Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution

The team at KF Law Firm is well-equipped to handle high profile disputes, across a variety of sectors, including transport and real estate. The group, which was founded by Fayçal Kadiri, is noted for its vast knowledge of receivables recovery services and the public lighting industry.

Dispute resolution in Morocco

Bennani & Associés

The team at Bennani & Associésis noted for its broad expertise which spans the full spectrum of disputes. The group frequently acts in litigation and arbitration, and often engages in alternative dispute resolution for major multinational companies and law firms across Morocco and the broader North African region. Abdellah Moustaid leads the practice, having recently handled a range of high-profile antitrust matters in the telecommunications industry. Promoted to partner in June 2023,  Mahdi Yamnahaddou routinely appears before both commercial and labour courts, having recently acted for Daewoo Engineering & Construction in enforcement procedures relating to the construction of power plant projects. Nihma El Gachbour is noted for her vast knowledge of compensation claims and enforcement actions.

Practice head(s):

Abdellah Moustaid


Other key lawyers:

Mahdi Yamnahaddou; Nihma El Gachbour


Testimonials

‘Mahdi Bennani and his team stand out in the African market for being both excellent on substance and very responsive. They are also much more entrepreneurial and business-minded than their local competitors.’

‘Good technical level and good customer service. They are far superior to the usual legal service in Morocco.’

‘Bennani & Associés  have been assisting us with several Moroccan dispute matters over the past two years, and they are great.’

Key clients

Adidas


Carlyle


Casatram SA


Dell Group


Itissalat Al Maghrib


Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Morocco


Samsung Construction & Trading Corporation


TUI Fly


Compagnie Privée Véroche


Crimidesa Maroc S.A


Daewoo Engineering & Construction


Imkan Maroc


Iqvia Maroc


Lanco Maroc


Middle East Radio Television Morocco


Motion Picture Association


Nurol Insaat ve Ticaret A.S.


Pilot Freight Services


SPT


ST Microelectronics SA Morocco


Total Wind Maroc


Work highlights


  • Representing Itissalat Al Maghrib before the Moroccan Commercial Court of Rabat in a litigation initiated by another telecoms operator, WANA, seeking €600m in compensation for alleged anti-competitive practices.
  • Representing Itissalat Al Maghrib before the Appellate Court of Rabat in an appeal made in Morocco, filed against an administrative decision of ANRT (the Moroccan telecommunications authority), concerning a €245m penalty levelled at IAM.
  • Representing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Morocco in commercial arbitration proceedings against its former distributor, Stokvis Automotive S.A.

Naciri & Associés Allen & Overy

Naciri & Associés Allen & Overy’s team expertly navigates a vast array of disputes, and is bolstered by the support provided by the firm's global network. The team acts for a diverse client base, which notably includes the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). Working out of the Casablanca office, Yassir Ghorbal leads the team with his wealth of experience in OHADA law. Hicham Naciri co-leads the team, is the managing partner of the Casablanca office, and is well-versed in arbitration procedures under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. Naoufal Achergui has deep experience in a broad range of civil, commercial, and corporate disputes, regularly acting for clients before arbitration tribunals.

Practice head(s):

Hicham Naciri; Yassir Ghorbal


Other key lawyers:

Naoufal Achergui; Abdellah Regragui


Key clients

Federation Royale Marocaine de Football


Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Pêche Maritime du Développement Durable et des Eaux et Forêts – Département de la Pêche


Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Pêche Maritime du Développement Durable et des Eaux et Forêts – Département de l’Agriculture


Fives Group


Madaëf


Wilaya de Casablanca


SMT


AMMC


Moroccan state


Work highlights


Afrique Advisors

Afrique Advisors regularly acting for clients in international litigation and arbitrations, the group often represents states, and both state and private entities in international and cross-border disputes in collaboration with Mayer Brown. Laila Slassi heads the practice, and is particularly adept at advising Moroccan banks and private equity funds. Maroua Alouaoui stands out for her specialist knowledge of international commercial arbitration and business litigation under international and European law.

Practice head(s):

Laila Slassi


Other key lawyers:

Maroua Alouaoui


Testimonials

‘Excellent knowledge of the local legal and judicial environment.’

Laila Slassi is a highly committed and commercially minded partner.’

 

Key clients

Kingdom Of Morocco


Brookstone Partners International


Edgeboro International Inc


Work highlights


  • Acted for the Kingdom of Morocco in arbitration proceedings introduced by a German company concerning its investment in Morocco.
  • Represented environmental construction firm Edgeboro International, in disputes against its co-shareholder relating to its subsidiaries in Morocco.

