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What we do

Our Expertise

International legal advice across investment immigration, business law, private client services and due diligence.

01

Investment Immigration

Investment Immigration

HLG has advised individuals and families on investment immigration for more than 30 years, covering residence and citizenship programmes across Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific.

Our lawyers help clients compare the available options, understand the legal and investment requirements and manage the application process from initial assessment through to approval.

Advice Based on Your Objectives

The right immigration route depends on more than the investment amount.

We consider where you want to live, your family circumstances, business interests, preferred investment and long-term plans before advising on the programmes that may be suitable.

Residency by Investment

Residency by investment programmes allow qualifying applicants and, in many cases, their family members to obtain residence through an approved investment.

Depending on the country, this may include investment in real estate, investment funds, businesses, government securities or other qualifying assets.

HLG advises on the available routes, investment and eligibility requirements, family inclusion, residence conditions and the application process.

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship by investment programmes provide eligible applicants with a route to citizenship through an investment or contribution approved by the relevant government.

Our lawyers advise on programme eligibility, qualifying investments, source of funds, due diligence requirements and the legal process involved in obtaining citizenship.

Entrepreneur and Business Immigration

For entrepreneurs and business owners, immigration options may be available through establishing, acquiring or investing in a business overseas.

HLG advises clients on immigration routes connected with business ownership and investment, including the requirements that must be met both when applying and after residence has been granted.

Citizenship by Ancestry

Citizenship may also be available without investment where an individual has a qualifying family connection to another country.

HLG assists clients in assessing potential citizenship claims through parents, grandparents or wider family history and obtaining the documentation required to support an application.

Real Estate Investment

Where property is an eligible investment route, HLG can advise on the immigration requirements and coordinate the legal aspects of the investment and residence application.

Residence and Long-Term Planning

For clients seeking residence rather than immediate citizenship, we consider the initial residence requirements alongside renewal conditions, physical presence requirements and any potential route to permanent residence or citizenship.

02

Business Law

Corporate and Commercial

HLG advises businesses, entrepreneurs and investors on corporate and commercial matters across multiple jurisdictions.

Our work ranges from company formation and commercial agreements to cross-border transactions, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions and real estate.

Company Formation

We advise on company establishment across multiple jurisdictions, including corporate structuring, licensing and related legal requirements.

Where appropriate, our teams can also coordinate the additional professional services required to establish and operate a business in the relevant jurisdiction.

Commercial Agreements

HLG drafts, reviews and advises on commercial leases, shareholder and partnership agreements, joint ventures, distribution and licensing agreements and other commercial arrangements.

Our lawyers work with clients to ensure that agreements accurately reflect the commercial relationship while addressing the legal and regulatory requirements of the jurisdictions involved.

Cross-Border Trade

We advise businesses on foreign regulations, customs, tariffs and other legal issues affecting international trade.

Where a matter spans jurisdictions, our international network can provide coordinated advice without requiring clients to manage separate law firms in each country.

Mergers & Acquisitions

HLG advises buyers, sellers and investors on domestic and cross-border transactions, from structuring and due diligence through to negotiation and completion.

Intellectual Property

HLG advises on the protection, ownership, licensing, transfer and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including trademarks, copyright and patents.

We also draft and negotiate licensing and other agreements governing the ownership and commercial use of intellectual property.

Real Estate

We advise investors, developers, purchasers, vendors, landlords and tenants on commercial real estate matters, including acquisitions, disposals, leases and cross-border investment structures.

Mining, Forestry and Environmental Law

HLG advises exploration and operating companies, contractors and other industry participants on regulatory, commercial and environmental matters.

Our presence in Canada and across Asia allows our teams to assist clients operating across jurisdictions and coordinate with relevant regulators and professional advisers where required.

03

Private Client Services

Personal Legal Matters

HLG advises individuals, families and business owners on personal legal matters that frequently arise alongside international relocation, investment and business interests.

Our services include tax and succession planning, wills and inheritance matters, employment advice and document notarisation and verification.

Tax Planning and Structuring

HLG advises individuals and businesses on domestic and international tax matters, including the tax considerations arising from cross-border investment, relocation and corporate structuring.

Where matters involve more than one jurisdiction, our teams can work with relevant tax and professional advisers to help clients understand the implications of their international arrangements.

Wills, Succession and Wealth Planning

We advise individuals and families on wills, inheritance, succession planning and the legal structuring of assets across jurisdictions.

For clients with international assets or family members living in different countries, we can help identify and address the legal issues that may arise across multiple jurisdictions.

Labour and Employment

HLG advises businesses and individuals on employment and labour law matters, including employment agreements, workplace policies, regulatory requirements and employment disputes.

Verification of Identity and Notarisation

HLG can witness, certify and notarise legal documents and provide identity verification where required for legal, regulatory and anti-money laundering purposes.

04

Due Diligence Services

Due Diligence and Background Screening

HLG provides due diligence and background screening services to individuals, businesses and professional partners seeking to better understand the people and organisations with whom they do business.

Our work combines international database screening with publicly and legally available information and, where required, local enquiries through our international network.

International Background Screening

Our due diligence services can include screening of individuals and companies against:

  • politically exposed persons (PEP) databases;
  • sanctions and global sanctions lists;
  • enforcement agency records;
  • court filings and company records; and
  • adverse media and other relevant public sources.

Our screening resources cover millions of entities across more than 250 countries and territories, together with information from more than 1,300 enforcement agencies.

Local Knowledge, International Reach

Database screening does not always provide the full picture.

With 19 offices worldwide, HLG can also conduct enquiries using locally available records and sources where appropriate.

Our teams can work in English and local languages, helping clients obtain information that may not be readily available through international databases alone.

Supporting Informed Decisions

Due diligence can assist businesses and individuals when assessing prospective clients, business partners, counterparties, service providers, employees and investment opportunities.

The purpose is straightforward: to provide reliable information that allows clients to better understand potential legal, regulatory and reputational risks before making an important decision.

Discuss your matter with our teamg

Confidential, no-obligation advice across immigration, business and private-client law.

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