December 2012

1) Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC), 6th-7th December

This forum aims to deepen the China-Africa legal cooperation and to push forward the development of the new China-Africa Strategic Partnership.

Organised by the Government of Mauritius in collaboration with the China Law Society, the floor shall be taken by several high calibre speakers such as the Hon. Y. K. J. Yeung Sik Yuen, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mauritius and Mr. Cheng Jiping, Executive Vice- President of the China Law Society.

Marc Hein, Head of Practice of Juristconsult Chambers, shall address the floor on the 2nd day of the forum on the future of arbitration within the Mauritius International Financial Centre.

2) Mauritius International Arbitration Centre 2012 (MIAC), 10th-11th December

The second Mauritius International Arbitration Conference marks the successful continuation of the creation of a new platform in the region for international commercial and investment arbitration by the Government of Mauritius and leading arbitral institutions.

This conference, with a special focus on Africa, shall provide dynamic and critical engagement with the fundamental elements of international commercial and investor-state arbitration.  The panels shall reflect on key issues in this field, from the courts’ duty to stay proceedings in favour of arbitration to the management of regulatory risk.

Some of the speakers include the Hon. Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius and Mr. John Beechey, President of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. Ammar Oozeer, Priscilla Pattoo and Khemila Narraidoo, all barristers at Juristconsult Chambers, shall be actively participating in this high-profile conference.

This second edition of the round table on International Arbitration is organized by the Young Arbitrators Forum of the International Chamber of Commerce, the Young Group of the International Council For Commercial Arbitration and the LCIA Mauritius International Arbitration Centre.

It features several key-note speakers such as Honorable Lord Justice Aikens, Lord Justice of Appeal of England and Wales and Professor Charles Jarrosson, Professor of Law at the University of Panthéon-Assas, France and Editor In Chief of the Revue De L’Arbitrage.

Juristconsult Chambers is the exclusive sponsor of this event which shall be geared towards understanding and discussing the practical perspective on international arbitration procedures. Burty Francois, Ashwin Mudhoo and Anishah Aujayeb shall be the representatives of the firm during this event.

4) International Arbitration: A Workshop for Financial Professionals, 13th December

The LCIA- MIAC Arbitration Centre, in cooperation with the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius ( FSC ), is organizing this workshop on international arbitration. It shall feature expert international speakers and shall be aimed exclusively at professionals in the global business and international finance sectors. The workshop will be analyzing the promotion of Mauritius as an Arbitration center for Africa.

The workshop will provide an overview of international arbitration in practice and its importance in the Mauritian context.

Marc Hein, as Chairperson of the FSC, is actively involved in this endeavour of the Financial Services Commission. He shall be taking to the floor during the event and Shalinee Dreepaul-Halkhoree, barrister at Juristconsult Chambers shall also be present during this workshop.

5)   THEN FINALLY ON Competition law: The Competition Commission of Mauritius Workshop, 6th December

Organized by the Competition Commission of Mauritius, this workshop aims to provide insight into the various competition law issues. There shall be a special focus on the experience and the effectiveness of the South African’s Competition Commission. A panel of local and international experts in the fields of law, economics and business shall be present, including, notably, the Chairman of the Competition Commission of the United Kingdom.

Ammar Oozeer, barrister at Juristconsult Chambers, shall be participating in this workshop.

We are collaborating in the 18th Commonwealth Law Conference which shall be held in CapeTown- South Africa on the 14th till the 18th April 2013.

We wish to take this opportunity to wish the organizers and participants a successful and fruitful event.

Further information on the Conference can be found on: http://www.commonwealthlaw2013.org

IFLR1000 is the guide to the world’s leading financial law firms. Compiled by a team of dedicated specialist legal journalists based across the world, the IFLR1000 is the only publication of its kind to focus on the leading law firms for corporate finance worldwide.

This year’s review sees Juristconsult Chambers ranking amongst other high profile firms on the island. The review highlights some of our major deals throughout last year and some of our clients’ opinion on their experience with the firm. Below is the firm’s review:

“Juristconsult is best known for its litigation and banking practice, with managing partner Marc Hein praised by peers and clients alike for his ability in giving practical advice. One private banking client says: "Juristconsult Chambers has the expertise on banking and regulatory matters and we would prefer using them whenever it comes to banking." A peer agrees, "Marc Hein is the leading lawyer in the country. He has good understanding of Mauritius law and is applying that in a practical manner."

Following Hein's appointment as the Chairman of the Mauritius Financial Services Commission this year, the firm's other lawyers, Priscilla Pattoo-Mungur and Shalinee Dreepaul-Halkhoree, have taken a greater involvement in the firm's transactions. One client commenting on Dreepaul-Halkhoree says: "She has been very reliable. She's given us great confidence to rely on her on both litigation and general corporate matters."

The firm is also praised by clients for its communication, as one says: "Juristconsult does very good litigation work. We have a great comfort in relying on them on court cases. The lawyers are very responsive on our queries and they have maintained a good system keeping track of the communication with clients."

Deals

In the last year Priscilla Pattoo-Mungur has advised the Bank of Sarasin Alpen (ME), United Arab Emirates, on assessing the legal risks involving in financing a Mauritian customer under current regulations. Shalinee Dreepaul-Halkhoree meanwhile advised a consortium of banks on a $460 million loan facility. Bank of America, Citibank, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Standard Chartered, and Morgan Stanley were amongst the participating banks in the consortium, with Bank of America being the collateral agent on behalf of the other banks.”

Juristconsult Chambers thanks the IFLR1000 and all the clients for their participation in this year’s Review.

Juristconsult Chambers is pleased to announce that our Head of Practice, Mr. Marc Hein was recently appointed by the Honorable Prime Minister as Chairperson of the board of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius.

In consequence, Mr. Marc Hein has resigned as director of Juristconsult International & Co Ltd and of all other global business companies, licensees of the FSC.

 Juristconsult International & Co Ltd will restructure itself internally and be rebranded as JurisTax in the near future. Mr. Hein continues to act as barrister and Head of Practice of Juristconsult Chambers.

Juristconsult Chambers congratulates Mr. Marc Hein on his appointment and JurisTax in its new venture.

~ The Secretary, Juristconsult Chambers.