Marco Juridico de Mauricio

A Robust Legal Framework for International Business

Mauritius offers one of the most sophisticated legal frameworks in África and the Indian Ocean region. The country's hybrid legal system — combining elements of English common law and French civil law (Code Napoléon) — provides international investors with a familiar and reliable legal environment. Commercial law, company law, and financial services regulation follow English common law principles, while property law and certain aspects of personal law retain their French civil law heritage.

This dual heritage is a significant advantage for international businesses. Investors from common law jurisdictions (UK, USA, India, Australia, Singapore) find the corporate and commercial law framework familiar and predictable. At the same time, investors from civil law countries (France, Germany, Switzerland, most of África) can work with legal concepts they recognise, particularly in property and contract law.

Key Legislation for International Business

Companies Act 2001

The Companies Act 2001 is the cornerstone of corporate law in Mauritius. Based on the New Zealand Companies Act 1993, it provides a modern, flexible, and internationally recognised framework for company formation and administration. Key features include:

• Simplified incorporation — Companies can be formed within 24–48 hours with minimal documentation
• Flexible constitution — Companies can adopt their own constitution or rely on the model articles in the Act
• Directors' duties — Clearly defined duties of care, loyalty, and good faith, aligned with common law principles
• Shareholder protection — Minority shareholder rights, oppression remedies, and derivative actions
• Corporate structures — Support for various structures including GBCs, PCCs, VCCs, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships

Financial Services Act 2007

The Financial Services Act 2007 establishes the regulatory framework for non-banking financial services in Mauritius. It creates the Financial Services Commission (FSC) as the single regulator for global business, securities, insurance, pensions, and other financial services. The Act empowers the FSC to grant licences, set conditions, conduct inspections, impose sanctions, and take enforcement action.

Securities Act 2005

The Securities Act 2005 regulates the securities industry in Mauritius, including the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, collective investment schemes, securities dealers, and investment advisers. It provides the framework for fund establishment and stock exchange listing.

Trusts Act 2001

The Trusts Act 2001 provides a comprehensive framework for the establishment and administration of trusts in Mauritius. Based on English trust law principles, the Act allows for the creation of discretionary trusts, fixed trusts, purpose trusts, and charitable trusts. Trusts may have a maximum duration of 99 years (unlimited for charitable trusts).

Foundations Act 2012

The Foundations Act 2012 introduced foundations as a legal vehicle in Mauritius, catering to investors from civil law jurisdictions who may be more familiar with the foundation concept than the common law trust. Mauritius foundations combine the asset protection benefits of trusts with the corporate features of companies.

Other Key Legislation

The Judicial System

Court Structure

The Mauritius judicial system comprises several levels:

• District Courts — Handle minor civil and criminal matters
• Industrial Court — Handles employment disputes and labour relations
• Supreme Court — The principal court for commercial disputes, constitutional matters, and appeals from lower courts. Comprises the Master's Court (probate, insolvency, trusts) and various divisions
• Court of Appeal — Intermediate appellate court for appeals from the Supreme Court
• Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (London) — The final court of appeal for Mauritius. This connection to the Privy Council provides an additional layer of judicial credibility and access to world-class legal expertise

Arbitration

Mauritius has positioned itself as a regional centre for international arbitration. The International Arbitration Act 2008 is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law. The Mauritius International Arbitration Centre (MIAC), established in collaboration with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, provides a modern venue and institutional support for international commercial arbitration. Mauritius is also a signatory to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.

Regulatory Bodies

Intellectual Property Protection

Mauritius provides robust intellectual property protection under several laws:

• Patents, Industrial Designs, and Trademarks Act 2002 — Comprehensive IP protection aligned with WIPO standards
• Copyright Act 2014 — Protects literary, artistic, musical, and software works
• Geographical Indications Act 2002 — Protects geographical indications for products
• Industrial Property Office — Handles patent and trademark registration

Mauritius is a member of WIPO and signatory to the Paris Convention, the Berne Convention, the Madrid Protocol, and the Patent Cooperation Treaty. IP holding structures using Mauritius GBCs benefit from the partial exemption regime (3% effective rate on royalty income) and DTA protection against excessive withholding taxes.

Contract Enforcement

Mauritius ranks highly for contract enforcement in international surveys. The Supreme Court handles commercial disputes efficiently, with typical resolution times of 12–18 months for contested matters. The availability of the Privy Council as a final appellate court provides certainty and predictability for complex international disputes. Additionally, international arbitration through MIAC offers a faster, more confidential alternative for resolving cross-border commercial disputes.