New Rules Governing the Registration of Trusts in Zimbabwe
Recent changes to Zimbabwe’s Deeds Registries Act (“the Act”) through the Deeds Registries Amendment Act, 2017.
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Changes to public procurement regulation in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s new Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act {Chapter 22:23} (the Public Procurement Act) came into effect on 1 January 2018. The new Act repealed the Procurement Act {Chapter 22:14}.
What You Need to Know About Plant Breeders’ Rights in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, Plant Breeders’ Rights are governed by the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act and the Plant Breeders’ Rights Regulations, 1998 (Statutory Instrument 113 of 1998).
How To Get An Investor Residence Permit
Advice for foreigners investing in Zimbabwe.
MS celebrates World IP Day
IP lawyers from MawereSibanda attended this year’s event which was hosted by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) at the ARIPO headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe.
ZIMRA accepting tax amnesty applications
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is accepting applications for tax amnesty. The tax amnesty was introduced in terms of the Finance Act, No. 1 of 2018 and applications may be submitted by qualifying person up to the 30th June 2018.
Major amendments to indigenisation laws
Zimbabwe has introduced amendments to its indigenisation legislation which has altered previous minimum shareholding requirements for businesses operating in reserved sectors.
MS leading lawyers highly rated in Chambers Global 2018
According to Chambers and Partners commentary, MawereSibanda “is acknowledged for its strength in litigation as well as its activity in the areas of banking and finance, telecommunications, real estate and infrastructure.”
Employers Beware: Regulations Governing Employees on Probation & Fixed-Term Contracts
We highlight yet another aspect in that Labour Amendment Act, 2015 which employers in Zimbabwe need to be wary of.
Is Bitcoin Legal in Zimbabwe?
Bitcoin is booming but is it legal? Download this month’s free MS infographic.
IBA 2017: Sydney, Australia
The next annual annual conference, IBA 2018, shall take place in Rome, Italy.
Deeds Registry to Introduce New E-filing System
Zimbabwe’s Deeds Registries Amendment Act came into force on 23 June 2017. It provides for the establishment of an electronic filing system and registry. Get your FREE 1-page download of our 5 Fast Facts About E-Registry when you sign up for our monthly bulletin.
Zimbabwe: WIPO Patent Drafting Course for African Patent Agents
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) organised a patent drafting course for African patent agents with the assistance of the Japan Patent Office. The course was held at ARIPO and officially opened on 4 September 2017.
COMESA Competition Regulation in Cross Border Transactions
Competition is defined as the effort of two or more companies acting independently to secure the business of a customer by offering the most favourable price or terms. In essence, competition is about out-smarting your opponent to win over the customer.
Zimbabwe: Proposed Tax Incentives for Investors in Special Economic Zones
The Special Economic Zones Act [Chapter 14:34] (the SEZ Act) was enacted on the 1st November 2016 as part of the Zimbabwean government’s efforts encourage investment in specifically designated areas.
International Trademark Association (INTA) CEO Visits Harare, Zimbabwe
On the 26th June 2017, the International Trademark Association (INTA) CEO, Mr Etienne Sanz de Acedo visited Harare, Zimbabwe.
Pre-Trademark Application Steps For Brand Owners
Here are five steps you should consider taking before making a trademark application in Zimbabwe.
Basic Guide to Trademark Applications in Zimbabwe
A step-by-step guide to registering a trademark in Zimbabwe.
The Madrid Protocol & Zimbabwe: Frequently Asked Questions
Zimbabwe published the Madrid Protocol Regulations on the 13th March 2017. Here are some commonly asked questions regarding the Madrid System in Zimbabwe.
5 Things To Consider When Branding Your Product or Service
A trade mark must be capable of distinguishing the goods or services in relation to which the mark is used or proposed to be used, from the same kind of goods or services connected in the course of trade with any other person.
The Quick Guide to Getting An Investment Licence in Zimbabwe
All new foreign investments in Zimbabwe require an Investment License issued by the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA).
Bond Notes: What the Legal Experts Are Saying
On the 31st of October 2016 the President of Zimbabwe passed the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Amendment of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act and Issue of Bond Notes) Regulations, Statutory Instrument 133 of 2016 (SI 133 of 2016). The purpose of the legislation was to provide a legal framework for the introduction of the much […]
5 Tips to Avoid Copyright Infringement Online
In Zimbabwe, copyright exists without registration provided that the right exists within the provisions of the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act [Chapter 26:05] (the Act). Once it is established that the work concerned falls within the parameters of copyright protection, the copyright owner does not need to take a further step. Works which are eligible […]
Warning: Do This Before Sharing High Value Business Information
A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is an effective way of protecting a company’s confidential information. The uses of an NDA for a business are varied, including the protection of trade secrets, business ideas, customer information and technical know-how.
7 Essential Elements of an Employment Code of Conduct
A code of conduct which does not comply with the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] leaves an employer exposed to a claim for review on the ground of illegality.
