Azzedine Kettani

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Leaders in Law endorses Azzedine Kettani as our exclusively recommended Mediation Law expert in Morocco. If you wish to get in touch with Azzedine please use the contact information provided above.

Azzedine Kettani obtained his Law Degree from Faculty of Rabat, Juris Doctor, Phd Faculty of Paris and Faculty of Nice, France. He was admitted to the Casablanca Bar on July 16, 1968 and admitted before the Highest Court of Justice of the Kingdom of Morocco (Cassation Court). He founded Kettani Law Firm in 1971.Professor Kettani is listed in Martindale Hubble/Lexis Nexis – Practical Law, Legal 500, Chambers Global, Commonwealth Ministers Reference Book and the Lloyd’s Maritime Directory. He specializes in Arbitration/Mediation and Business Law.

Arbitration Memberships & Experience:

  • Is a member of the ICSID panel of arbitrators appointed in September 2011 through 2017
  • Member of the panel of arbitrators of Dubaï International Arbitration Center
  • Member of the European Court of Arbitration and chairman of Morocco section of the Court
  • Member of ICC Court of Arbitration, and CIMAC Morocco
  • Member of Users Council of Singapore International Arbitration Center
  • Member of LCIA
  • Has been teaching international arbitration and supervising academic studies in the same matter
  • Has been appointed by the Moroccan Government as a member of the special committee for the reform of arbitration rules under the Moroccan Code on Civil Proceeding
  • Has been practicing national and international arbitration for more than 40 years as sole arbitrator, member of a tribunal or as representative of a party under ICC, ICSID  (currently handling several cases in the said capacities), DIAC rules.

The Arbitration and Mediation Practice:

Mediation and arbitration are now the most effective means of disputes resolution, by the speed of their procedures, their costs, or by the confidentiality that is increasingly sought by the parties.

The Moroccan legislature has, by various texts encouraged the use of this alternative means of disputes resolution that has also the benefit of releasing the courts’ workload.

KLF, through its founder, was among the first professionals to be interested in it, and initiates numerous cases before various authorities, in which it provides its clients with a legal representation by specialized lawyers in this area.

Beside the role of KLF as a lawyer or counsel for the parties, Professor Azzedine Kettani is also widely recognized as arbitrator both nationally and internationally.

He is a member of the Moroccan Court of Arbitration of the ICC Morocco and was recently ranked as the president of the Mediation Centre of this chamber in 2013.

Internationally, his recognized expertise allowed him to be appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Paris) as an arbitrator for many years.

Professor Azzedine Kettani has also been appointed by the ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes) as an arbitrator or chairman of arbitral tribunals for many years.

In September 2011, he was named for six years by the President of the World Bank, acting as the ICSID’ s Chairman of the Board of Director, as a member of the panel of 10 international arbitrators.

He is a member of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre panel of arbitrators and as such, he was named as sole arbitrator or chairman of the arbitral tribunal on many occasions.

He is a member of the “Users Council” of Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC)

He is the author and co-author of several articles and publications in several matters of Business Law and arbitration

He has been teaching the same matters at Hassan II University of Casablanca since 1968 and is a visiting professor invited by several foreign universities

In this capacity he is a member of the scientific council of the Foundation Continental Law Formation (Paris)

All these activities reflect favourably on KLF, which reputation in the field of domestic or international arbitration is well established.

Kettani Law Firm:

Created in 1971, it was the first legal entity to register in 2011 as a private lawyers’ partnership (“société civile professionnelle”) in Casablanca under the name of KETTANI LAW FIRM SCP (“KLF”).

KLF is divided into 4 departments:

  • Arbitration
  • Consulting
  • Litigation
  • Dedicated units

KLF is the largest Moroccan independent law firm composed of 120 associates and employees in its Casablanca head office.

Zineb Idrissia Hamzi

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Founded in 1999, HAMZI LAW FIRM is one of the Leading Independent Moroccan Law Firms in Business Law. 

For twenty years, our teams of lawyers and jurists have acquired a proven experience in accompanying investors, both national and international, and usually provide legal assistance,as part of external growth and international development operations.

As Moroccan correspondent to many international law firms, and recognized for its expertise through extensive professional networks, the Firm has become, thanks to its multidisciplinary expertise, a reference and a natural one-stop-shop for companies that appreciate the ability of its teams to respond to all legal issues related to business life, both in counseling and litigation, and their command of several foreign languages (English, Spanish), in addition to French and Arabic.

Thanks to the privileged ties developed with international networks of business law firms present all over the world, the Firm offers legal expertise and an adapted support for all transnational matters.

In order to meet the new needs of our clients, generated by a constantly changing economic, national and international situation, our practice is constantly renewed and enriched, thanks  to the partners, counsels and collaborators who joined us, and who allowed HLF to develop a certain experience, in Real Estate Law and Construction Law, Project Development, and International Mobility.

HAMZI LAW FIRM has also strengthened its Corporate Restructuring practice, in a overall approach, taking into account the diversity and complexity of the legal, social and financial issues our clients are facing.

