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 a strong player in both the financial and corporate practice area. Specifically, within financial and corporate practice area, the firm has a particular focus on debt capital markets where it advises financial services companies in Mauritius on subscription for convertible bonds. The firm also advises on corporate rescue transactions.
Key clients include The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation HSBC (Mauitius), Trade and Development Bank (TDB), Banque Pictet & Cie, HSBC (Mauritius), BCP Bank (Mauritius), State Bank of India (SBI) Mauritius, AfrAsia Bank, Habib Bank (Mauritius), MauBank, State Bank (Mauritius), Grant Thornton (Mauritius), Mazars, Sanne Mauritius, Dynamic India Fund, Air Mauritius and Liquid Telecommunications Holdings.
Research period review:
33rd edition (2023/2024)
In financial and corporate the firm
mainly advised a financial services company on subscription for convertible bonds and corporate rescue transactions for Air Mauritius. The firm was particularly active in the aviation and financial services industries.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
“Very helpful and always provide
accurate legal advice/legal opinion. They are very responsive and have a quick
turn around time."
“They handle legal matters in a very professional manner and always provide helpful and prompt advice to us.”
“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 strong practice in both financial and corporate work and project development transactions. Within these areas the firm has a particular focus on bank lending and acquisitional transactions for clients in financial services.
The firm’s key clients include
Actis, Happy World Property, Ciel Properties, African Rainbow Capital Investments,
The Mauritius Commercial Bank, Two Futures, MCB Capital Markets, IBL Group, AEGIDE DOMITYS, Emerging Capital Partners Investments, Vivo Energy, Red Rocket, Metro CaF,
Qatar National Bank, Green Yellow Indian Ocean, Hyvec Partners, Lavien Group, Medine Group, W.P. Carey, Swan Group, Grit Real Estate Income Group, IHS Towers, Beijing Construction Engineering Group and AXYS Group.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
During the research period the firm was active in banking,
debt and equity
capital markets, financial services regulatory, investment funds, M&A and project finance.
In banking the firm
assisted in acquisition financing work
for mandated lead arrangers in the banking and financial services sectors.
In capital markets debt the firm worked on bond and note issuances for clients related to financial services.
In capital markets equity the firm worked primarily on IPO and secondary issues for client in the technology sector.
In financial services regulatory the firm
provided regulatory advice related to several areas for clients in the banking and financial services sectors.
In investment funds the firm focused on
assisting with fund formation work.
In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions and mergers for buyers and sellers in the technology, construction and real estate sectors.
In project finance the firm worked on financing work for clients related to the oil and gas sector.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
1k1v Funding Solutions ZAR160 million financing
Ascencia MauR150 million refinancing
CIMB Bank $63 million financing
LOLC Holdings MauR150 million acquisition of entire share capital of PL Resort
Norsad capital $7 million financing
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
“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.”
“Very professional with
good communication. Always available when
required.”
“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.”
“Negotiation strategy. Draft SPA to incorporate provisions specific to the transaction.”
“They produced the SPA and advised on final phase of negotiations to conclude the SPA.”
“Responsive, flexible, pragmatic.”
“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.”
"Very knowledgeable on Mauritius law and therefore the quality of work output is consistently great, and they have
very good turnaround times.”
"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."
“They are responsive, reachable, thorough, knowledgeable on banking/security matters and aware of market standards.”
“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.
Focusses / specialism
The firm has a particular specialism in investment fund formation as well as acquisition transactions and bank lending work.
Key clients
The firm has advised Absa Bank, The Mauritius Commercial Bank, World Bank, Apex Group, Vivo Energy, Novastar Ventures, TIDE Africa, Investec, Nedbank, Standard Chartered Bank, Everstone Capital, Gateway Real Estate, Adenia Partners and FirstRand Bank.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period the firm was active in banking, debt capital markets, investment funds, M&A and project development.
In banking the firm worked on domestic and cross border lending and debt restructuring transactions for borrowers and lenders from a wide variety of sectors including banking, technology and financial services.
In debt capital markets the firm worked on note issuances for clients in the technology sector.
In investment funds the firm worked on fund formation work for clients.
In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions for buyers and sellers in the telecommunication, financial services, renewables, real estate, tourism and technology sectors.
