The litigation team at Bennani & Associés focuses on serving major multinational companies and law firms in disputes throughout Morocco and the greater North African region. Services encompass the full range of contentious matters, including, litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. Key fields of focus include corporate and commercial, employment, financial services, debt and regulatory proceedings. Abdellah Moustaid leads the practice, handling high-end litigation and alternative dispute resolution surrounding commercial, administrative and public law. Mahdi Yamnahaddou also plays a key role in the practice.
Dispute resolution in Morocco
Bennani & Associés
Practice head(s):
Abdellah Moustaid
Other key lawyers:
Mahdi Yamnahaddou
Testimonials
‘I recommend the firm B&A for its attentive customer service, its agility in the work and its good technical level. I believe that their legal practice is comparable to that of the major European law firms.’
‘B&A’s lawyers respond to a standard of professionalism far superior to what we have seen in other local firms.’
‘They met all of our deadlines, conducted fruitful matters, and provided first-rate legal counsel.’
‘We collaborated with Mehdi Bennani and the team. They are considerate, quick to respond, proactive, knowledgeable, practical, and strategic.’
Key clients
Adidas
Carlyle
Dell Group
Etisalat
Samsung Construction & Trading Corporation
TUI Fly
Casatram SA (a subsidiary of RATP)
Crimidesa Maroc S.A
Daewoo Engineering & Construction
Imkan Maroc
Iqvia Maroc
Itissalat Al Maghrib (IAM)
Lanco Maroc
Compagnie Privée Véroche
Maphar
Middle East Radio Television Morocco (MRTM)
Pilot Freight Services
ST MICROELECTRONICS SA MOROCCO
Total Wind Maroc
Work highlights
- Successfully represented the Carlyle Group in seeking to have its rights recognised in the bankruptcy proceedings of the Moroccan refinery “SAMIR” to obtain the payment of $404 million debts owed to the client.
- Won the case for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Morocco in commercial arbitration proceedings opposite its former distributor, Stokvis Automotive S.A.
- Defended Itissalat Al Maghrib (IAM), the leading telecoms operator in Morocco, before the Moroccan Commercial Court of Rabat in a very complex and technical litigation initiated by another telecoms operator, WANA, to seek MAD 6 billion in compensation for alleged anti-competitive practices.
Naciri & Associés Allen & Overy
The dispute resolution team at Naciri & Associés Allen & Overy handles a wide range of disputes, both within Morocco and internationally, with the support of Allen & Overy’s global network. With strong capabilities in litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, the firm works in a broad spectrum of sectors, including construction, projects, water, engineering and finance. Yassir Ghorbal leads the team in Casablanca, having been involved in a number of high profile international arbitrations relating to construction, finance and commercial matters. Managing partner Hicham Naciri is another key name, with experience in international arbitration procedures.
Practice head(s):
Hicham Naciri; Yassir Ghorbal
Key clients
Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)
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 (Groupe CDG)
Wilaya de Casablanca (Regional authority of Casablanca)
Bassamat & Laraqui
The dispute resolution team at Bassamat & Laraqui is skilled in a variety of litigation, with a special emphasis on debt recovery, restructuring, insolvency and the enforcement of court decisions. Bassamat Fassi-Fihri represents clients across all levels of Moroccan court, as well as in international arbitrations. She co-leads the team alongside fellow founding partner Asma Laraqui, who advises companies and their management on all stages of the dispute resolution process.
Practice head(s):
Bassamat Fassi-Fihri; Asma Laraqui
Testimonials
‘The team is made up of lawyers and high-level executives and has a network of collaborators throughout the country. This cabinet is distinguished by its powerful operating system.’
‘The lawyers are competent in their respective fields.’
‘This firm is distinguished by its diversity and availability to support its clients, and its expertise that places it among the largest firms in the country.’
Key clients
Aluminium du Maroc
Amendis (Veolia Group)
Atlas Multiservices
Avis Maroc
Banque Centrale Populaire
Bank of Africa (BMCE)
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
Intelcia
JESA
Locasom (Budget Group)
North Africa Tobacco Company
Office du Tourisme
Office Scolaire Universitaire International (OSUI)
Promotion Service Diffusion
Risma (Accor Group)
RAM Handling
Royal Air Maroc
Sefamar
Servier Maroc
Silver Food
Talem Food Beverages
Valeo Maroc
Wafa Assurance
Wafa Bail
Wafa Immobilier
Work highlights
- Advised Cosmos Electro in a case of a domestic arbitration that has no precedent since Moroccan courts have never annulled an arbitral award.
