Business Law

Local Counsel / Corresponding Counsel in Tunisia

A local legal partner for cross-border transactions, investment and disputes in Tunisia. When an international law firm works on a matter involving Tunisia, it needs a counterpart who masters Tunisian law, local procedures and the regulatory constraints of the file. That coordination is especially important in acquisitions, legal audits, international financings, restructurings and cross-border disputes. Engaging Tunisian local counsel lets the foreign firm keep control of the client relationship and international coordination, while having local legal support tailored to the matter.

Tunisia in 2026: legal issues tied to international investment

Recent economic data confirm the scale of activity involving foreign investors in Tunisia. These figures illustrate the breadth of international economic activity for which Tunisian legal analysis may be required.

TND 1,929.5m

international investment as at end-June 2026 (+11.5% vs 2025) — source TAP, 19 August 2026.

TND 1,911.8m

foreign direct investment as at end-June 2026.

72%

of FDI flows concentrated in manufacturing (energy 19%, services 7.7%).

4,296

foreign companies, for total investment of TND 53bn (Presidency of the Government, June 2026).

Why engage corresponding counsel in Tunisia?

International matters involving assets, companies, contracts or proceedings in Tunisia raise issues that require local-law analysis. Foreign documentation must be reviewed against applicable Tunisian rules, administrative formalities and sector-specific requirements.

Corresponding counsel can intervene in particular for:

✓International firms seeking a local partner for Tunisia-related matters
✓M&A and private equity teams running acquisitions, investments or restructurings
✓Banks and financial institutions involved in cross-border financings
✓Litigation and arbitration teams needing Tunisian-law analysis, procedural follow-up or coordination with local parties
✓International in-house counsel facing company law, commercial, employment or regulatory compliance questions

Why engage corresponding counsel in Tunisia?

Our areas of work as local counsel

ANILF supports international firms on the Tunisian-law aspects of their matters, in coordination with the teams leading the engagement.

Mergers & acquisitions and private equity

ANILF can assist international firms on the Tunisian-law aspects of an acquisition or investment, including:

✓Legal due diligence on the companies and assets concerned
✓Analysis of the legal structure of the transaction and of shareholding
✓Identification of applicable authorisations, formalities and regulatory constraints
✓Review of contracts, warranties, commitments and legal risks
✓Analysis of shareholders' agreements and governance mechanisms
✓Legal assistance in preparing and implementing the transaction

Company and commercial law

Work may cover company formation and reorganisation, governance, relations between shareholders, capital increases, commercial contracts and the legal obligations of businesses operating in Tunisia.

ANILF can also contribute Tunisian-law analysis in international consultations or multi-jurisdictional matters.

Banking & finance and international financings

Cross-border financings can raise issues of deal structuring, guarantees, security interests, financing agreements and applicable regulatory requirements.

Corresponding counsel analyses the Tunisian-law aspects, identifies necessary formalities and coordinates local work with international financing teams.

Employment law and regulatory compliance

In an acquisition, market entry or restructuring, review of employment contracts, social obligations, applicable procedures and compliance risks can be decisive.

Local analysis lets the international firm factor these points into its overall assessment of transaction risk.

Litigation and international arbitration

ANILF can advise on Tunisian-law issues linked to a commercial dispute or international arbitration, depending on the nature of the matter and the instructing firm's needs.

Work may cover legal analysis, research and document preparation, review of evidence, local procedures and coordination with foreign counsel. Any representation before a court or arbitral tribunal depends on applicable rules, required authorisations and the mandate granted.

Collaboration tailored to international law firms

Corresponding counsel is not merely about delivering an answer on local law. It must fit efficiently into the organisation of the matter and the requirements of the firm leading the engagement.

Collaboration can rest in particular on:

✓An identified local contact to centralise requests and coordinate work
✓Targeted analyses adapted to the Tunisian-law questions raised by the matter
✓Cross-border coordination with transactional, contentious or regulatory teams
✓Structured communication, with deliverables suited to the timetable and needs of the matter
✓Confidentiality and conflicts management in line with applicable professional obligations
✓A clear definition of mandate, scope, responsibilities and fees

Collaboration tailored to international law firms

When to instruct Tunisian local counsel?

Local corresponding counsel can be considered from the earliest stages of a matter, in particular when:

✓An acquisition concerns a company incorporated in Tunisia
✓A foreign investor wishes to take a stake in a Tunisian business
✓An international financing involves guarantees or assets located in Tunisia
✓A company must check its regulatory obligations before market entry
✓An international dispute raises a Tunisian-law question
✓A foreign firm needs local legal analysis within a defined timeframe

Early involvement

Early involvement helps identify local constraints, integrate legal risks into the overall strategy and avoid regulatory issues surfacing late.

Working language, deliverable format and communication arrangements can be defined to match the international firm's and its client's requirements.

ANILF — Your legal correspondent in Tunisia

Looking for corresponding counsel in Tunisia for an M&A deal, due diligence, financing, foreign investment or cross-border dispute?

ANILF provides legal support on Tunisian-law issues, with an approach tailored to international law firms, in-house legal teams and investment stakeholders.

To explore a possible collaboration, share the outlines of the matter, the type of assistance sought and your timetable. After the necessary checks, we can clarify scope, coordination arrangements and engagement terms.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tunisian local counsel?+

Tunisian local counsel is a legal adviser on the Tunisian-law aspects of a matter led, wholly or in part, by a foreign firm or legal team. The role depends on the mandate, applicable professional rules and the nature of the transaction or dispute.

Can an international firm instruct Tunisian counsel for due diligence?+

Yes. The international firm can request Tunisian-law analysis covering, among other things, the target company, its contracts, governance, regulatory obligations, employment relationships and identified legal risks. Scope and deliverables are agreed in advance.

Can ANILF work on confidential matters?+

Information handling, confidentiality and communication must be organised in line with applicable professional obligations and the requirements of the matter. Availability for a new engagement must also be checked against potential conflicts of interest.

How do we set up a collaboration with ANILF?+

The international firm can outline the nature of the matter, the Tunisian-law questions to address, the timetable, expected deliverables and confidentiality constraints. These elements define the scope of the engagement and how collaboration will work.

Engage local counsel in Tunisia

International firm seeking Tunisian corresponding counsel: contact us.