5 St James Court > Port Louis, Mauritius > Firm Profile

Diversity

The team of barristers and staff at 5 St James Court is reflective of the mosaic of cultures, values and traditions that make Mauritius unique. Diversity, equality and inclusion are embedded into the mind-set of Chambers, as diverse experiences, backgrounds and perspectives are seen to be fundamental to our success.

5 St James Court is also a member of Globalaw, an international network of more than 100 independent law firms with over 4,500 lawyers across 145 cities as we understand the value of having a team that is cognisant of diverse clients’/ partners’ needs across the globe.

5 St James Court has always been and continues to remain committed to upholding the key tenets of diversity, equity, equality and inclusion.

Notable Cases

5 St James Court, led by Ravindra Chetty Senior Counsel, has advised on a significant number of transactions aggregating MUR 15 Billion, between the Mauritius Investment Corporation Ltd (MIC), which is a first-of-its-kind subsidiary of the Bank of Mauritius, whose primary objective is to protect the banking and economic system of Mauritius from the risks resulting from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic by subscribing to Convertible Bonds deployed by an ‘Issuer’, with a view of assisting the distressed ‘Issuer’ company.

Ravindra Chetty SC has also successfully represented the Honourable Prime Minister of Mauritius and other Ministers of the Government of Mauritius, in election petition cases under the Representation of People Act, that sought to challenge the National General Elections held in 2019, before the Supreme Court of Mauritius:

• Sayed-Hossen v Bablee & Ors (2022 SCJ 117), (2021 SCJ 310) and (2021 SCJ 298)
• Ramgoolam N. (Dr) v Hurdoyal & Ors (2022 SCJ 116), (2021 SCJ 394) and (2021 SCJ 251)
• Adebiro v Collendavelloo & Ors (2022 SCJ 27), (2021 SCJ 348), (2021 SCJ 196) and (2021 SCJ 91)
• Duval v The Electoral Commissioner & Ors (2021 SCJ 365), (2021 SCJ 218) and (2021 SCJ 188)
• Navarre-Marie & Ors v David & Ors (2021 SCJ 322)
• Jhuboo v Ganoo & Ors (2021 SCJ 284), (2021 SCJ 132) and (2021 SCJ 49)
• Sooredoo v The Electoral Commissioner & Ors (2021 SCJ 219)
• Dayal S. v Jugnauth P.K. & Ors (2021 SCJ 178)
• Jagutpal & Ors v Bundhoo (2021 SCJ 71)
• Chukowry v Navarre-Marie & Ors (2021 SCJ 23)

Other notable cases include:

• Arbitration: Ravindra Chetty SC acted for a foreign Bank headquartered in Mauritius, in a dispute between the two main shareholders of the Bank, under Article 4(1) of the Rules of Arbitration of the ICC.
• Judicial Review applications for orders declaring certain findings pertaining to the ex- Minister for Gender Equality and a Member of the Mauritian Bar, in the Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Drug Trafficking in Mauritius, to be in breach of natural justice, in breach of fairness, unreasonable, biased and wrong in law. (Jadoo-Jaunbocus v Lam Shang Leen & Ors – 2021 SCJ 84) and (Gulbul v Lam Shang Leen & Ors – 2021 SCJ 378). The cases have given rise to much public and legal interest as it involved complex issues of the interplay of Constitutional safeguards and the legality of terms of reference which delineate the powers of a commission of inquiry.
• Liquid Telecommunications Holdings Limited v West Indian Ocean Cable Company Limited (2021 SCJ 229): The majority shareholder of the consortium of national African telecommunications operators in an application to resist the discharge of an injunction against a proposed corporate transaction, which would have the effect of dis-applying the client’s pre-emption rights and diluting its relief claimed in an intended arbitration. The value of the matter was circa USD 209.6 Mln.
• Mauritius Telecom Ltd v Emtel Ltd (2021 SCJ 389): Ravindra Chetty SC successfully acted for Mauritius Telecom Ltd in an appeal against the decision of the Supreme Court of Mauritius, which held it to be jointly liable with four other entities; the Information and Communication Technologies Authority, Cellplus Mobile Communications Ltd and the Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation to pay damages to Emtel (Mauritius) Ltd, in the sum of MUR 554.1 Mln for alleged unfair market practices. This case reconciled how competition law in Mauritius operates within the framework of the (Mauritian) Civil Code.