11 Ways To Use Syndicated Loans To Your Advantage
Syndicated loans are increasingly becoming a prominent feature in today’s loan market landscape due to their numerous advantages to both the banks and the corporates.
Transfer pricing in Zimbabwe: The Basics
Transfer pricing is a tax which has implications for businesses who share employment services amongst their various entities.
Can you copyright your brilliant business idea?
Intellectual property is a complex area of law and also one of the most misunderstood. In Zimbabwe, our sources of copyright law are the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act [Chapter 26:05] and various court decisions where the meaning, nature and scope of copyright are defined. At a recent IP event held in Harare, Zimbabwe, the following scenario was […]
INTA Africa Conference 2016!
The biggest IP event in Africa this year.
How Zimbabwe is paving the way for foreign investment in transport infrastructure
Existing Zimbabwean legislation currently does not provide, in clear and certain terms, the extent to which private players may participate in the provision, maintenance and management of transport infrastructure.
Chambers Global 2016 ranks Tatenda Mawere as leading lawyer
Founding partner, Tatenda Mawere is a ranked lawyer in Chambers Global 2016. He has been recognized as a leader lawyer in Zimbabwe under the General Business Law category.
Arbitration in Africa: A Review of Key Jurisdictions
Rapid growth in commercial transactions in Africa has increased the need for alternatives to litigation – this the gap that arbitration fills, providing an effective and enforceable method of dispute resolution while saving businesses time and money. Arbitration in Africa: A Review of Key Jurisdictions is an exploration of the processes and issues surrounding arbitration in […]
Record-Breaking: INTA Annual Meeting 2016 Highlights
The International Trademark Association’s (INTA) 138th meeting saw record-breaking numbers with over 10,000 registrants this year. Trademark lawyers from around the world gathered at this year’s annual meeting The annual meeting, which is a strategic networking opportunity for trademark lawyers around the world, took place on May 21 – May 25, 2016. The head of […]
Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined
This year’s World IP Day theme is Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined.
M&A activity hots up in Africa as investors bet on growth
Concerns on the scale of the Ebola crisis, current levels of political unrest and plunging commodity prices would have sent investors rushing out of Africa not long ago. But deal-making in the sub-Saharan region is buoyant as most investors set aside short-term worries and bet big on the continent’s growth prospects. “Africa is on the […]
The challenges and opportunities of doing business in Africa
Doing business in Africa provides unique challenges and endless opportunities. With fewer conflicts and economic growth rates that are now competitive with those of other developing regions, Africa has experienced positive change and has a substantial amount to offer. However, the business environment, including social, economic, legal and political, is complex and doing business in […]
Capital spending on infrastructure too slow to spur growth
INVESTMENTS in infrastructure, particularly by public-sector institutions, will have to be ramped up by a large margin if ambitions to grow South Africa’s economy are to be realised. Gross fixed capital formation, a measure of investment spending, grew by just 3.1% during the fourth quarter of last year, a disappointing drop from 7% growth in […]
Collecting Tax in Africa
KIERAN HOLMES’S early career in the Irish revenue service had not fully prepared him to take over as chief tax collector in Burundi, one of central Africa’s poorest countries. One of his first tasks was learning to use a pistol: getting companies to file returns in a country more accustomed to conflict and corruption can […]
Private equity in Africa
HOUSED until recently behind a German beer garden in a shopping mall, Namibia’s stockmarket has just a handful of actively traded stocks. Its low profile is not unusual for Africa: the continent’s public markets are mostly small and illiquid. That is not the only reason why entrepreneurs find it hard to raise capital. Pension schemes, […]
Labour Law: What constitutes a valid resignation?
It has become a common phenomenon that employees terminate their contracts of employment by tendering in their resignations. It has also become common occurrence that after an employee has terminated his/her employment contract by resigning the same employee either attempts to withdraw the resignation or starts to claim that his/her resignation is not valid as […]
No Fault Termination – The Zimbabwean Story
Most employers in Zimbabwe look forward to a day when they can terminate an employee’s contract of employment without having to give any reasons. Well that day seems to come and go. This is largely due to the inconsistency in the application of the law by our courts. Following the decision by the Supreme Court […]
Scrambling for Africa – International Business and Future Practice of Law on the Continent
Progressively, international business is making inroads into Africa with a view to tapping into the African economy. This of course is no surprise as collectively, Africa’s markets continued to grow notwithstanding the 2008 global financial crisis which saw the economies of Europe and the USA contract and or otherwise remain in a state of stagnation. […]
Demutualization of stock exchanges: the legal pros
Globally, stock exchanges are transforming their corporate governance structures through demutualization due to the globally competitive environment that is characteristic of the 21st century. The very first stock exchange to demutualise was the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1993. Thereafter, like a domino effect, the trend towards demutualization spread rapidly with exchanges in Canada (Toronto Stock […]
Choosing a trademark
In the last article in this ongoing series on trademarks, we looked at why it is important for your business to register a trademark as well as the advantages attached to registering a trademark. In part 3 of this ongoing series, we will discuss how you can go about choosing a trademark. The most important […]