"Years of first-hand experience in Africa have imbued these lawyers with significant local knowledge"
Chambers Global 2008
Herbert Smith LLP: top tier ranking for Africa - General Business Law
Chambers Global 2008
Africa is now, more than ever, in the process of realising its huge potential, not only as an exporter of raw materials, but increasingly as a continent capable of processing its raw materials at source. With its wealth of natural resources, the development of its infrastructure, a stabilising business climate and positive reform of its legal and tax frameworks, Africa is attracting increasing levels of foreign investment from leading corporations, banks and multilateral agencies, many of whom are turning to Herbert Smith LLP for advice.
We have a long and successful track record of advising in relation to African projects, due in part to the understanding we bring to every aspect of a transaction.
Supported by the firm’s top-tier global energy and natural resources practice, the Africa team provides specialist advice on oil and gas, mining, power, water, telecoms and infrastructure (rail, port and airport etc) projects across the continent.
It consists of over 30 lawyers across our European, Asian and Middle East offices, many of whom have direct experience of living and working in Africa and are familiar with the continent’s cultural nuances and business etiquette. The language skills among the team include Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Drawing on the support, where necessary, of a valuable network of reliable local counsel, Herbert Smith’s Africa practice provides clients with access to a full legal service, blending the team’s knowledge and experience of Africa with the ability to both advise on common law issues and, through the Paris office, to provide the civil law expertise which often underpins local law.
The team has the ability to advise on:
- the structuring of a project from the outset, taking into account bankability, tax and customs, as well as legal issues
- financings by banks and multilaterals, including local security packages
- acquisitions of businesses or assets
- environmental, social and regulatory issues
- pre-contentious/contentious issues, including litigation, arbitration and ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) procedures
- public international law, including international boundary issues