Bassamat & Laraqui

Bassamat & Laraqui stand out for their distinctive focus on disputes concerning the real estate, and banking and finance sectors. The team is noted for its strong focus on debt recovery, restructuring, insolvency, and the enforcement of court decisions. Bassamat Fassi-Fihri leads the practice alongside Asma Laraqui. Fassi-Fihri routinely appears before commercial, civil, criminal, and administrative courts in Morocco, and Laraqui is noted for her broad experience in international arbitration and disciplinary proceedings instigated by administrative authorities.

Practice head(s):

Bassamat Fassi-Fihri; Asma Laraqui


Testimonials

‘Outstanding practice at all levels.’

‘Trustworthy, efficient, reliable.’

‘Bassamat & Laraqui is an outstanding company. They do their best to respond to their clients’ requirements. Their efficiency is unquestionable.’

Key clients

Aluminium du Maroc


Avis Maroc


Bank of Africa


Banque Centrale Populaire


City Bus Transport


Cosmos Electro


Crédit Agricole du Maroc


Crédit du Maroc


Crédit du Maroc Factoring


Credit Immobilier et Hotelier


Distra


EPC Groupe


Fives FCB


Maroc Leasing


Mafoder Group


JESA


Locasom


North Africa Tobacco Company


Office du Tourisme


Promotion Service Diffusion


RAM Handling


Risma


Sefamar


Wafa Assurance


Work highlights


  • Advised Banque Populaire de Fes-Meknes on drafting a debt restructuring protocol, securing proper documentation for proposed securities, and successfully enforcing guarantees, recovering 168m MAD.
  • Advising Cosmos Electro on a lease dispute over non-compliant guarantees, engaging ICC Morocco for arbitration-based suretyship nullification.

UGGC Africa

UGGC Africa  leverages its pan-African network across Morocco, Cameroon, and the Ivory Coast, in addition to collaborating with the firm’s Paris office to assist its diverse client base. Practice head Ali Bougrine divides his time between Casablanca and Paris, and has vast experience acting as both an arbitrator and clients across southern Africa. Laurent Sablé is another key player within the team, specialising in international arbitration. Jean-Jacques Uettwiller routinely works between Brussels, Paris, and Casablanca, and is recommended for his strong focus on asset management and arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Ali Bougrine


Other key lawyers:

Laurent Sablé; Jean-Jacques Uettwiller


Key clients

LafargeHolcim


Work highlights


Bakouchi & Habachi - HB Law Firm LLP

The team at Bakouchi & Habachi - HB Law Firm LLP is well-versed in representing clients in commercial litigation and arbitrations. The practice is jointly led by Salima Bakouchi and Kamal Habachi. Bakouchi has strong experience in representing clients in matters concerning forfeiture of debt, liability, and fraud, and Habachi often acts in arbitrations and matters concerning trademark infringement and non-compete matters.

Practice head(s):

Salima Bakouchi; Kamal Habachi


Testimonials

‘Professional law firm and masters its field of expertise.’

Boulalf Mekkaoui Law Firm

Boulalf Mekkaoui Law Firm  is known for handling the full gamut of business law disputes, with a strong focus on exequatur procedures and cases concerning commercial operations. Founding partner and team co-head Abdelatif Boulalf has extensive experience in both domestic and international commercial arbitrations. Fellow co-head Ahlam Mekkaoui specialises in alternative dispute resolution, and is noted for her deep knowledge of corporate and commercial, IP and data protection law.

Practice head(s):

Abdelatif Boulalf; Ahlam Mekkaoui


Work highlights


EAR & Co

EAR & Co, previously known as El Amari & Rouissi, is particularly adept at acting in litigation stemming from insolvency and restructuring proceedings in both Morocco and overseas. The team is led by the 'very smart' Mariam Rouissi and Mohieddine El Amari, who both specialise in commercial disputes, often representing international clients before the Commercial Court of Casablanca. The group notably handles a range of commercial disputes across a range of industries, including waste management, real estate and logistics.

Practice head(s):

Mariam Rouissi; Mohieddine El Amari


Testimonials

‘EAR & CO. is both active in litigation and transactional work. The can provide very good and responsive assistance on their domestic market.’

‘Mariam Rouissi is very efficient doing litigation. She is very smart and responsive. She is result oriented with great communication skills.’

 

Key clients

Agility


ARMA Casablanca


SCI Paranfa Sports


Work highlights