Banking and Finance
Chafter Raouadi advises international banks, financial institutions, development finance institutions, investors, companies and foreign law firms on banking and finance transactions involving Tunisia.
We regularly work with foreign law firms, lenders, arrangers, financial advisers and other transaction advisers, acting as Tunisian local counsel on cross-border financing and capital markets transactions. By working as part of the wider transaction team, we ensure that the Tunisian legal and regulatory aspects are considered alongside the financial, commercial and broader objectives of the transaction.
Our banking and finance practice focuses on the Tunisian aspects of international transactions, including regulatory and foreign exchange requirements, financing documentation, due diligence, security arrangements and the implementation and enforcement of financing structures.
Our practice combines transactional, regulatory and contentious expertise, with particular experience in cross-border financing, foreign exchange regulations, project finance, financial regulatory matters and the enforcement of security interests in Tunisia.
International Financing & Cross-Border Lending
Chafter Raouadi assists international lenders, development finance institutions, banks, investors and Tunisian borrowers in connection with financing transactions involving Tunisia.
Our experience includes:
- International loans and cross-border financing;
- Loans to Tunisian companies, financial institutions and microfinance institutions;
- Development finance and institutional lending;
- Financing provided by international financial institutions;
- Cross-border lending and investment structures;
- Legal due diligence on Tunisian borrowers and security providers;
- Corporate authorisations and regulatory approvals;
- Conditions precedent and transaction documentation;
- Guarantees, security arrangements and enforcement;
- Disbursement, repayment and servicing of international loans.
We advise clients on the Tunisian foreign exchange and regulatory requirements applicable to international financing, including the movement of funds into and out of Tunisia, repayment of foreign loans, guarantees and related security arrangements.
Where required, we coordinate with Tunisian banks, the Central Bank of Tunisia and other relevant authorities to address regulatory and foreign exchange matters affecting the transaction.
Project Finance & Infrastructure Financing
We advise sponsors, lenders, investors and project companies on the financing of infrastructure and investment projects in Tunisia.
Our work includes:
- Project finance structures;
- Infrastructure and development financing;
- Public-private partnership (PPP) financing;
- Financing of investment and industrial projects;
- Security packages and guarantees;
- Due diligence and regulatory approvals;
- Financing documentation and conditions precedent;
- Enforcement and restructuring of financing arrangements.
Financial Services & Regulatory
We advise Tunisian and international financial institutions on the legal and regulatory framework applicable to their activities in Tunisia, including:
- Licensing and regulatory approvals for banks and other financial institutions;
- Establishment of branches, subsidiaries and representative offices;
- Regulatory requirements, governance and compliance;
- Anti-money laundering and regulatory reporting requirements;
- Structuring and drafting of banking and financial services agreements;
- Regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings;
- Banking and financial services litigation.
Corporate & Acquisition Finance
We advise lenders, borrowers and investors on financing transactions supporting corporate acquisitions, investments and business expansion, including:
- Acquisition finance;
- Corporate finance;
- Leveraged and syndicated finance;
- Real estate finance;
- Asset finance;
- Structured finance;
- Guarantees and security interests;
- Islamic finance.
Capital Markets
We advise issuers, investors and financial institutions on capital markets transactions and related regulatory matters, including:
- IPOs and rights offerings;
- Structuring of capital markets transactions;
- Regulatory and disclosure requirements;
- Drafting and review of transaction documentation;
- Ongoing reporting and market disclosure obligations;
- Capital markets litigation and regulatory matters.
Security, Guarantees & Enforcement
We advise lenders and financial institutions on the structuring, perfection and enforcement of security interests and guarantees under Tunisian law.
Our assistance covers the legal assessment of available security, drafting and review of security documentation, regulatory and corporate requirements, enforcement procedures and recovery of amounts due.
Our lawyers also assist clients in connection with defaults, restructuring, debt recovery and financing-related disputes.
