5 St James Court
5 St James Court is a full-service law firm in Mauritius established in 2011 with Ravindra Chetty SC as head of chambers. The firm is notably active in both the financial and corporate practice area and project development.
“Very helpful and always provide
accurate legal advice/legal opinion. They are very responsive and have a quick
turn around time." (Banking)
“They handle legal matters in a very professional manner and always provide helpful and prompt advice to us.” (Banking)
“He is
very helpful, knowledgeable and
provides prompt advice.”
BLC Robert & Associates
Full-service business law firm BLC Robert & Associates is based in Mauritius. The firm has seven partners and over 30 fee earners and is a member of the Africa Legal Network. The firm has a strong financial and corporate
practice
and a particular focus on
M&A activities and bank lending in financial services.
BLC Roberts & Associates
advised The Union Sugar Estates Limited (USE), a listed company on the Development & Enterprise Market of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, in a long-form amalgamation with its majority shareholder, Cecile Holding Ltd (CHL), with USE
remaining as the surviving entity. Acting as lead counsel, the firm
was responsible for the drafting of the amalgamation proposal, ensuring it complied with disclosure requirements, shareholder approval processes, and regulatory filing obligations.
The team was led by partner Jason Harel and the transaction closed in December 2024.
The firm was also the principal legal adviser of United Investments Ltd (UIL), in connection with the disposal of some of its financial services investments by way of a management buyout for a consideration of approximately US$8,613,671. UIL is a listed company on the Development and
Enterprise Market
(DEM) of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, which required the team to ensure that the deal was carried out
in accordance with the Securities Act 2005 and DEM listing rules. The team was also responsible for securing multiple regulatory approvals from the Financial Services Commission and the Bank of Mauritius. The transaction closed in September 2024 and was led by Jason Harel and Bhavna
Ramsurun.
Qair International;
CrossBoundary Group; Azura Power; The Access Bank UK Limited;
Riveo Hospitality Ltd;
AfricInvest;
LeapFrog Investments Group, Ltd.;
Verod Capital Management Limited; Acre Capital Management; SPE Capital Partners Ltd
“We appreciate the firm’s
expertise, responsiveness, good team
leadership and coordination.” (Financial Services Regulatory)
“Quick responses.” (Financial Restructuring)
“The firm has a good team
and is responsive,
proactive and engaged.” (Investment Funds)
“They are knowledgeable and very commercial. They are a great support on Mauritius legal and regulatory matters.” (Investment Funds)
“The advice was always practical and
actionable, and the team was responsive and sensitive to timelines. They were also quite accommodating with
additional requests.” (Private Equity)
“Bhavna
Ramsurun is a good lawyer,
very knowledgeable and technical.
She keeps things balanced and reasonable.” (Investment Funds)
“Bhavna
Ramsurun is a brilliant lawyer and has been a great commercial advisor and legal technician over the years.” (Investment Funds)
“Bhavna
Ramsurun is very pragmatic and has always been ready with actionable and realistic advice about what is achievable.
She is also good with managing expectations.” (Private Equity)
“Jason Harel is clear and decisive.” (Financial Restructuring)
“BLC Robert & Associates' team
provided full support to
us and the bank involved in the financing transaction. The team was very responsive, committed, prompt in revising documents and responding to various queries. They provided practical and clear advice to the bank. Knowing the urgency of the matter and the timeline for
utilisation, the team worked on weekends and through the Christmas holidays to support the closing of the transaction.” (Banking & Finance)
“Very professional with
good communication. Always available when
required.” (Capital Markets)
“There has been an excellent working relationship between the in-house and corporate team and the law firm. There has been overall a good response time from all representatives of the law firm. Litigation cases were properly followed through and managed. The law firm adopts transparent billing.” (Financial Restructuring)
“Negotiation strategy. Draft SPA to incorporate provisions specific to the transaction.” (M&A)
“They produced the SPA and advised on final phase of negotiations to conclude the SPA.” (M&A)
“Responsive, flexible, pragmatic.” (M&A)
“The team provided clear and
timely advice on relevant aspects of Mauritian corporate law and were easy to work with – they integrated seamlessly into the network of legal advisers across other
jurisdictions on the transaction.” (M&A)
"Very knowledgeable on Mauritius law and therefore the quality of work output is consistently great, and they have
very good turnaround times.” (M&A)
"First of all, the advice is very solid legally speaking and based on past experience. Their advice is also very down-to-earth with a pragmatic approach. They also provide extra advice to ensure we have considered a 360 view." (Project Development)
“They are responsive, reachable, thorough, knowledgeable on banking/security matters and aware of market standards.” (Project Finance)
“Provided full support to us and the bank involved in the financing transaction. He was very responsive, committed, prompt in revising documents and responding to various queries. He provided practical and clear advice to the bank.”
