Annabelle Ribet’s practice covers all aspects of civil, corporate and commercial law. She provides legal advice and assistance throughout all the stages of the corporate life, including corporate formation, corporate governance matters, carrying out due diligence exercises in cases of M&A as well as compliance-related issues.
She has acquired experience in drafting and advising on a wide range of domestic and foreign law governed commercial agreements, including loan and finance agreements, service and outsourcing agreements (warehousing, supply and logistics, agency and distribution, manufacturing), as well as software/website development contracts and confidentiality agreements.
Annabelle also advises clients on all aspects of immigration law, whether in terms of the strategies and actions for foreigners who are planning to relocate to Mauritius and individuals who wish to acquire the Mauritian residency or citizenship.
She also has a keen interest in real estate and hospitality matters. In addition to being involved in the drafting and negotiation of commercial and residential lease agreements, she has also been advising promoters, investors and other key players with respect to real estate transactions and developments.
Experience has included advising:
- As a team member, a local conglomerate in a number of acquisitions of businesses in various types of industries.
- As a team member, a local conglomerate in drafting, vetting and negotiating share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements as well as subscription agreements.
- As a team member, a local conglomerate in drafting, vetting and negotiating various types of commercial contracts, including distribution, warehousing and supply agreements.
- As a team member, foreign clients with their Mauritian citizenship application, whether in respect of minor children, resumption of citizenship or naturalization.
- As a team member, foreign clients with respect to the acquisition of residency rights in Mauritius, whether through the acquisition of immovable property or otherwise.
- As a team member, a local promoter of real estate project in drafting and reviewing sales introducer agreements, sales mandates as well as business development agreements.
- As a team member, a local conglomerate with respect to their employment issues, whether in terms of hiring, dismissal or otherwise.
Professional Qualifications
- Barrister-at-law admitted to the Bar of Mauritius (September 2020)
- Called to the degree of an Utter Barrister of England and Wales by the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, London (July 2019)
Education
- Bar Professional Training Course / BPP University, Birmingham UK (June 2019)
- LLB with Honours / Middlesex University, Mauritius Branch Campus (June 2014)
Prior Experience
- Mauritius based Attorney-at-Law - Pupillage under the supervision of an Attorney-at-law (May 2020 – August 2020)
- Juristconsult Chambers, DLA Piper Africa, Mauritius - Pupillage under the supervision of Mr. R. M. Marc Hein, SC, G.O.S.K (August 2019 – May 2020)
- DLA Piper, London – Legal internship in the Energy Infrastructure and Finance department of the firm (June – July 2019)
- Juristconsult Chambers, DLA Piper Africa in Mauritius – Legal Executive (January 2016 – August 2019)
- Mauritius based chambers – Legal Internship (September – August 2012)
- Juristconsult Chambers, DLA Piper Africa in Mauritius – Internship in legal and marketing affairs (September – October 2011)
- Juristconsult Chambers, DLA Piper Africa in Mauritius – Mini Pupillage (March – May 2011)
- Mauritius based school of alphabetization - French and Informatics Teacher Assistant (February – March 2011)
The legislation and regulations concerning electronic transactions/signatures are becoming a key element to respond to businesses’ changing needs.
As from 15 January 2021, the Environment Protection (Control of Single Use Plastic Products) Regulations 2020 (the “Regulations”) came into operation and banned the importation, manufacture, possession, sale, supply and use of not less than 10 non-biodegradable single use plastic products. These restrictions form part of the Government’s 2020-2024 program to make Mauritius a plastic-free country.
While the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic subsists, the risks for businesses of not being able to fulfil their contractual obligations or of experiencing the default of the other contracting party is a real concern for economic operators. To manage this unprecedented situation and provide an adequate response, a careful analysis of the contract terms is essential to enable parties to exercise their rights if a dispute arises from non-performance. As a first step, it will generally be a question of analysing the possibility of invoking the defence mechanism of force majeure.