This new law heralds a new era in the Mauritian legal field. “In my capacity as Attorney General, my aim is to bring modern developments to the legal field. The idea behind the liberalisation of the legal field is to make Mauritius an international legal hub. We must follow international trends to stay ahead. Government also intends to introduce an International Arbitration Bill in the near future,” says Attorney General Rama Valayden.

However, despite optimism from the Attorney General, certain quarters feel that the liberalisation of the legal field may spell difficulties for local practitioners.

Alan Ganoo, Parliamentarian and legal counsel, says while he is for liberalisation, he fears that there may be an invasion of foreign firms and this may swamp the local lawyers.

“ There's need for a mechanism whereby local practitioners are protected. It is important that they get used to the idea of having to work and compete with foreign firms.

“ Furthermore, there seems to be too much power in the hands of the Attorney General, who happens to be a political nominee. It should be the Judiciary that handles this issue in the spirit of the separation,” says Ganoo. Counsel Yatin Varma, also an MP, welcomes the move and finds it a sea of opportunities for the young lawyers. However, he calls for measures to guard against monopoly situation if a big foreign firm partners a big local firm. Nando Bodha, MP and barrister, advises caution and a gradual liberalisation of the sector.