Ferchiou & associés > Tunis, Tunisia > Firm Profile

Ferchiou & associés Offices

Ferchiou & associés
34 PLACE DU 14 JANVIER 2011
1001 TUNIS
Tunisia
Visit website 216 71 120 500 216 71 350 028

Ferchiou & associés > The Legal 500 Rankings

Tunisia > Banking and finance Tier 1

A key destination for domestic and global lenders, Ferchiou & associés' wide-ranging banking and finance offering encompasses in-depth knowledge of asset finance, syndicated loans and credit facilities. The team’s firm grasp of the local regulatory landscape is highlighted by its work as local counsel for the EBRD and the African Development Bank on major financing projects. Senior managing partner Noureddine Ferchiou has a strong record in transactional work. He leads the practice alongside Omar Ferchiou, who frequently assists international financial institutions with issues such as the drafting of Tunisian security documents, and competition law expert Rym Ferchiou.

Practice head(s):

Noureddine Ferchiou; Omar Ferchiou; Rym Ferchiou

Key clients

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Invest International B.V.

Gamma Civic Ltd

African Development Bank (AfDB)

International Finance Corporation

Agence Française de Développement

Proparco

Work highlights

  • Advised Invest International B.V. on local aspects of the provision of a €40m loan facility to greenhouse horticultural company, Agro Care.
  • Advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on local aspects regarding the increase of its financing granted to Land’Or Maroc Industries.

Tunisia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Multinational corporations from sectors such as pharma, automotive and energy seek out Ferchiou & associés for assistance with corporate and M&A work including local aspects of joint ventures, mergers and private equity investments. Commercial mandates ranging from the negotiation of commercial leases to the drafting of distribution agreements are further areas of strength. Omar Ferchiou, praised for his ‘solid international background’ heads up the team alongside Noureddine Ferchiou  and Rym Ferchiou, who is well versed in local regulatory constraints surrounding cross-border acquisitions.

Practice head(s):

Noureddine Ferchiou; Omar Ferchiou; Rym Ferchiou

Testimonials

‘The team is able to assist international clients in English and French meeting the standards that are generally required by the best practices.’

‘Omar Ferchiou has a solid international background, a primary experience in Tunisian law matters and the ability to represent clients before local authorities.’

 

Key clients

BioNTech SE

Eni Group

Ford Motor Company

CMA CGM S.A.

Emirates Cable TC and Multimedia LLC

Transmec Group

Work highlights

  • Advised BioNTech SE with local matters in regard to its acquisition of instadeep.
  • Advised Eni Group with local matters in regard to its partnership with Snam for gas pipelines between Algeria and Italy.
  • Advised Transmec Group with local matters in regard to its acquisition of TNA Cargo.

Tunisia > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Ferchiou & associés > Firm Profile

With over 30 years of experience in providing legal counsel and assistance, Ferchiou & Associés is recognized as a leading firm in Tunisia. The firm has been consistently involved in the country’s high-profile projects, whether in terms of investment or complexity and is well known for its negotiation skills. Clients range from international corporations and investors seeking to develop a business activity on the Tunisian market to active local groups seeking assistance in relation to their project development on the Tunisian market as well as overseas.

Noureddine Ferchiou, founder and managing partner, has over 30 years of governmental and institutional expertise with exceptional professional knowledge of the country’s challenges and ongoing business and legal opportunities.

Omar and Rym Ferchiou were both made partner in 2018.

Omar advises local and international companies on the legal aspects of their investments and projects in Tunisia and specializes in mergers & acquisitions, banking & finance, oil and gas, renewable energies, IT and telecommunications.

Rym heads the corporate department and provides assistance on all aspects of business law, focusing on mergers & acquisitions and corporate reorganization. She has also developed extensive expertise in other fields such as banking and finance, foreign exchange, tax, stock exchange and competition law.

With partners ranging from different backgrounds and holding a variety of expertise, clients draw upon the skills of the country’s most connected, respected and integrated law firm.

Transactional highlights
Mergers and acquisitions: Recent transactional highlights:

  • Legal assistance to Orange in relation to a merger control notification with the Tunisian authorities regarding the acquisition by a consortium of investors of Orange Concessions.
  • Legal counsel to Britus Education in relation to the acquisition of a majority stake in a local school.
  • Legal assistance to the group Italcostar in relation to its acquisition of the company, Renomoteurs.
  • Legal assistance to Sotualem and shareholders in the frame of the company’s acquisition by major Finnish company specialising in elevators, escalators and automatic, Koné.
  • Legal counsel, in terms of merger control, to Volkswagen AG for the creation of a Joint-Venture with Ford Motors Company dedicated to the development of autonomous vehicles.
  • Legal counsel, in terms of merger control, to Peugeot SA for the merger and combination of its respective business with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Banking and finance: Recent transactional highlights:

  • Local counsel for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in relation to a loan of up to EUR 10 million to Land’Or SA, a Tunisian company listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange and specialized in cheese production.
  • Legal advisor to European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in relation to an unsecured loan of up to EUR 5 million granted Arab Tunisian Lease (ATL).
  • Legal assistance to the Arab Bank in connection with a term loan agreement of USD 50 million granted to the Société Tunisienne des Industries de Raffinage (STIR).
  • Legal assistance to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for a senior unsecured loan of up to EUR 5 million granted in two tranches to Compagnie Internationale de Leasing. (CIL).