A long practice of ADR and litigation allows our lawyers, all admitted at the Casablanca Bar to control perfectly, and directly, the preparation and the management of pre-litigation and litigation files, in cutting-edge and innovative areas of expertise, such as IT, IP , and Renewable Energy.

Devoted as “Leading Business Law Firm, in Morocco”, by many prestigious referencing organizations, such as “Chambers Global Guide”, HAMZI LAW FIRM won the Golden Trophy and was awarded the “Best Law Firm in Morocco” during the 2017 Law Trophies, handed out in Paris, by Leaders League.

 

Azzedine Kettani

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Leaders in Law endorses Azzedine Kettani as our exclusively recommended Arbitration Law expert in Morocco. If you wish to get in touch with Azzedine please use the contact information provided above.

EDUCATION: Law Degree from Faculty of Rabat, Juris Doctor, Phd Faculty of Paris and Faculty of Nice, France.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Universities:

  • Professor at Mohamed V University in Rabat and Hassan II University in Casablanca since April 1, 1968
  • Visiting Professor at several national and foreign law faculties.
  • Has been teaching over the last 45 years all matters of private law, especially :

o   Civil Law

o   Criminal Law

o   Commercial Law / Contracts

o   Corporate Law

o   Labour Law

o   Insurance Law

o   Islamic Law

o   Civil Proceedings

o   Arbitration

  • Has supervised numerous theses and research projects at the doctoral level
  • Has conducted numerous conferences and seminars in all matters of private law in Morocco and abroad

Publications

  • Over the last 40 years Pr. Azzedine Kettani has been author or co-author of several books and publications
  • Serves on the Advisory Board of the International Arbitration Review
  • Has been publishing the Moroccan Law Review and has been member of the publishing committee of the Casablanca Law Faculty Review and produced numerous studies and articles in the same and other reviews/law journals:

o   Provisional Remedies in International Commercial Arbitration

o   Insurance in Morocco

o   Contractual Liability

o   The New Law on Intellectual Property

o   The Judge and the Arbitrator

o   Arbitration Law and Practice in Morocco

o   The New Law on Motor Accidents

o   Conciliation and Arbitration in Labour Law

o   Moroccan Banking Law

Recent publications include articles on Corporate Law, Business Environment, new law on Joint – Stock Companies, Intellectual Property, new Commerce Code, new Anti-Money Laundering Law, Family Code, new Labour Code, new law on Competition, new law on Electronic Data/Contracts, new law on Arbitration in Morocco, Insurance Code in:

  • Oxford Business Group – Emerging Morocco
  • Harvard Law School Journal
  • International Law Office (electronic publication)
  • Practical Law Company
  • World Bank – Doing Business
  • Japan Times
  • Moroccan magazines and specialized newspapers (Challenge, Economiste, Economie & Entreprises…)

Arbitration:

  • Has been practicing national and international arbitration for more than 35 years as sole arbitrator, member of a tribunal or as representative of a party under ICC and ICSID rules (currently handling several cases in the said capacities)
  • Is a member of the ICSID panel of arbitrators appointed in September 2011 through 2017

Examples of recent appointments:

Epoux Lahoud v. The Democratic Republic of Congo (as President of the annulment Committee)

Lundin v. Républic of Tunisia (as President of the annulment Committee)

Bernhard von Pezold and others v. Republic of Zimbabwe (as a member of the annulment Committee) and

Poštová banka v. Hellenic Republic (as President of the annulment Committee).

  • Member of the panel of arbitrators of Dubaï International Arbitration Center
  • Member of the European Court of Arbitration
  • Member of ICC Court of Arbitration, Morocco
  • Has been teaching international arbitration and supervising academic studies in the same matter
  • Has been appointed by the Moroccan Government as a member of the special committee for the reform of arbitration rules under the Moroccan Code on Civil Proceeding
  • Member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR
  • Member of the Users Council of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (S.I.A.C.)
  • Member of the London Court Of International Arbitration (LCIA)
  • Member of the International Bar Association (IBA)

 

Law reforms:

Has been appointed as a member of or consultant to several commissions for the following reforms:

  • Labour Law Code
  • Corporate Law
  • Arbitration Law
  • Insurance Code
  • Intellectual Property
  • Competition Law
  • Commercial Code

Private Practice:

  • Admitted to the Casablanca Bar on July 16, 1968 and admitted before the Highest Court of Justice of the Kingdom of Morocco (Supreme Court)
  • Founded Kettani Law Firm in 1971, currently having more than 100 associates
  • Listed in Martindale Hubble/Lexis Nexis – Practical Law, Legal 500, Chambers Global, Commonwealth Ministers Reference Book, Lloyd’s Maritime Directory
  • Specializes in Business Law and Arbitration/Mediation
  • Has assisted/represented the Moroccan Government in privatisation as well as foreign governments and multinationals, major financial institutions

