Private Clients
Chafter Raouadi acts as Tunisian local counsel for foreign law firms, courts and private clients on divorce, succession and family law matters involving Tunisia.
We regularly assist foreign lawyers, notaries and private clients on the Tunisian aspects of cross-border divorce, succession and estate matters. Our practice is limited to matters involving an international element — typically Tunisian nationals or dual nationals residing abroad, or foreign nationals with assets, family ties or prior proceedings in Tunisia.
Our team has particular experience in the recognition of foreign judgments in Tunisia, the handling of the Tunisian aspects of international successions, and the preparation of legal opinions and expert testimony on Tunisian law for use in foreign proceedings.
Divorce Recognition & Transcription
We assist clients and foreign counsel with the recognition and transcription of foreign divorce judgments in Tunisia.
Our assistance includes:
- Recognition (exequatur) of foreign divorce judgments before the Tunisian courts;
- Transcription of foreign divorce decrees onto Tunisian civil status records;
- Coordination with the Tunisian civil registry and consular authorities;
- Advice on the effects of a foreign divorce under Tunisian law, including custody, alimony and matrimonial property;
- Assistance with related administrative formalities in Tunisia following a foreign divorce.
We work closely with foreign counsel and clients to ensure that a divorce obtained abroad is properly recognised and given effect in Tunisia, avoiding delays or complications in related administrative or civil status matters.
Legal Opinions & Expert Testimony for Foreign Courts
We prepare legal opinions and provide expert testimony on Tunisian law for use in foreign court proceedings.
Our assistance includes:
- Legal opinions on Tunisian law for foreign courts, arbitral tribunals and administrative authorities;
- Expert witness testimony on Tunisian law in foreign litigation;
- Affidavits and certificates of Tunisian law;
- Assistance with letters rogatory and judicial cooperation requests involving Tunisia;
- Advice to foreign counsel on Tunisian procedural requirements affecting cross-border proceedings.
We regularly assist foreign law firms who require a clear, reliable statement of Tunisian law to support proceedings taking place outside Tunisia.
International Succession & Inheritance
We advise on the Tunisian aspects of cross-border successions and estates.
Our assistance includes:
- Advice on Tunisian inheritance law and its application to cross-border estates;
- Handling of the Tunisian aspects of an international succession, including assets and heirs located in Tunisia;
- Estate administration and executorships in Tunisia;
- Assistance with the transfer, registration or liquidation of Tunisian assets forming part of an estate;
- Advice on matrimonial property regimes with cross-border implications.
Tunisian succession law includes specific rules that may apply irrespective of the law otherwise governing the estate. We advise foreign counsel and private clients on how these rules interact with the succession as a whole, and assist in coordinating the Tunisian aspects with the rest of the estate administration.
Working with Foreign Counsel
We regularly work alongside foreign law firms and notaries handling divorce, succession and estate matters, acting as Tunisian local counsel to address the Tunisian legal aspects of the matter while foreign counsel continues to lead the proceedings abroad.
This close collaboration allows clients and their foreign advisers to benefit from a coordinated approach, ensuring that Tunisian procedures, timelines and formal requirements are properly addressed alongside the broader cross-border matter.
