NOS POLITIQUES
ANTI-CORRUPTION AND DENONCIATION POLICY
We expect each of our workers and employees to reflect, through their behaviour, the commitment of Fulgence Law Firm to comply scrupulously with the anti-corruption rules. Corruption is defined as a person who promises, offers or grants an undue advantage, either to himself or to another person or entity, to perform or refrain from performing an act in the performance of his or her duties. This Policy applies to all individuals working at all levels and scales of Fulgence Law Firm.
1. Objective
The objective of this Policy is to establish behavioural standards that minimize the risk of corruption within Fulgence Law Firm. Any person employed by, working for, or on behalf of Fulgence Law Firm, is bound by this Policy. Fulgence Law Firm partners must act ethically and may be asked to comply with this Policy.
Fulgence Law Firm asserts a policy of zero tolerance for the facts of corruption. As follows:
a) workers, including suppliers, must never promise, offer or pay any benefits;
b) never demand or accept a bribe;
c) no worker will be subject to retaliation for refusing to pay or receiving bribes, even if the refusal may result in a loss of opportunity to enter into an agreement with a client;
d) this Policy controls the donation and acceptance of gifts, invitations, entertainment, charitable donations or sponsorship.
2. Conflicts of Interest
Fulgence Law Firm workers must act in a manner that avoids any conflict of interest:
a) private arrangements for the use of terms of remission, unless formally negotiated by Fulgence Law Firm as a benefit to staff and advertised as available to all staff;
b) a worker or agent whose role involves negotiation or authorization to enter into an agreement with a third party, must immediately declare any shareholding in that third company, its holding company, its subsidiaries or associated companies, unless the shareholder is in a publicly traded company and represents less than 5% of the issued share capital;
c) Workers cannot authorize the payment of Fulgence Law Firm funds to an external organization or charity of which they are shareholders, board member, director or employee;
d) business decisions, including appointments and opening of files, must not be influenced by a personal, family or other relationship, or by membership in any religious, social or political association;
e) any transaction with private companies or individuals, officials, must remain clear and transparent and be conducted in a correct and adequate manner.
3. The gifts
Fulgence Law Firm may provide gifts to third parties, provided that such gifts are reasonable and minor for the purpose of maintaining or establishing cordial relationships. However, gifts to third parties should not be provided if they are intended to influence a particular decision of the third party or to obtain a particular benefit. Gifts should not be accepted if they are excessive, disproportionate or intended to influence a particular business decision by Fulgence Law Firm or to obtain a specific benefit to the third party.
The staff of Fulgence Law Firm must politely refuse gifts, gifts and other excessive benefits, with the exception of conventional hospitality (disinterested acts generally admitted in social relations and entering into the usages of society) and minor gifts below the threshold set by regulation. If Fulgence Law Firm personnel have any doubt as to the appropriateness of the gift, they must refer to their supervisor before accepting it.
4. Disclosure
Fulgence Law Firm encourages its employees to promptly report suspected or proven wrongdoing, including breaches of the Code of Ethical Conduct and the ethical rules of the legal profession. The immediate superior is the appropriate person to handle any disclosure. Wrongdoing may also be reported directly by third parties to Fulgence Law Firm Management, by e-mail or other means of communication. Any reports of wrongdoing received will be further reviewed as appropriate.
5. Confidentiality
Fulgence Law Firm, including all persons designated to receive complaints under this Policy, will treat all communications in a confidential manner in strict compliance with the Act and, to the extent possible, taking into account the need for an appropriate investigation. The informant will need to identify himself or herself as anonymity may limit the ability of Fulgence Law Firm to conduct a thorough investigation. Any complaint under this Policy must be made in good faith and based on facts or on a reasonable basis. Any complaint based on unfounded allegations that cannot be substantiated or that is intentionally false or malicious may be considered a slanderous denunciation.
6. Protection from Reprisal
Fulgence Law Firm protects against reprisal anyone who raises concerns or makes a complaint in good faith about suspected or proven wrongdoing. Reprisals include penalties in all their forms and negative effects on employment, including dismissal, suspension, demotion, transfer, harassment and discrimination.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Fulgence Law Firm believes that it is essential to integrate social, environmental and economic concerns into its activities and interactions with its stakeholders (clients, suppliers, private organizations and state entities). By adopting more ethical and sustainable practices in the way it operates, Fulgence Law Firm must be able to contribute sustainably to the improvement of the quality of life in society and to the protection of the environment.
Fulgence Law Firm’s corporate social responsibility policy is to :
a) conduct business in accordance with the ethics of the legal profession and in a socially responsible manner ;
b) protect the environment and the safety of people ;
c) protect and promote human rights ;
d) Create environments that improve living conditions by investing in community projects, job creation, training and improving people’s quality of life.
Fulgence Law Firm will consider all matters related to social responsibility, both in its advisory activities and in its administrative processes, while taking into account the best interests of its stakeholders.
1. Ethics and Transparency
Fulgence Law Firm’s commitment is to :
a. Maintain the highest standards of integrity and internal governance to continue to conduct day-to-day operations with excellence and to build customer confidence ;
b. conduct business in a manner that is frank, honest, ethical and professional ;
c. protect its reputation and increase the trust of its customers ;
d. measure and periodically audit its social responsibility programs ;
e. Ensure absolute professional secrecy.
2. Environment, Health and Safety
Fulgence Law Firm’s commitment is to protect the health and safety of all those involved in its activities, both its employees and suppliers and its customers. To this end, Fulgence Law Firm is committed to creating a healthy and safe workplace where the health and safety of individuals is never compromised. Fulgence Law Firm relies on an accident-free environment where every effort is made to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations, in collaboration with others, peers and clients, to encourage ecological and responsible practices and to encourage continuous improvement. Fulgence Law Firm believes that all members of its staff are responsible and accountable for workplace safety and must promote safe work practices that respect the environment.