“Responsive and professional.”
“A lateral thinker – innovative.”
“He shows leadership, and clear and innovative thinking. Will go the extra mile.”
“Very helpful. Knows his subject. Proactive.”
“Responsive, accessible,
knowledgeable and thorough."
“Satyan has an exceptional knowledge of Mauritian corporate law and an ability to distill it into clear, user-friendly advice. He is also an excellent project manager, with extensive experience working alongside counsel in multi-jurisdictional transactions.”
"He has
a very good grasp of technical matters,
good communication skills and is very responsive."
“Very well structured and articulate. He quickly understands the issue, looks at matters in depth and provides an interesting legal venue.”
“André brings decades of experience and wisdom when providing advice.”
Bowmans
South African firm Bowmans opened an office in Moka, Mauritius in 2019. The pan-African firm has seven offices in five countries in total.
The firm
is
engaged on some notably large corporate transactions consisting of fund formation and
raising, private acquisitions, and direct financing.
Bowmans
advised Bayport Management Ltd (BML), as a holding company of several subsidiaries and a company listed on the Official List of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, has been experiencing financial constraints and therefore underwent a cross-border restructuring. Acting as local counsel, the firm
was responsible for the negotiations and reviews of several agreements
required to enable the restructuring. The advice spanned across practice areas, including corporate, capital
markets, financing, and insolvency laws. The transaction closed in December 2024 and was led by partner Rajiv Gujadhur.
The firm also
assisted in the setting up of Inside Equity Fund II L.P. a private equity fund in Mauritius with a target size of USD 100 million to invest in SMEs with growth capital needs, with a focus on sustainable and innovative businesses. By March 2025, the fund has successfully completed its first and second closings, securing investor commitments that brought the total fund size to USD 62 million. The team was led by partner Fazil Hossenkhan.
AON; State Bank of Mauritius; Tremont Master Holdings; Africa Eats Ltd; Sanlam Africa Core Real Estate Investments Limited; Sanlam Life Insurance Limited;
Inside Equity Fund II LP; WIC Capital Fund II LP; Barka Capital Fund 1 LP; Sango Capital (Mauritius)
Advisers ; Adenia Partners Ltd
“We received an opinion with actionable decision points that helped in the in-depth assessment of the restructuring exercise.” (Banking & Finance)
“We were advised by
Fazil Hossenkhan who is a seasoned financial services specialist who gave us real insights for having assisted in the drafting of the empowering law i.e. the Insurance Act 2005.” (Banking & Finance)
Testimonials 2023/2024
"Quality of service, speed of execution and expertise." (Capital Markets: Debt)
"Quality service." (Financial Services Regulatory)
"Professional, always seeking to clearly understand the commercial terms/requirements and accurately integrate it in the agreements. Very responsive." (M&A)
"Responsive, clear and good quality." (Private Equity)
Gilles Athaw
"Depth of knowledge, responsiveness and professionalism."
"Professional, always seeking to clearly understand the commercial terms/requirements and accurately integrate it in the agreements. Very responsive. Cleary advises when there is a term or condition that can negatively affect the company, and provides a solution on how to address this point."
Rajiv Gujadhur
"Listening skills, reachable and available for meetings, service with a smile despite any challenging situation."
Javed Niamut
"Responsive, very able, good problem-solver, hard-working, pleasant to deal with."
C&A Law
C&A Law is an independent transactional law firm based in Quatre Bornes, Mauritius.
The firm is led by managing partner
Goinsamy Chinien and
advises financial institutions, investment banks, multinational corporations, listed companies, and private equity funds. Their
expertise covers corporate and commercial law, capital markets, project finance, and restructuring and insolvency.
