Ferchiou & associés > Tunis, Tunisia > Firm Profile
Ferchiou & associés Offices
34 PLACE DU 14 JANVIER 2011
1001 TUNIS
Tunisia
Ferchiou & associés > The Legal 500 Rankings
Tunisia > Banking and finance Tier 1
The internationally oriented team at Ferchiou & Associés is equipped to handle a diverse range of banking and finance matters, with recent experience in syndicated loans, acquisition finance and capital markets issues. The group’s cross-border firepower was evidenced by its involvement in several multi-jurisdictional financings over the past year. Most notably, it advised Land’Or Maroc Industries, the Moroccan subsidiary of Tunisia’s Land’Or, as corporate borrower on a €3.5m financing. New York- and Tunisia-qualified Omar Ferchiou led the Land’Or work and is recognised for his representation of NGOs and international financial institutions on banking and finance matters. Managing partner Noureddine Ferchiou
is also sought after for banking work. Amina Larbi recently left the firm for MEDLAR Lawyers & Legal Advisors.
Practice head(s):
Omar Ferchiou; Rym Ferchiou
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
European Investment Bank
International Finance Corporation
Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Economique
Morgan Stanley & Co
Attijari
Natixis
Viamobile
Work highlights
- Acted as local counsel to the EBRD on a financing to Land’Or Maroc Industries – the Moroccan subsidiary of Tunisia’s Land’Or.
- Acted as local counsel to Transcom Worldwide on a €315m international notes offering and a €45m revolving credit facility, where the Tunisian subsidiary acted as guarantor.
- Advised Proparco, EBRD, AfDB and IFC on the financing of an energy project in Tunisia.
Tunisia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
Ferchiou & Associés is routinely engaged by major global companies to advise on local matters, with strong recent experience in M&A, strategic disposals and corporate restructurings. Rym Ferchiou fronts the corporate department and recently advised business information company Crif on the potential closure of its Tunisian operations. The group also draws on the expertise of New York- and Tunisia-qualified Omar Ferchiou, who is noted for his extensive international expertise, and senior managing partner Noureddine Ferchiou, who brings to bear an impressive track record in large-scale transactions. Former department co-head Amina Larbi recently left the firm for MEDLAR Lawyers & Legal Advisors.Practice head(s):
Rym Ferchiou; Omar Ferchiou
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Glancia SA
Wafa Cash
Unilever Group
Stelia Aerospace
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Tunisia > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Ferchiou & Associés is distinguished by its ability to leverage its top-tier transactional offering to excel in competition and international arbitration cases. Maritime disputes and product liability claims also stand as practice sweet spots. The group represents an impressive roster of multinational corporations, with Samsung, Sumitomo and Electrolux among its representative clients. Department head Nasr Kemicha is well versed in both litigation and arbitral proceedings, with a focus on disputes arising out of international commercial agreements.Practice head(s):
Nasr Kemicha
Key clients
Samsung Electronics Tunisia
Samsung Electronics Maghreb Arab
PSA and Citroen Automobiles
Sumitomo
Henkel
Electrolux
Air Liquide Tunisie
Emerson
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 | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Ferchiou | o.ferchiou@falaw.tn | +216 71 120 500 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mr Noureddine Ferchiou | Founding partner of Ferchiou & associés, Nourredine Ferchiou has over thirty years… | View Profile |
 | Mrs Rym Ferchiou | Rym is a Partner at Ferchiou & Associés law firm. She started… | View Profile |
 | 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 : 20Languages
Arabic English French ItalianMemberships
Gesica Nextlaw Global Referral NetworkNotable 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.
- Banking and finance
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution