Michael Bula Solicitors

International Lawyers

AFRICA
African Law

MBS is one of the rare Australian firms specialising in African matters.

Directly or through its associated businesses Corporate Language Communications and Traductions Françaises it can deal with countries where official languages are:

  • English
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • Arabic and
  • Other African languages.
Mining and Commercial Sectors
MBS acts for Australian companies, notably in the mining and commercial sectors, to assist in legal, translation, interpreting and negotiation work with respect to step-by-step procedures guiding clients through incorporation of corporate vehicles, permit matters, contracts and joint venture agreements as well as liaison with Ministers, government Departments and governments generally.
Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (l’Organisation pour l’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires) (OHADA)
The OHADA was established by a treaty signed on 17 October 1993 in Port-Louis, Mauritius, whose objectives are to:
  • promote regional integration and economic growth
  • enhance legal reliability for the harmonisation of business law
  • implement uniform business laws
  • provide an arbitration system
  • create such institutions as:
    • A Council of Ministers
    • A common court of justice and arbitration
    • A permanent secretariat
    • A higher regional school of judges
  • enact uniform acts which cover:
    • General commercial law
    • Company and commercial interest grouping law
    • Securities law
    • Debt recovery and enforcement law
    • Bankruptcy
    • Arbitration
    • Accounting for Enterprises
    • Contracts for the carriage of goods by road

    throughout its member states, simplifying and harmonising dealings with these jurisdictions.

Member states currently are:
Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon Central African
Republic
Comoros Congo Ivory Coast Gabon
 
Guinea Guinea Bissau Equatorial Guinea Mali
 
Niger Senegal Chad Togo
 
On 19 October 2006, for Australia, Michael Bula was appointed the official correspondent and representative of the Paris-based Association for the Unification of African Law (UNIDA) or L'Association pour l'Unification du Droit en Afrique. This prestigious appointment provides a unique insight into the workings of the OHADA and all the most up-to-date and latest information.

MBS has worked extensively with matters relating to the jurisdictions of the OHADA treaty member states.
Law Firm Agents
We facilitate all client transactions with the numerous African jurisdictions through our unique knowledge of local and comparative legal systems.
We have specific legal system experience through a carefully selected international network of law firm agents in the jurisdiction and our correspondent status of the Union Internationale du Notariat Latin - Commission des Affaires Africaines being the French-speaking African notaries association.
Consulate General of the Republic of Senegal in Australia
The office of MBS houses the Consulate General of the Republic of Senegal. Michael Bula was appointed Honorary Consul General in September 2003. He is one of the few lawyers to hold such a position.

The appointment is recognition of MBS's involvement in Africa and will facilitate legal and notarial work as well as trade between Australia and Africa.

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