1. Could you begin by introducing Dentons Mauritius and the role it plays within the world’s largest global law firm network?
Dentons Mauritius is an integral part of Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm. We joined Dentons in 2018 following the merger of two well-established local firms, Mardemootoo Solicitors and Balgobin Chambers, which subsequently merged with Dentons in a three-way merger.
What truly defines us is our ability to operate as a deeply local and truly global firm at the same time. We are firmly rooted in Mauritius and Africa, with a strong understanding of its legal, regulatory and commercial environment, while being seamlessly connected to other firms globally spanning more than 87 locations. We operate as a full-service law firm, and have a thriving practice in cross border corporate advisory, commercial litigation, international arbitration, employment matters and dispute resolution.
Mauritius occupies a unique position at the intersection of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. That role is strengthened by key trade frameworks, including the CECPA with India, growing economic cooperation with the UAE, and a wide tax and investment promotion and protection treaty network with Africa. Within Dentons, Mauritius often serves clients who want to invest into Africa or Asia. Over the years, Mauritius has also become a place where HNWIs want to relocate and structure their wealth and Dentons Mauritius through its ‘Legal Conciergerie’ services those clients who are referred to through global offices.
2. How does being part of the Dentons international platform enhance your ability to serve both local and cross-border clients operating in or through Mauritius?
Many of the matters we advise on today are inherently cross-border. Clients rarely operate in a single jurisdiction, and Mauritius is often used as a platform to Africa or Asia.
Being part of Dentons allows us to offer clients a single, trusted point of contact, supported by lawyers on the ground in all relevant jurisdictions. This eliminates fragmentation and complexity. Instead of managing multiple advisers, clients benefit from one integrated legal team delivering advice that is locally precise and globally coordinated. The result is greater efficiency, consistency and effective risk management.
3. Mauritius continues to position itself as a trusted international financial centre. How would you describe the country’s current legal and regulatory landscape supporting that ambition?
Mauritius has earned its reputation as a trusted international financial centre through legal certainty, institutional stability and an ability to adapt to global change. Our hybrid legal system, combining civil law and common law traditions, provides comfort to both francophone and anglophone investors.
The judiciary is independent and sophisticated, with a dedicated commercial division within the Supreme Court, and the Privy Council as the final court of appeal adds an additional layer of credibility. Importantly, Mauritius has also developed a strong legal and institutional framework for international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. With modern arbitration legislation, credible arbitral institutions and a neutral, treaty-friendly environment, Mauritius is increasingly recognised as a viable seat for cross-border and Africa-related disputes.
At the regulatory level, Mauritius continues to evolve in a forward-looking manner. Reforms in areas such as compliance, fintech, virtual assets demonstrate a clear commitment to remaining relevant in a global and digital economy.
4. Dentons Mauritius advises a wide range of clients, from multinational corporations to investment funds. What are the key sectors driving legal activity today?
Legal activity in Mauritius is being driven by a combination of domestic investment, international structuring and Africa-focused growth strategies.
At Mauritius level, financial services remain a cornerstone. We see sustained demand in setting up of global business structures including trusts, foundations and cross-border holding and financing structures, particularly for clients using Mauritius as a platform into Africa.
We also have queries from Investors or families from the Gulf region who increasingly see Mauritius as a platform for investing into Africa or for the setting up of a satellite family office.
Private wealth and family office advisory is a major area of growth. High-net-worth individuals and families are attracted by Mauritius’ succession and asset-protection framework, the absence of inheritance tax, and the availability of sophisticated trust and foundation regimes.
M&A, joint ventures and restructuring continue to drive significant legal work and Mauritius is also still used as a regional headquarters and back-office hub.
There is also growing activity in technology, fintech, data protection and the digital economy, reflecting Mauritius’ ambition to position itself as an innovation-friendly jurisdiction. This includes advisory work around virtual assets, ICT regulation, cybersecurity and data governance.
From a broader Africa perspective, much of the legal work relates to infrastructure, energy and natural resources. Private equity and foreign direct investment into African markets continue to generate transactional work, often structured through Mauritius.
Finally, trade, regional integration and dispute resolution are growing steadily.
5. As ESG, data protection and compliance gain prominence globally, how is Dentons Mauritius helping clients navigate these evolving areas?
These issues are no longer peripheral; they are central to how businesses operate and are valued. Mauritius has taken important steps in this direction, including updates to the laws and regulations.
The focus today is on helping clients move beyond box-ticking. We support them in embedding ESG principles into governance frameworks, investment strategies and operational decision-making. Sustainable finance, in particular, is becoming increasingly important and Mauritius is an ideal jurisdiction for channeling sustainable capital into Africa.
6. Digital transformation is reshaping legal practice. How are you leveraging technology at Dentons Mauritius?
Technology is an enabler rather than a substitute for legal judgment. Digital tools and AI are adopted selectively, focusing on areas where they genuinely improve efficiency, accuracy and client experience.
Technology will not replace lawyers, but lawyers who understand how to use technology will replace those who do not. The approach is therefore pragmatic, enhancing turnaround times, onboarding and process efficiency, while ensuring that strategic legal analysis remains firmly human-led.
7. What legal reforms or initiatives could further enhance Mauritius’ competitiveness as a regional business and arbitration hub?
Mauritius already has the legal framework and institutional infrastructure to function as a credible arbitration hub, particularly for Africa-related disputes. What is needed now is greater visibility and confidence in choosing Mauritius as a seat of arbitration.
With its neutrality, treaty network and legal sophistication, Mauritius is well positioned to serve as a trusted forum for cross-border dispute resolution. Encouraging greater uptake by businesses, the legal profession and institutions would significantly enhance the country’s regional standing.
8. What message would you like to share with Khaleej Times readers about Mauritius as a jurisdiction for international investors?
For investors from the UAE and the wider Gulf, Mauritius offers a compelling proposition built around de-risking, diversification and strategic access.
Many families and businesses today are looking for a second structure or second base, not as a replacement, but as a complement. Mauritius provides that option: a stable, rules-based jurisdiction with strong institutions, legal certainty and a sophisticated financial and professional ecosystem. It is also particularly well suited for those considering a secondary residence, whether for lifestyle, succession planning or long-term family strategy.
Mauritius also plays a unique role as a platform into Africa. It allows investors to structure and manage African investments from a neutral and familiar legal environment, supported by extensive treaty networks and deep experience in African cross-border transactions. This enables capital to be deployed into Africa in a controlled, transparent and well-governed manner.
Finally, the strengthening of economic and trade relations between Mauritius and Gulf countries, including new and evolving trade and cooperation agreements, creates further opportunities. These frameworks facilitate investment flows and partnerships and can lead to greater cooperation and growth.
In essence, Mauritius offers Gulf investors a trusted second base, a bridge into Africa, and a jurisdiction that understands both wealth preservation and forward-looking growth.
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