ENSafrica
South Africa based
ENSafrica opened in Mauritius in 2013 after merging with local firm De Comarmond & Koenig, the country’s oldest law firm. ENS is a pan-African firm with more than 600 practitioners across offices in Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.
ENSafrica Mauritius is currently assisting Sanlam Allianz in the proposed amalgamation of Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Company Mauritius Limited (JAGI) and Sanlam General Insurance Limited (SGI) in Mauritius. The team, led by Anne-Sophie Lenette, advised on the legal and regulatory structuring of the amalgamation, preparing the necessary documentation,
assisting with the application to the FSC for approval and, support in the implementation. This included working closely with the client to meet regulatory requirements, including meetings with the regulatory, drafting and reviewing transaction documents, and putting together the amalgamation proposal. The transaction is ongoing.
The firm also served as local counsel for Marubeni Global Pharma in its strategic acquisition of a 30% shareholding in Phillips Healthcare Corporation. The team, led by Anne-Sophie Lenette, conducted due diligence, advised on Mauritian law compliance, reviewed the shareholders’ agreement, and drafted the company’s constitution.
The transaction is currently ongoing.
The firm welcomed Davina
Boodnah and Sandya
Booluck to the team in September 2024 and Alyssa De Luca
Lahmidi in December 2024. Martine de
Fleuriot de la
Colinière retired from the firm in February 2025.
Sun Limited; Marubeni Corporation; PPC Enterprises; TNT Co Ltd; Sanlam Allianz
“We appreciate the way they dealt with people, their expert advice, their commitment.” (Private Equity)
“I really appreciated working with ENS Mauritius. The team was swift and responsive, even during the December holiday period when timelines were tight. Their due diligence proposal was comprehensive and economical, and they consistently went the extra mile when
required.”
(Project Finance)
“What stood out most
about ENS Mauritius
was their ability to take ownership and take the lead, especially in areas where the borrower’s counsel fell short. This proactive approach gave us confidence that key issues were being
properly managed and kept the transaction moving forward.” (Project Finance)
“Anne Sophie Lenette is serious, proactive and
an expert in her way of tackling matters.” (Private Equity)
“Chavi
Gonpot is very responsive and swift.” (Project Finance)
Testimonials 2023/2024
"They are very accessible and flexible in meeting client demands." (Banking & Finance)
"Always responsive and helpful. They went well beyond what was necessary in order to satisfy the client on a long-running matter that had continued for far longer than anyone had originally expected." (Banking & Finance)
"The firm provides a prominent first-class legal work. " (Banking & Finance)
"Committed. Responsive. Technically sound." (M&A)
"Pragmatic." (Private Equity)
"Hardworking. Committed. Responsive."
Nashenta
Vuddamalay Zindel
"She is a pleasure to work with. Always responsive and meets all deadlines."
"Nashenta is customer focused while ensuring that all the legal bases are covered."
"Very responsive and sharp legal advice."
GlobaLex Chambers
Full service law firm GlobaLex is organised as a purely transactional law firm, which separates it from other Mauritian firms. Representing both domestic and international clients across all aspects of Mauritian law, the firm is active in banking and finance, capital markets, M&A, restructuring and insolvency and fund formation work.
Juristconsult Chambers
Juristconsult Chambers is a corporate law firm founded in 1989. The firm is a member of the DLA Piper Africa network.
The firm is led by
Nicolas Richard as managing partner of the firm.
Juristconsult Chambers advised ES-KO and
Phatisa, on the acquisition of International Facilities Services (IFS) from Development Partners International. Acting as local counsel, the team drafted and reviewed documentation for the subscription of shares and financing through loan agreements, reviewed the SPA, and reviewed governance documentation, including the constitution and shareholders’ agreements of the Mauritian target and other companies. The transaction closed in November 2024 and was led by Abdool Rahim
Salehmohamed.
The firm also
assisted the shareholders of la Prudence Holding Ltd with regards to the sale of
the majority of the shares held in la Prudence Holding Ltd.
The team, led by partner Nicholas Richard,
was responsible for explaining and discussing the rights and obligations of ten different clients under the SPA. They also
assisted individual clients through the signing process to ensure the deal closed in time.
