We are International Arbitration experts in Africa. We handle all forms of dispute resolution in their entirety, regardless of where on the continent you do business.
Resolving cross-border disputes on the African continent can be complex. Our International Arbitration team members have considerable experience acting as local counsel and are specialists in modern arbitral practice and enforcement across all key sectors, including construction, energy, shipping, mining, telecommunications, insurance and financial services.
As a result, we are ideally placed to assist you with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation and arbitration and, where necessary, in the local courts.
We regularly act for major local and international clients in ad hoc arbitration proceedings and in major arbitration centres, including the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague (PCA).
We have long-standing relationships with the foremost African arbitral institutions, including:
Our ties extend far beyond just appearing in arbitrations at these regional centres. Because we have a strong geographical presence and offices in all the above locations, we have built solid relationships with and become very familiar with the operations and day to day management of these institutions. For example, we were a founding member of AFSA and we belong to their sub-committees, while the Head of our Mauritius office, Thierry Koenig, is the president of the MIAC Practitioners’ Group Steering Committee.
Our in-house artificial intelligence (AI) unit sets us apart by providing cost-effective offerings for high volume, document intensive disputes, using progressive digital systems and artificial intelligence, including document review, e-discovery and electronic arbitration platforms. We are therefore able to meet your legal needs quickly, seamlessly and with as little disruption to your business as possible.
With offices in East, Southern and West Africa, we have many years of practical experience working on the ground throughout the continent. We have a proven track record and a solid understanding of local cultural, commercial and geopolitical contexts, as well as long-standing partnerships with trusted local law firms whom we work alongside in those countries where we do not have our own offices.
One of the many benefits of our continent-wide approach is that, no matter how many countries your dispute spans, you can always interact with a single point of contact at ENS.
With lawyers qualified to practice on the continent, as well as in English and French law, we provide legal services and assistance in Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone countries, including all the countries which follow the OHADA system of business law. We are able to advise in English, French, Portuguese, Cantonese and Mandarin, and we are also fluent in a plethora of African languages across Sub-Saharan Africa.
ENSafrica is recognised by leading international ranking agencies, including Chambers Global, Legal 500, IFLR1000 and the World Tax Guide, for achieving consistently high standards. Furthermore, the firm is a regular recipient of Southern Africa regional awards such as DealMakers and the African Legal Awards.
