to resolution.
Facing a high-stakes commercial dispute? Email our litigation advocates at [email protected].
What are the advantages of using arbitration over commercial litigation for Kenyan business disputes?
Arbitration offers several strategic advantages: strict confidentiality for sensitive financial matters, faster resolution timelines compared to the court backlog, and the ability to choose an arbitrator with specific industry expertise. Additionally, under the Kenyan Arbitration Act and the New York Convention, arbitral awards are final and widely enforceable internationally.
Protect your business interests efficiently. Email [email protected] to explore alternative dispute resolution.
Arbitration offers several strategic advantages: strict confidentiality for sensitive financial matters, faster resolution timelines compared to the court backlog, and the ability to choose an arbitrator with specific industry expertise. Additionally, under the Kenyan Arbitration Act and the New York Convention, arbitral awards are final and widely enforceable internationally. Protect your business interests efficiently. Email [email protected] to explore alternative dispute resolution.
Arbitration offers several strategic advantages: strict confidentiality for sensitive financial matters, faster resolution timelines compared to the court backlog, and the ability to choose an arbitrator with specific industry expertise. Additionally, under the Kenyan Arbitration Act and the New York Convention, arbitral awards are final and widely enforceable internationally.
Protect your business interests efficiently. Email [email protected] to explore alternative dispute resolution.
Latest Legal Perspectives
join our team
At CS Advocates LLP, we believe our strength lies in our people. We are always looking for dedicated legal professionals and support staff who share our commitment to integrity and excellence in legal practice.
Interested in joining us? We invite passionate advocates and legal pupils to explore a career with a firm that values deep insight and client-focused results.