- Advised City Bus Transport in an international arbitration case opposing the shareholders of a joint venture where the stakes are very high, namely the continuity of the joint venture as well as the financial stakes of Approximately 74.879.453,33 Pounds
- Assists Centrale Danone in its industrial and commercial property litigation as a victim of infringement. After an analysis of the plausible legal proceedings, it seemed that the only option left was to file for appeal in order to invalidate the registered trademark, the weakness of this case have to do with demonstrating the notoriety of the trademark
LPA-CGR
Working hand-in-hand with the firm’s offices in Paris, LPA-CGR‘s Casablanca team acts for domestic and international companies on litigation and arbitration arising from their dealings in Morocco. The team is particularly active in the health, automotive, hospitality and real estate sectors. The practice is co-led by real estate expert, Romain Berthon, and Lina Fassi-Fihri, who specialises in business law.
Practice head(s):
Romain Berthon; Lina Fassi-Fihri
UGGC Africa
The litigation and international arbitration group at UGGC Africa works closely with the firm’s Paris office to offer strong cross-border capabilities across Africa, Europe and beyond. Ali Bougrine leads the group, acting regularly on complex dispute resolution as an arbitrator and counsel to parties in Sub-Saharan Africa. Laurent Sablé specialises in international arbitration, while Jean-Jacques Uettwiller works heavily in the agri-food and public work sectors.
Practice head(s):
Ali Bougrine
Other key lawyers:
Laurent Sablé; Jean-Jacques Uettwiller
Key clients
Systra SA
Cristal fish
Omnium Technologique
Work highlights
- Represents a Mauritanian company in partnership with a Chinese company in arbitration (CCI Paris) on the violation of an exclusivity clause. An award in favour of Cristal Fish has been obtained. UGGC is currently defending the award before the Paris Court of Appeal as the other party has initiated annulment proceedings.
Boulalf Mekkaoui Law Firm
Boulalf Mekkaoui Law Firm supports clients with arbitration and litigation relating to all aspects of business law, both within Morocco and internationally. The team assists clients with pre-court litigation with the intent to promote an amicable resolution of disputes, along with a special focus on alternative dispute resolution. Founding partner and team co-head Abdelatif Boulalf has considerable experience in national and international arbitrations, as well as business law litigation. Fellow co-head Ahlam Mekkaoui is an expert in alternative dispute resolution.
Practice head(s):
Abdelatif Boulalf; Ahlam Mekkaoui
EAR & Co
The dispute resolution team at EAR & Co is particularly strong when handling complex cross-border disputes involving Moroccan courts. The team also acts regularly on litigation stemming from insolvency and restructuring proceedings on behalf of debtors, creditors and potential buyers. Other areas the team operates in are finance, M&A, real estate, labour law and IP. Mariam Rouissi acts regularly on complex cross-border litigation, while Mohieddine El Amari is experienced in commercial and corporate disputes.
Practice head(s):
Mariam Rouissi; Mohieddine El Amari
Key clients
AGILITY
ARMA CASABLANCA
SCI PARANFA SPORTS
Jeantet
The dispute resolution team at Jeantet represents clients in front of national courts and arbitration tribunals, while also advising companies in civil and criminal proceedings in Morocco and the broader MENA region. The team has a strong track record in regard to corporate disputes, financial litigation competition, labour disputes and pre-litigation situations. Managing partner Philippe Malléa is a key point of contact for the firm.
Practice head(s):
Philippe Malléa
Testimonials
‘Jeantet is an accessible, proactive and available firm. The team is always available to answer questions, no matter how urgent or complex. It is a multidisciplinary team that knows how to work as a team and is therefore competent to deal with a wide range of issues.’
‘Their determination, adaptability, thoroughness, reliability and versatility clearly set them apart from other law firms we have worked with in the past.’
‘The people we work with are competent, serious and always ready to listen. They have great interpersonal skills, an ability to adapt and real autonomy. They know how to take initiatives, are organised and have a spirit of synthesis that sets them apart from their competitors.’