The firm acted as local counsel and the transaction closed in July 2024.
ES-KO Group &
Phatisa;
The Shareholders of La Prudence Holding Ltd
“In respect of the M&A advice they are able to provide advice which works within the agreements they are provided with. This means that they are able to provide good, efficient advice which keeps the transaction moving forward. They are responsive and are reliable, which means I am able to commit to timelines with the client and know that they will be met.” (M&A)
“The team, led by
Adbool Rahim
Salehmohamed, is very practical in performing their due diligence review, understanding what
is material to the client and what aspects are good to know but are not transaction issues.” (M&A)
“Abdool Rahim
Salehmohamed is English law qualified and practiced in the UK for
a very long time.
Accordingly, his knowledge of English law transactions means he
is able to advise very well within a broader M&A workstream. He is practical and finds solutions which work within a broad transaction structure which is pivotal in keeping momentum up and transactions running smoothly.” (M&A)
Madun Gujadhur Chambers
Madun Gujadhur Chambers is active in financial and corporate work, particularly inbound African M&A and investment funds deals for international clients. The firm has worked for borrowers on loan facilities and advised private equity funds on launching funds in Mauritius.
Venture Law
Venture Law is a corporate law firm founded in 1980 and is a member of ALFA International. The firm has strength in financial and corporate work with a focus on M&A, capital markets,
restructuring and insolvency and project financing.
Venture Law acted as lead counsel for a Russian bank on a banking transaction.
Acting as lead counsel, the team advised and negotiated on complex facility agreements, security agreements, and security sharing agreements. The transaction involved several subsidiaries of an Indian multinational corporation. The transaction closed in October 2024 and was led by Sameer K Tegally.
The firm also advised and negotiated a share purchase agreement in relation to the client’s sale of its 100% in a company holding several trademarks in Middle East and North Africa. The transaction closed in August 2024 and was led by Sameer K Tegally.
Appleby
Appleby is the Mauritanian presence of the global law firm of the same name. The firm is led by managing director Malcolm Moller and is based in Port Louis.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a focus on banking work.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Jindal Steel & Power Mauritius.
Benoit Chambers
Benoit Chambers is a full-service law firm founded by Clarel Benoit in 1994.
Focusses / specialism
The firm is a strong player in both the financial and corporate and project development practice areas. Specifically, within financial and corporate the firm has a particular focus on debt capital markets and M&A transactions.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Carlyle Group, Microsoft Indian Ocean Islands, Africa Finance Corporation, Mizuho (Switzerland), Soros Economic Development Fund, The Bank of New York Mellon, Bank of Singapore, Bank Julius Baer, Kedaara, State Street, Booking.com, LBrands, The Rockfeller Foundation, The Bill & Belinda Gates Foundation, Absa, Mauritius Financial Services Commission, Bank of Mauritius, IBL, Afrasia Bank and The Lux Collective.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period the firm was active in the banking, capital markets debt, financial services regulatory, investment funds, M&A, project finance and restructuring and insolvency practice areas.
In banking the firm’s work focused on lending and debt restructuring work for lenders in the banking and financial services sectors.
In capital markets debt the firm worked on both bond and note issuances for issuers for clients in the banking and financial services sectors.
In financial services regulatory the firm offered regulatory advice to clients in the financial services sector.
In investment funds the firm’s work focused on investment fund formation.
In M&A the firm worked on acquisitional, share transfer and merger work for buyers and sellers in diverse industry sectors including the manufacturing, financial services and professional services sectors.
In project finance the firm worked on financing projects for clients in the infrastructure sector.
In restructuring and insolvency, the firm worked on corporate restructurings for clients in private equity and financial services.
Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Axian Telecom $430million senior notes issue
Carlyle Group $4.5 billion financing
Cim Financial Services MauR500 million green bond issue
Saint-Gobain Development Sub-Saharan Africa €4.7 million acquisition of a Mauritian entity
SEACOM $90 million refinancing
SilverNova $40 million acquisition of 100% of BanyanTree Bank
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Capital markets : Debt
"Very professional, experienced, and an ability to work to a tight timelines."
Capital markets : Equity
"Highly skilled and experienced lawyers both at senior partner and principal associate/junior partner levels. Their experience was invaluable with regards to negotiation points."
