YEAR OF CALL:
In November 1993, Howsoun was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of The Gambia as a Barrister & Solicitor in this common law jurisdiction. He began his career as a government lawyer, specializing in criminal prosecution, civil litigation, drafting commercial contracts, and interpreting Government Legislative Bills/Acts. Over time, he advanced to the role of Principal Legal Officer at The Gambia Divestiture Agency and later served as Manager and Director of Compliance at a governmental procurement regulatory entity.
Following an extensive career in public service, Howsoun transitioned to private legal practice in late 2007. His focus shifted to roles as a trademark agent, criminal defence lawyer, and commercial and civil litigator. He also specializes in interpreting and drafting commercial contracts and acts as an agent for filing Intellectual Property (IP) applications.
In November 2010, Howsoun was called to the Bar of England & Wales as a Barrister-at-law by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn. He began his UK legal career with a solicitor’s firm focusing on criminal law defence, drafting grounds of appeal and legal opinions, and completed his pupillage there.
From 2016 to October 2021, Howsoun worked with two law Chambers in Manchester, handling immigration, asylum, and human rights cases, as well as representing clients in criminal cases at the Magistrates Court, family law child arrangement proceedings, and commercial contract disputes.
On 1st June 2021, Howsoun established SEMEGA CHAMBERS, his own law practice in the city of Manchester, with the flexibility to travel across England & Wales to serve clients. He operates as an accredited Public Access Barrister, also known as ‘Direct Access‘, enabling members of the public to approach and instruct him directly for legal advice and representation in court without the need for a solicitor.
Howsoun also accepts instructions from solicitors and other legal professionals to represent their clients effectively and advocate on their behalf. This collaboration allows him to provide comprehensive legal support and expertise in various legal matters.
As a fully qualified barrister, Howsoun also serves ex-officio as a Commissioner for Oaths, authorised to prepare and attest and witness documents such as affidavits, and statutory declarations etc.
With both an academic background and legal work experience in Contract Drafting and Commercial law, Howsoun has developed expertise in the areas of commercial contract law, drafting, interpretation and analysis of several types of contracts including joint ventures agreements, lock-in agreements Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), confidentiality agreements, Shareholder Agreements etc to name a few. Howsoun holds a Master’s Degree in International Business Law.
In terms of trademarks specifically, Howsoun not only has a legal academic background in Intellectual Property (possessing a degree in the subject) but also practical experience in its application.
Howsoun holds on Masters degrees in both international business law, Intellectual Property Law and Information Technology law.
Howsoun has years of combined experience in criminal law practice both in The Gambia (both as a prosecutor and defence counsel) and in England.
In the UK, he undertook a criminal law pupillage in Manchester, and has appeared in several court proceedings defending clients including in Motoring Offences (including Drink and Drugs).
In Immigration and human rights law matters, Howsoun has a keen eye for detail in the preparation of visa applications of all types, and presentation of cases for hearings before the Immigration Tribunals and Courts. His many years of legal practice experience enables Howsoun to provide comprehensive advice and representation services to his clients from around the World. He has represented clients from around the World in hundreds of immigration, asylum and human rights cases and matters. His practices covers all areas of U.K. immigration, asylum, and human rights law in which he has several years’ experience advising clients and representing clients before the Courts and Tribunals – including cases dealing with Bail, Points-Based system (PBS) system, Deception, Citizenship and Nationality, Revocation, Deportation and Removal Immigration visit visas, entry clearance, Spouse & Partner Visas, UK Ancestry, adult dependency, Leave to Remain , Indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence) / settlement, Visa extensions & renewals, Variations of leave to remain, Family Visas, EU Family Permit, Pre-Settled and Settled Status Applications, Long residence (10 years’ lawful residence and 20 years’ unlawful residence), Indefinite Leave to Remain, Discretionary leave, Judicial Reviews and Administrative reviews etc.
In terms of Private Law Children Act Proceedings, Howsoun regularly represents clients in Private Law Children Act hearings before Family Courts in England. Of particular interest in such hearings is the Fact-Finding Hearing, which may be considered as one of the most critical parts of children’s hearings as it is determinative of the established facts found by the Court following such a hearing which can plays a crucial role in the determination what child arrangements are put in place. Howsoun represents both Mothers and Fathers in Private Law Children Act Proceedings.
Howsoun holds a Master of Laws in Legislative Drafting. Being a former legislative drafter of legislation in The Gambia, and having been trained in common law legislative drafting and interpretation abroad since 1998, Howsoun’s expertise in statutory drafting and interpretation of legislation is substantial with many pieces of national legislation drafted. His skills in these areas have also been engaged in consultancy work overseas. He has also advised clients on the interpretation of statues when reviewing legislation both in the UK and overseas.
‘Soft’ IP & IT law – Howsoun provides advice and guidance on trademark protection, regisgration and the licensing and assignment of Intellectual Property (‘IP’) rights, IP agreements, as well as information Technology (‘IT’) law and agreements / contracts, Trademark and Domain Name disputes.
In respect of trademark registration, the Nice Agreement is the most widely used international system for classifying goods and services among its members countries. The UK uses the Nice Agreement. Due to having filed many trade mark applications using the Howsoun is well place to advice clients on the appropriate class or classes but in addition file their trademark applications.