3. Relationships with Clients, Private Organizations and State Entities
Fulgence Law Firm will establish clear, honest and respectful cooperation with its stakeholders (clients, suppliers, private organizations and state entities). Fulgence Law Firm is committed to working with its stakeholders to provide quality services that meet their needs.
4. Employee Relations
Fulgence Law Firm is committed to promoting a diverse workplace in which its employees are treated with dignity and fairness while respecting their career aspirations and goals. Fulgence Law Firm will apply fair labour practices in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in Burkina Faso. Fulgence Law Firm is committed to providing equal opportunity in all respects and will not tolerate any form of unlawful conduct in the workplace, including discrimination, intimidation or harassment.
5. Human Rights
Fulgence Law Firm will ensure respect for and promotion of human rights. Fulgence Law Firm will not tolerate any violation of human rights and will not engage in any activity that solicits or encourages any violation of human rights nor will it be complicit in any such activity. Fulgence Law Firm will always strive to build trust, adopt mutually beneficial practices and be respectful of human dignity and human rights in all its business relationships, including respect for culture, the customs and values of the individuals and groups with whom it works.
QUALITY POLICY
Quality of service is a fundamental requirement of Fulgence Law Firm. The control and control of this requirement requires the provision by Fulgence Law Firm of highly qualitative services that must present all the guarantees of reliability, precision and speed. This Quality Policy specifies the requirements of Fulgence Law Firm’s quality management system and has the following objectives :
1. Consistently provide services in accordance with client requirements and applicable legal and regulatory requirements ; and
2. Increase customer satisfaction through the effective application of a dynamic quality system, integrating improvement processes and ensuring compliance with customer requirements and applicable legal and regulatory requirements
Our mission is to provide our customers with the highest level of quality service in the areas of consulting, assistance, defence and representation in order to contribute to the satisfaction of needs and the creation of added value for our customers.
The objectives of Fulgence Law Firm are based on the following cardinal values :
a) Customer satisfaction
b) Timeliness
c) Efficiency in processing files
d) Staff involvement
e) Integrity
f) Professionalism
In order to fulfil our mission in accordance with our values, we are committed to a continuous evolution of our Quality system. Fulgence Law Firm refers to the PDCA (“Plan-Do-Check-Act”) cycle of the international standard IS0 9001 :2015 relating to the quality management system according to the following approach :
Plan : Establish quality system objectives, processes and resources to deliver results consistent with client requirements and Cabinet policies, and identify and address risks and opportunities ;
Achieve : implement what has been planned ;
Verify : monitor and measure legal processes and services provided against planned policies, objectives, requirements and activities, and report on results ; and
Improve : undertake performance improvement actions.
Fulgence Law Firm has a Quality Manager who works in collaboration with all Firm staff to implement this approach.
To achieve these objectives, Proactivity, Responsiveness and Reliability of our analyses, research and services must form the basis of our commitment to our customers.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Fulgence Law Firm recognizes that in accordance with the legislation in force at the date of this policy, everyone has the right to a healthy environment. The promotion of a healthy environment is of general interest and an obligation for all natural and legal persons. Fulgence Law Firm further recognizes that rigorous and appropriate environmental management is essential to the proper performance of its daily tasks.
1. Objective
Our goal is to minimize the environmental impacts of our activities, to prevent and manage technological risks and disasters satisfactorily. This policy helps preserve our values and benefits all employees, suppliers and employees of Fulgence Law Firm operates.
2. Commitment
Fulgence Law Firm is committed to the ongoing protection and improvement of the environment in which it operates. This policy sets out its guiding principles in this regard. We will fully implement and integrate best environmental practices and designs into all of our activities to ensure that environmental protection is paramount. Fulgence Law Firm is committed to following the best practices and applicable laws and regulations.
3. Guiding Principles
Maintaining the quality of the environment in which Fulgence Law Firm operates is based on the following guiding principles:
a. the principle of participation and information that Fulgence Law Firm Management is required to enact and enforce participatory rules for maintaining a healthy environment.
b. the precautionary principle that the environmental damage that our natural activity or phenomenon may cause must be reduced or eliminated as a precaution and early enough.
c. the precautionary principle that when the consequences of an activity or technology are unknown or even when their occurrence is uncertain, precautionary measures must be taken. These may, depending on the case, consist of the prohibition of the activity or the acquisition of the technology until proof of the absence of harmful effects has been reported.
d. the principle of sustainable development according to which current employees must satisfy their needs without compromising the capacity and chances of future workers or employees.
Implementation Strategies
As part of the implementation of this policy, Fulgence Law Firm will ensure that each employee, supplier or employee understands its guiding principles. The start-ups for implementing this policy are :
a) Make the environment and its protection an integral part of all decision-making processes and management systems
b) Integrate risk management systems and practices into all facets of our business, including our relationships with external individuals, agencies and governments.
c) Provide all employees with the necessary resources, expertise and training to actively encourage them to take responsibility for implementing relevant aspects of our environmental management system in the performance of their duties
d) Continuously improve our environmental performance by setting measurable and significant environmental objectives in order to guarantee the cleanliness of our premises, the collection and disposal of waste generated, the maintenance of plant species, etc.
e) Set up monitoring mechanisms and ensure regulatory monitoring in order to remain informed about the extent of the obligations that may affect the proper performance of Fulgence Law Firm’s missions.