Phanar is an international law firm acutely aware of the strategic and economic significance of francophone Africa in the light of its immense natural and human resources. Our team understands the local legal and cultural context of the region giving it a unique local insight which is reflected in the excellence of its advice.
Phanar has a strategic alliance with Sylla & Partners, a leading firm in West Africa based in Guinea. This relationship allows Phanar to provide end-to-end seamless advice across the OHADA region applied sensitively in a local context.
The Phanar team has a blend of skills which allow it to add value based on three pillars:
Our team therefore comprises bilingual and dually trained lawyers, combining practical civil law and common law experience and expertise, which allows it to give best advice to clients rooted in genuine on the ground knowledge.
Our involvement in groundbreaking projects in Africa (including the high profile Simandou- project) is testimony to Phanar’s excellence.
In addition to their language and cultural skills, Phanar’s lawyers have a deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework applicable to the industry sectors of their clients (particularly, natural resources, mining and infrastructure).
Accordingly Phanar has huge experience in assisting its clients in the mining and natural resources sector. We advise our clients on all aspects of their mining projects, as is evidenced by our listed clients, and epitomised by our involvement in the Simandou South project.
Whilst the team has proven technical skills, these are combined with a solid understanding of the commercial aspects of any transaction. This commercial understanding informs Phanar’s approach to due diligence allowing it to tailor its approach and add value.
Our team offers robust support on operational aspects including associated practical issues such as acquiring mining titles, permits and licences as well as health and safety, environmental and regulatory aspects (including bribery and corruption).
Quite apart from the operational aspects, Phanar also advises on all the transactional needs throughout the life cycle of a natural resources project, namely from the initial equity fund raising, debt and project financing, mining agreements, M&A, takeovers, IPOs and restructurings.
We advise mining companies, governments, sponsors and promoters, lenders, entrepreneurs, engineering consultancies, traders, funds, banks and other financial institutions as well as shareholders and boards, particularly on compliance, governance and corporate matters.
Given that a large proportion of advice in the natural resources sector relates to emerging markets, we have the benefit of world class professional contacts, particularly in Africa and the CIS.At Phanar our lawyers combine local and international experience with an intimate understanding of international best practice.