Avinash Sunassee has acted in the ArcelorMittal v Essar litigation in Mauritius which has also been before the High Court in England. (https://www.bailii.org/cgibin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Comm/2020/740.html&query=(arcelormittal)

Avinash Sunassee has also successfully acted for the following financial institutions:

• BCP Bank (Mauritius) Ltd in a complex appeal from the decision of the Competition Commission of Mauritius on novel issue of due process of the Competition Commission, relating to interchange fees applied by VISA and MasterCard
• Banque Pictet & Cie SA, in relation to a USD 20 Mln injunction

Avinash Sunassee has also recently advised on the largest and highly complex corporate rescue procedure of the national airline company (Air Mauritius Ltd), which is a strategic national asset, crucial for the country’s tourism industry and national investment strategy. The national airline company had been placed into Administration due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Upon the successful period of Administration, circa MUR 12, 000, 000, 000 (Mauritian Rupees) was injected into the national airline company, 50% of the company’s employment that had been in jeopardy, was safeguarded and passenger and cargo connectivity enabled the company to meet its market demands, while providing a renewal of comfort to the creditors and heralding the long-term stability and success of the company.

Client Testimonials

CLIENT: Mr Ken Poonoosamy, CEO – Economic Development Board (EDB)
COMPANY/FIRM: Economic Development Board (EDB)
TESTIMONIAL:

Me Ravindra Chetty has always provided the EDB with key legal support and advice to ensure that the interests of the EDB are always safeguarded and protected. The legal opinions tendered to the EDB have always be clear, concise and extremely well researched and documented. He has represented the EDB in law suits and the Board and Management have been highly impressed by mastery of all legal issues and the highest level of professionalism and integrity displayed. We are very satisfied with the level of service that ME Ravindra Chetty and his legal staff have provided to us.

CLIENT: Mrs Ashiti Prosand, Head of Legal and Company Secretary – HSBC Bank (Mauritius) Ltd
COMPANY/FIRM: HSBC Bank (Mauritius) Ltd
TESTIMONIAL:

The law firm 5 St James Court (‘Firm’), led by Me. Ravindra Chetty has been providing its legal services to HSBC in Mauritius for several years and at HSBC, we really value the advice and other legal services received from the Firm. The output from this Firm is prompt, to the point and solution oriented to any legal hurdle we may face at HSBC. The lawyers of the Firm are top of the notch professionals whose professionalism is recognised not only locally but across the other jurisdictions of HSBC with whom they have been directly working with or where their advice has been shared with. Our view is that the Firm is well deserving of receiving the title of ‘a leading law firm’ by Legal 500.

CLIENT: Naila Hanoomanjee, C.E.O Landscope (Mauritius) Ltd
COMPANY/FIRM: Landscope (Mauritius) Ltd
TESTIMONIAL:

5 St James Court have been providing legal advisory services to Landscope (Mauritius) Ltd. since 2017. The service provided is nothing short of outstanding. We work mainly with Ravindra Chetty, SC. We have sought advice on a range of issues and Ravindra has always been approachable, knowledgeable, hands-on and practical. He is always quick to respond to our queries and provide solutions and fees are very reasonable! We also work with other members of the team who are as professional and dedicated. I have no qualms whatsover in recommending them as a law firm

CLIENT: Mr Conrad Colimalay, Company Secretary and Senior Executive Legal & Corporate Affairs, Mauritius Telecom
COMPANY/FIRM: Mauritius Telecom
TESTIMONIAL:

I am pleased, on behalf of Mauritius Telecom Ltd, to support Mr Ravindra Chetty, Senior Counsel, of 5 St James Court, to be ranked as a leading firm by Legal 500. Mauritius Telecom Ltd is a major telecommunications and information technology services provider in Mauritius, and we have relied on the services of Mr Chetty’s Chambers for litigation and advice in several areas of the law. Mr Chetty has appeared for Mauritius Telecom Ltd recently in a major case relating to competition where an appeal has successfully been judged in favour of Mauritius Telecom Ltd.