Capital markets : High yield
"Professional, responsive, reliable advice."
Financial services regulatory
"Excellent knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of the various pensions-related legislation."
"Comprehensive advice; pragmatic approach; swift action."
M&A
"Diligent, prompt, knowledgeable and highly engaged throughout the M&A process."
Anjeev Hurry
"Very professional, commercial and knowledgeable."
"Diligent, hard-working and very responsive turnaround."
Nadeem Lallmamode
"Hard working, diligent, prompt, responsive and highly skilled."
"Knowledgeable and a good listener."
Rishi Pursem
"Learned practitioner, an eye for detail, solution-oriented."
CMS Prism – in association with CMS
CMS Prism – in association with CMS is a Mauritanian law firm established by founding director Johanne Hague and is based in Ebene.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a focus on financing work.
Key clients
Loinette Capital Limited, Xanara Investment Management and ACM Limited
Dentons
Dentons is the Mauritanian office of the international firm of the same name. Dentons in Mauritius was formed through a successful combination between Dentons, Mardemootoo Solicitors and Balgobin Chamber. The office is led by Sivakumaren (Robin) Mardemootoo and is based in Port Louis.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a focus on M&A and banking & finance.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Facility for Energy Inclusion Africa, Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Air Asia Mauritius, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.
Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Financial services regulatory
"Everything they assisted with was at a very high level."
Investment funds
"Quick response time, direct on points, knowledgeable on the subject"
"Responsive and clear on aspects of Mauritius law which relate to a Mauritius fund."
Eversheds Sutherland
Eversheds Sutherland is the Mauritanian presence of the international firm of the same name, and which opened in Mauritius in 2009. The firm is based in Port Louis.
Eversheds Sutherland is a global law firm led by Chief Executive Lee Ranson and is specifically present in over 30 countries in Africa.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a focus on M&A.
Orison Legal
Orison Legal was created by the merger of two firms in Mauritius – Legis Consult Law Chambers and 5 Fifteen Barrister.
Focusses / specialism
The firm has a focus on financial and corporate work with a particular specialism for both debt and corporate restructuring work.
Key clients
Key clients include CIM Financial Services Ltd, Ebene Square, Allianz Services Mauritius, Union des Chambres de Commerce et d’industrie de l’Océan Indien, Vacances Plus Limited
Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period the firm was active in banking, M&A and restructuring and insolvency.
In banking the firm’s work focused on debt restructuring and refinancing for creditors in the banking and oil and gas sectors.
In M&A the firm worked on acquisition work for clients in the banking and financial services sectors.
In restructuring and insolvency, the firm worked on corporate restructuring and insolvency proceedings for clients.
Partner Tania Li joined the firm while Partner Nicholas Ng departed the firm during the research period.
Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Air Mauritius Restructuring
PLCJ
PLCJ is an international law firm founded in 2007 by Mathilde Parent Lagesse. The firm is based in Tamarin.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a focus on M&A work.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Phoenix Beverages, Scott Investment, Dimomix, Compass Venture Capital, Omnicane Management and Consultancy, Inside Capital Partners, Forges Tardieu and Edena.
Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
M&A
"We found the PLCJ team to be: 1. Supportive in helping us identifying issues; and 2. Swift in providing its deliverables. The team made us feel like our expectations are its priority. Client focus combined with experience and humility sets this firm apart from other firms we worked with in the past."
"They are well informed on the various mechanisms and laws on different jurisdictions, and they are very efficient in keeping themselves up to date in terms of innovation and best practices benchmark."
Uteem Chambers
Uteem Chambers is a domestic corporate firm founded by Muhammad Reza Uteem.
Focusses / specialism
The firm is equally strong in the financial and corporate and project development practice areas. Within these practice areas the firm focuses on bank lending work and providing regulatory advice and assistance.
Key clients
Key clients include Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, Essar, YES Bank, Golden Agri-Resources, United States International Development Finance Corporation.
Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Bank lending: Lender side
"UC is a very dynamic and pro-active law firm. They are absolutely prompt in their response. They are courteous. They provide expert advice on Mauritian laws. They explain the implications under Mauritian jurisdiction extremely clearly. This results in customer delight."
