ARBITRATION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR IN MOROCCO Kettani Law Firm
Azzedine Kettani Founder Tel: +212 5 22 43 89 00 k@kettlaw.com www.kettlaw.com
Kettani Law Firm (KLF) is one of the strongest independent law firms in Morocco covering contentious and non-contentious cases. It was originally established by Professor Azzedine Kettani in 1971. Senior partners Nadia Kettani and Rita Kettani are respectively the head of the international consulting department and the head of the commercial department, as well as the litigation department and the labour law department. KLF specialises in financial and business activities, and is an acknowledged leader in the fields of corporate finance, banking, project finance, corporate and commercial law. Accordingly, the firm regularly represents banks and other financial institutions, international businesses, major public and private companies and government offices in Morocco and North Africa. KLF has particularly strong language capabilities in French, English and Arabic. The KLF corporate and M&A team has seen consistent expansion, with various recruits joining the team from Europe, and, for the US, Azzedine Kettani and Nadia Kettani continue to work as first points of contact for foreign investors seeking legal advice in relation to their businesses in Morocco.
In recent years, the firm has grown from 30 people to 120, offering a wide range of services whether in the consulting department or the litigation department. KLF offers leading capabilities in the areas of dispute resolution and corporate/M&A work in Morocco. Arbitration and dispute resolution: Professor Kettani has a solid reputation as a top-tier international arbitrator at various arbitration panels, such as ICSID and DIAC, and is considered as the leading figure in Morocco for legal advice and dispute resolution. In relation to local matters, KLF, headed by Rita Kettani, has managed approximately 20,000 local cases in diverse matters concerning commercial and banking disputes, debt collection and enforcement matters, social matters and intellectual property cases. Client representation tasks include advising clients on litigation strategies, litigation risk assessment, acting on clients’ behalf at courts of various instances and in local arbitration cases, as well as managing negotiations and drafting out-of-court settlement agreements. General corporate and M&A: the consulting department is composed of a strong team of experienced lawyers, which advises regularly
on corporate projects relating to takeovers, joint ventures, shareholder agreements and representation of minority rights. KLF also manages the general corporate housekeeping of a number of blue-chip investors, Moroccan companies and state agencies. Furthermore, KLF has strong experience in various industry sectors, such as energy, telecommunications, hotels and aviation, and has also been active in advising clients on matters relating to initial public offerings and other matters relating to listed companies in Morocco and abroad. Today, KLF is the largest Moroccan independent law firm. The success of the firm is measured at the high rate of success of its lawsuits, either as plaintiff or defendant’s counsel; the involvement of Kettani Law Firm in every important investment projects; and in all financial operations in any sector, whether in energy, infrastructures, aviation, tourism or others. These successes have led the firm to regularly receive prestigious international awards.
KLF has particularly strong language capabilities in French, English and Arabic.
CLIENT CHOICE - MARINE AND CARGO SURVEYING FIRM OF THE YEAR IN SOUTH AFRICA Mike Patterson Managing Director
Patterson & Associates (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27 31 765 5757 mike@pattersonandassociates.co.za www.pattersonandassociates.co.za
Patterson & Associates (Pty) Ltd was formed 29 years ago and provides a specialist marine insurance investigative and surveying service to its worldwide clients, which include insurers in South Africa, elsewhere on the African continent and, in the firm’s capacity as survey agents, insurers located in the UK, Europe, The Far East, the US and Australia. The firm also acts for local and international law firms, port authorities, importers and exporters, cargo and freight agents.
any investigation and to ensure that the survey report is issued as soon as practically possible. As business is conducted by people, it is important during our investigations to meet with all relevant parties, be it sellers/shippers, buyers, transporters, Port Authorities or vessels’ crew members. So often, face-to-face contact and on-site investigation reveals information that may not necessarily be accurately or adequately recorded in shipping documents, or which may not have been possible to extract telephonically.”
According to Managing Director Mike Patterson, the essence of his firm’s business comprises the provision of a quick and reliable service, accurate, substantiated information and evidence, and clear, accurate survey reports that allow the client to take a properly informed decision on the extent of liability.
Mr Patterson added that globally, there will always be varying levels of trade. Due to a dip in the Southern African economy in recent years, there has been a corresponding drop in freight volumes flowing into and out of South Africa. Consequently, the firm has been careful over the years to ensure that it represents numerous clients worldwide, in order to confirm that work volumes are maintained at a consistent level.
Mr Patterson noted: “We recognise the importance of keeping clients regularly and properly informed regarding the progress of
He explained that the primary purpose of insurance cover is to re-instate the party that has suffered the financial loss to the position they were prior
to the loss occurring. The duty of the surveyor is accordingly to place the insurer of the goods as quickly as possible in a position where the insurer can accurately and properly consider the extent of liability, if any, within the terms of the policy cover. Mr Patterson concluded: “The main method of cargo transportation will always be by sea. Climate change will bring with it new challenges, which will have a direct impact on the safety of shipping, and cargo being carried. Insurers can expect to see an increase in cargo claims. This, combined with changing port infrastructures globally, labour skills, unrest – and in some regions, challenges associated with the logistics of overland cargo movement such as regional customs authorities, condition of roads and areas through which high-risk/high-value cargo passes – will result in continued claims. “Surveying is one of the most exciting careers in the world. The opportunities to travel have demonstrated that people are essentially the same, irrespective of race, culture, language, religion or creed.”
Global Awards 2019
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