Partners Gilles Athaw and Rajiv Gujadhur joined the firm during the research period.
Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Armada Metals Pty $400 million acquisition of Armada Exchange
Innodis MauR800 million notes issues
Invicta Offshore Holdings $25 million financing
Invicta Global Holdings €6 million financing
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Capital markets : Debt
"Quality of service, speed of execution and expertise."
Financial services regulatory
"Quality service."
M&A
"Professional, always seeking to clearly understand the commercial terms/requirements and accurately integrate it in the agreements. Very responsive."
Private equity
"Responsive, clear and good quality."
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."
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.
The firm has a particular focus on financial and corporate transactions and within this they have a particular specialism in lending work for banks and financial institutions.
The firm has developed relationships with TNS Tobacco Company,
Amethis Fund,
Semaris, MCB Group, ENL Group, Swan Group, IBL Group, EY, Ciel Group, BDO & Co, Bank One,
Afrasia Bank, Weston Group
International, The Mauritius Commercial Bank, Puma Energy Group,
Abenex,
Akzonobel Netherlands,
Tensai Property Services, VTB International, VISA International, Orange, Google, African Export Import Bank, FMO, and Groupe Sipromad.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period the firm was active in the banking, M&A,
investment funds, debt capital markets,
project finance and restructuring and insolvency practice areas.
In banking the firm’s work largely focused on loan transactions for both borrowers and lenders, with a lean in clients towards lenders, from a wide variety of industries including banking, financial services and funds.
The firm’s debt capital markets practice focused mainly on notes issuance for financial services sector.
In investment funds the firm advised on fund formation.
In M&A the firm focused on acquisitional and joint venture transactions mainly for buyers associated with the banking, financial services, retail and wholesale, and healthcare sectors.
In project finance the firm provided financing for clients linked to banking and financial services linked clients.
In restructuring and insolvency, the firm was active in corporate restructuring work for clients associated with healthcare.
Partner Elsie
Rasolohery Pascal left the firm during the research period.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
"They are very accessible and flexible in meeting client demands."
"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."
"The firm provides a prominent first-class legal work. "
"Committed. Responsive. Technically sound."
"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."
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 has a strong practice in both financial and corporate and project development work in Mauritius. Within these categories the firm focuses on bank lending work and investment funds.
Key clients include
Okiyo Maritime
CorpAccenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, AerCap Ireland, PROPARCO, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Clifford Chance, Warburg Pincus, United States International Development Finance Corporation,
Huawei and Standard Bank .
Research period review:
33rd edition (2023/2024)
During the research period the firm was active in banking, investment funds, M&A and project finance practice areas.
In banking the firm worked on lending work and financial restructuring work, for both lenders and borrowers in the banking and financial services sectors.
In financial services regulatory the firm offered regulatory advice to clients connected to governments and the outsourcing industry.
In investment funds the firm worked on fund formation and fund structuring work for fund sector clients.
In M&A the firm worked on share transfer work for clients connected to the financial services and construction sector.
In project finance the firm’s work focused on financing projects for clients in the banking and infrastructure spaces.
Venture Law
Venture Law is a corporate law firm founded in 1980 and is a member of ALFA International.
Focusses / specialism
The firm has a particular strength in financial and corporate work with an emphasis on M&A related work and for private equity firms in M&A related deals but also in other practice matters too.
Key clients
Key Clients include International Finance Corporation, Sequoia Capital, Tata Group, Credit Suisse, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Investec Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Barclays Bank.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period the firm was active in banking and M&A.
In banking worked on a financing transaction.
In M&A, the firm has worked on acquisitional transaction.
Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Nippon Steel Corporation $763 million acquisition of shares in Asia Credit Opportunities and Link Capital
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."
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.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Apex Group, Sanlam International Trustees and Iron Pillar Group.
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, Silver Bank, Cartwheel Investments, FinnFund, Standard Bank Mauritius, Allianz Services Mauritius, Mauritius Duty Free Paradise, National Property Fund Limited, Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, Norscot Group, Grant Thornton Mauritius, Quantuma Mauritius and Development Bank of Mauritius
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."
Prism Chambers
Prism Chambers 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.
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 international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, inter-governmental organizations and professional advisers including leading international law and accountancy firms.
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."