CLIENT: Yovich Chineah – Manager Legal & Compliance, SBI (Mauritius) Ltd
COMPANY/FIRM: SBI (Mauritius) Ltd
TESTIMONIAL:

5 St James Court is a model of integrity, professionalism, and class. As our business has grown and expanded over the years, they have been a consistent source of dependability and expertise. Me. R. Chetty Senior Counsel is one of the best Barrister-at-Law who understands the complex demands of the Banking Sector and our goals within it. We highly recommend 5 St James Court and their outstanding team.

CLIENT: Marco Rapaglia, CEO – GMG Trust Ltd
COMPANY/FIRM: GMG Trust Ltd
TESTIMONIAL:

We have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Avinash Sunassee for more than 10 years and have always been impressed by passion and commitment. Mr Sunassee’s expertise in varying fields of law, skills and professionalism are exceptional. He is one of those people who immediately come to mind when we need legal support. His technical abilities are exceeded only by his innate approach to problem-solving which brings results. We recommend his services, which thanks to him, we have the time and peace of mind to focus on what we do best at GMG.

CLIENT: Jennifer Jean-Louis – Executive Director and CFO
COMPANY/ FIRM: AfrAsia Bank Ltd
TESTIMONIAL:

5 St James Court is a great firm whose reputation precedes it. The firm comprises of a hardworking and tactically astute team who has been a very reliable business partner to the Bank since inception. With a down-to-earth approach, the solicitors and staffs have guided the Bank diligently in dealing with some challenging and complex cases. The Bank has also benefitted from the very experienced and committed hands-on Managing Partner who has assisted it in achieving positive outcomes. We remain confident that the Bank remains legally in good shape in the very capable hands of 5 St James Court team.

CLIENT: Air Mauritius (Administrators)
COMPANY/ FIRM: Clayton Utz
TESTIMONIAL: I am a restructuring partner of Australian law firm Clayton Utz. With the guidance of Avinash Sunassee, we structured what I understand to be the first ever creditors trust scheme in Mauritius as a wrap and exit from the deed of company arrangement negotiated between the company, proponent and creditors. I was impressed with the clarity of instruction, application and insight of Avinash into the complexities of a new structure, which he shepherded through necessary channels.

CLIENT: Veemarlen Poinoosawmy- Ag. Head of Legal
COMPANY/FIRM: MauBank Ltd
TESTIMONIAL: The Bank is working with the chambers of Me. Ravin Chetty for the past 7 years. The Bank is extremely satisfied with the service delivered by the counsels working within the chambers. I highly recommend them for their services. Very professional and prompt. Always there to answer any questions that arises. Very knowledgeable and meticulous counsels. They treated Bank cases without delay and with highest integrity. In a nutshell, the counsels are Fantastic! Knowledgeable and competent…A real pleasure to work with!

CLIENT: Loteswar Fangoo – Group Head Compliance and MLRO
COMPANY/FIRM: AfrAsia Bank Limited
TESTIMONIAL: I have known Mr Ravindra Chetty for more than 30 years and both 5 St James Court and Mr Ravindra Chetty SC have handled various cases and legal matters of AfrAsia Bank Ltd and my previous employer, SBI Mauritius Ltd. The bank has always received prompt support and advice from the Legal team. The firm is both professional and knowledgeable regarding banking and financial services matters and they provide sound, clear, and practical legal guidance, in a timely manner, to achieve the best outcome for their clients. 5 St James Court is one of the most reputable law firm in Mauritius and they continue to be our first choice for complex and important cases.