General Business Law: Seychelles

“One of the country's leading firms,” Kieran Bhogilal Shah is well known for its expertise in advising banks and counts international and regional banks such as Barclays and Mauritius Commercial Bank as clients; it also advises overseas investors. The three-partner team also undertakes litigation, handling both civil and commercial matters. Peers assert that the firm’s key assets are “its solid, long-standing reputation and its high-quality work.” The most active and prominent figure at the firm, Kieran Shah is highlighted by clients for his "extremely methodical approach and good negotiation skills.” Peers declare him “a remarkable colleague to whom work can be entrusted.”

A name to reckon with in the profession, this “reliable and deeply experienced” firm is particularly remarkable for land matters, according to peers. The team’s main focus is on advisory work, and clients assert that it is a go-to firm for files involving the government. The key figure here is Francis Chang-Sam, who is acclaimed as “an outstanding and knowledgeable lawyer who inspires great trust.”

This team of three partners and two associates is praised by peers for its “thoughtful approach, attention to detail and deep experience.” The workload is largely dominated by commercial property deals, and the lawyers’ solid reputation in this area has attracted instructions from local, regional and international clients. One recent highlight for the team was its involvement in the popular Eden Island project; it also undertakes a significant proportion of litigation in relation to commercial property. Peers declare that Pesi Pardiwalla's “name carries a lot of weight in the business – he is very thorough and hard-working.” Conrad Lablache is held in great esteem, and commended for his “high-quality advisory work and experience of international deals.”

Both clients and peers consider this well-reputed firm to be an obvious landmark in the legal landscape. Its broad offering encompasses real estate, tax and maritime law; the team is also fêted for its solid offshore practice. Founding partner Philippe Boullé is praised for his litigation prowess, especially in real estate and constitutional law; clients assert that “he is very approachable, experienced and effective in what he does.” The firm has recently been involved in the hotel and luxury villa sector, where it offers a complete service to both local and international clients. It typically handles planning permission and construction law issues, but is also able to assist clients with the financing of resorts.