Procedures
English-style procedure over French substantive law, with Privy Council appeals
Civil procedure and evidence are English, administered by the Supreme Court and its Commercial and Family Divisions, while the substantive claim is pleaded under the Code Civil. Prescription follows the Civil Code — generally ten years for personal actions since the 2005 reform, and shorter for specific claims.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — District, Intermediate and Supreme Courts; final appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
- Deadline — Personal actions generally prescribe after 10 years
- Deadline — Appeal to the Privy Council: leave sought within 21 days of the Supreme Court judgment
Governing law
- Supreme Court Rules 2000
- Code Civil Mauricien — prescription
- Courts Act 1945
- International Arbitration Act 2008
In practice
A Mauritian pleading cites the Code Civil for the cause of action and the Supreme Court Rules for the process, and may end in London. The International Arbitration Act 2008, drafted with UNCITRAL input, was designed to make Mauritius a seat for African arbitration, with the Privy Council as the supervisory appellate court.