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

  • Former Honorary Consul General of Brazil
  • Former Honorary Consul of Switzerland
  • Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Morocco
  • Founding Director of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce
  • Member of the British Chamber of Commerce
  • Former Vice President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Morocco
  • President of the Moroccan Branch of the “Association H. Capitant ” (France)
  • Director of the Moroccan American Trade and Investment Council (MATIC)
  • Director of the US-Arab Chamber of Commerce (Washington)
  • Member of several task forces and committees of Rotary International since 1980
  • Member of the sanctions council of the Autorité Marocaine des Marchés de Capitaux (AMMC) since 2016
  • President of the Foundation “FAK” for the promotion of legal culture

SPECIAL MENTION:

  • Decorated “Chevalier de l’Ordre du Trône” by his Majesty the King of Morocco
  • Major Donor of Rotary Foundation

LANGUAGES: English, French and Arabi

CONTACT: k@kettlaw.com

Nadia Kettani

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Nadia Kettani has joined Kettani Law Firm as a senior Partner in en 1992 and is the Head of the Consulting Department.

EDUCATION : Law degree at Casablanca Law University, Masters in business and civil law.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

  • Senior attorney before the Supreme Court and Senior Partner at KETTANI LAW FIRM since 1992.
  • Has undertaken internships in law firms in Paris, France, and the United States
  • Continuous training at the International Law Institute, affiliated to the Georgetown University (Washington)

EXPERIENCE:

Head of the consulting department in the main following areas:

  • Corporate / Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Arbitration
  • Energy / Project Finance
  • Telecommunications
  • Investments

RECENT TRANSACTIONS  :

  • In the energy sector, Nadia Kettani advised the company Jorf Lasfar Extension in the financing of a power plant projects between 2012 and 2014 for an amount of USD 1.4 billion. Nadia Kettani advised on the Safi project relating to a USD 2.6 billion power plant. In 2015 and 2016, Nadia Kettani advised Green of Africa (Morocco) on its projects relating to renewable energy.
  • In the banking and finance sector, Nadia Kettani advised the Moroccan state investment bank in relation to sovereign bond issuance programs in 2012 (USD 1.5 billion) and in 2014 (EUR 1 billion), and also commercial banks such as BMCE in relation to its bond issuance in 2014 (MAD 1 billion) and Crédit Agricole in the financing of its international projects in 2015 and 2016. Nadia Kettani also advised the Fonds Hassan II for economic and social development in 2016 and House Invest (Bahrein) in the restructuration of its activity in Morocco.
  • In the area of aircraft financing, Nadia Kettani has represented Royal Air Morocco, the Moroccan airline operator company, in various aircraft acquisitions and financing deals (of confidential values) it has entered into with the company Embraer and the company Boeing in the financing of its dreamliner in 2015/2016 as well as the company Air Arabia (United Arab Emirates) in its financing matters since their start of business in Morocco, including in 2015 and 2016. In addition, Nadia Kettani also advised Air Canada in 2016 regarding its implementation in Morocco.
  • In the telecommunications sector, Nadia Kettani and her team acted as local counsel for Vivendi in relation to its EUR 4 billion disposition of its former stakes in Maroc Telecom and advised France Telecom on its EUR 640 million investment in Méditelecom. In 2015, Nadia Kettani also advised Orange (France) in its takeover of Meditelecom.
  • The Consulting Department is also very active in the area of mergers and acquisitions. Nadia Kettani has advised, amongst others, the following key corporate clients in relation to their mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures in Morocco and abroad: Al Sahl Group (Libya); Al Homaizi (Kowait) in relation to its introduction of IKEA in Morocco and Alshaya Group (Kuwait) in relation to the setting up of international franchises in Morocco (such as Starbucks and H&M), St Gobain (France) and Platinum Power (Morocco) in relation to the its capital opening operation to AfricInvest.
  • Nadia Kettani has also recently acted on behalf of top tier international hotel operator companies such as Hilton and Marriott regarding their investments in Morocco and also represented local groups such as Risma which is managing the hotels of Accor in Morocco as well as Atlas Voyages in relation to its partnership with TUI, and other local companies with regards to their joint venture with American investors in the tourism sector. In 2015 and 2016, Nadia Kettani notably assisted Marriott regarding is implementation in Marrakech and Fès and Taameer (Koweit) in the selling of its hotel units.
  • In the course of 2013 and 2014, Nadia Kettani has also acted as local counsel for the International Finance Corporation (IFC, the financial institution of the World Bank). In 2015/2016, Nadia Kettani as well advised the EBRD (the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) regarding their various investment projects in Morocco, and in particular, its stake holding in a Moroccan entity.
  • In 2016, Nadia Kettani advised operators in other industries, like the equipment industry, with the advising provided to TATA Motors and the electronic industry with Philipps, relating to the restructuration of their activities in Morocco.
  • In the consumer goods sector, Nadia Kettani advised in 2015 a subsidiary of Obegi Group (Lebanon) in its financing deals in Morocco.

LANGUAGES: English, French and Arabic

KETTANI LAW FIRM:

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, and 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 been constantly expanding 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 the last nine 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.