Litigation: The firm is a leading firm in the litigation sector, offering its services to a wide variety of clients, ranging from legal entities and private individuals in civil, commercial and criminal litigation. It also offers its services in arbitration and dispute resolution. Recent transactional highlights:

  • Legal assistance and representation of PSA and Citroen Automobiles in relation to litigation before the Competition Council in respect of anti-competition practices (allegations of economic dependence – abuse of dominant position – merger).
  • Legal assistance of Air Liquide Tunisie in relation to the investigative process conducted by the Competition Council regarding the pricing of industrial gases.
  • Legal counsel to Thomas Cook in relation to its wind-up process.
  • Legal counsel to the Emirates group Bukhatir in relation to its investment agreement concluded with the Tunisian State.
  • Defending the Libyan Foreign Bank (LFB) in a commercial litigation relating to a documentary credit valued at US$ 250,000,000.

Energy and renewable energies: Ferchiou & Associés is a market leader in the energy industry offering its expertise in relation to renewable energies projects, it also assists its clients in relation to transfer of oil and gas assets, due diligence and regulatory compliance. Recent transactional highlights:

  • Legal advisor of the Tunisian Ministry of Energy in relation with the preparation of the new code of renewable energy.
  • Legal advisor of the Ministry of energy in relation with preparation of a study to provide a diagnostic study of the land component relating to projects for the production of electricity from renewable energies and the proposal of solutions to promote said projects.
  • Legal advisor to lenders financing the renewable energy project performed by Scatec and the consortium Engie/Nareva in Tunisia under the concession regime.
  • Legal advisor to the Consortium formed between the “Tunisian Oil Activities Company” ETAP and Eni Italy for the realization of a 10 MW photovoltaic power plant in the Tataouine region under the authorization scheme.

Retail and commercial real estate: Recent transactional highlights:

  • Legal assistance to Indigo Property S.A in the review and negotiation of contractual documents for the establishment of Joint Ventures dedicated to the development of urban high standing malls in various regions of the country.

Hospitality: The firm has been involved in the assistance of hotel operators, constructors and owners in relation to their business development in Tunisia. Clients included brands and franchisors (Hilton, Mövenpick, Radisson, Marriott…).

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Omar Ferchiou o.ferchiou@ferchioulaw.com +216 71 120 500

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Noureddine Ferchiou photo Mr Noureddine Ferchiou Founding partner of Ferchiou & associés, Nourredine Ferchiou has over thirty years… View Profile
Rym Ferchiou photo Mrs Rym Ferchiou Rym is a Partner at Ferchiou & Associés law firm. She started… View Profile
Omar Ferchiou photo Mr Omar Ferchiou Omar is a Partner at Ferchiou & Associés law firm. He started… View Profile

Staff Figures

Number of partners : 3
Number of lawyers : 20

Languages

Arabic
English
French
Italian

Memberships

Gesica
Nextlaw Global Referral Network

Notable Cases


  • Assistance to the Tunisian Government in the oil and gas sector:
    In 2019, Ferchiou & Associés had the opportunity to participate in the project for the renewal of the contract of sale/purchase of Algerian natural gas intended for the Italian market, via the Tunisian territory. This project, according to the statements of the Minister of Industry, Energy, Mines and SMEs, will strengthen the state’s treasury in annual revenues of about 500 million Dinars. 
  • Bond issuances:
    The firm assisted Natixis, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank in relation to a €700m bond completed by the Tunisian Central Bank (“CBT”) acting on behalf of the Republic of Tunisia. 
  • Withdrawal of BNP Paribas from Tunisia:
    Legal assistance to BNP PARIBAS for the sale of its stake in UBCI. 
  • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) financing:
    Throughout 2019, the firm had the opportunity to assist and advise the European Development and Restructuring Bank in the framework of several financings granted by the bank to Tunisian leasing institutions (CIL, ATL, TLF) and microfinance institutions (ADVANS). 
  • PROPARCO financing:
    The firm acted as legal counsel to PROPARCO in connection with a €12m financing for Compagnie Internationale de Leasing (CIL). 
  • Hospitality:
    The firm has been involved in the assistance of hotel operators, constructors and owners in relation to their business development in Tunisia. Clients included brands and franchisors (Hilton, Mövenpick, Radisson, Marriott, etc). 
  • Urban Projects Development:
    Ferchiou & Associés acted as Legal counsel in relation to the negotiation and signing of a joint development agreement between Indigo group, a major local retail group and Société de Promotion du Lac de Tunis (“SPLT”), a State-owned entity which manages the development of the Lake region of Tunis, Les Berges du Lac, for the co-development of an urban and commercial project over 5 hectares including mix-use facilities, a business hotel and a high-standing mall.