Bio
Sharmilla Bhima is a partner in the corporate department in Mauritius. She began her career as a practising barrister in general private practice, gaining exposure to both offshore commercial and litigation matters before joining the firm in August 2007.
She is an independent director on the board of directors of the Bank of Mauritius.
Sharmilla has specialised in international arbitration. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK and the International Council for Commercial Arbitration.
She is an arbitrator on the (i) Mauritius International Arbitration Centre (‘MIAC’) (ii) MARC Panel of Arbitrators of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (‘MARC’) and (iii) World Intellectual Property Organisation (‘WIPO’)
She regularly intervenes in webinars organised by the MARC to promote international arbitration. She formed part of the team that was responsible for opening the former LCIA chapter in Mauritius on international arbitration when the LCIA set up the LCIA-MIAC international arbitration centre jointly with the Government of Mauritius in 2011, from which it officially withdrew as from 27 July 2018.
She is also a contributing author for Lexis Nexis, representing Appleby on international arbitration matters related to the Mauritian jurisdiction. Her experience extends to insurance claims arbitration, having served as a Vice-Chairman of the Motor Vehicle Insurance Arbitration Committee.
She has acquired expertise on intellectual property law, advising regularly on IP protection. As Chairperson of the Industrial Property Tribunal she helped the Government of Mauritius adopt the Copyright Act 2014 and the Industrial Property Act 2019.
Dedicated to community service she helped launch the Appleby Legal Education Scholarship in Mauritius, served as the President of The English-Speaking Union (Mauritius) from 2009 to 2011 and, contributes to CPD courses and presentations at the Institute of Judicial Legal Studies (IJLS) of Mauritius.
Bio
Sharmilla Bhima is a partner in the corporate department in Mauritius. She began her career as a practising barrister in general private practice, gaining exposure to both offshore commercial and litigation matters before joining the firm in August 2007.
She is an independent director on the board of directors of the Bank of Mauritius.
Sharmilla has specialised in international arbitration. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK and the International Council for Commercial Arbitration.
She is an arbitrator on the (i) Mauritius International Arbitration Centre (‘MIAC’) (ii) MARC Panel of Arbitrators of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (‘MARC’) and (iii) World Intellectual Property Organisation (‘WIPO’)
She regularly intervenes in webinars organised by the MARC to promote international arbitration. She formed part of the team that was responsible for opening the former LCIA chapter in Mauritius on international arbitration when the LCIA set up the LCIA-MIAC international arbitration centre jointly with the Government of Mauritius in 2011, from which it officially withdrew as from 27 July 2018.
She is also a contributing author for Lexis Nexis, representing Appleby on international arbitration matters related to the Mauritian jurisdiction. Her experience extends to insurance claims arbitration, having served as a Vice-Chairman of the Motor Vehicle Insurance Arbitration Committee.
She has acquired expertise on intellectual property law, advising regularly on IP protection. As Chairperson of the Industrial Property Tribunal she helped the Government of Mauritius adopt the Copyright Act 2014 and the Industrial Property Act 2019.
Dedicated to community service she helped launch the Appleby Legal Education Scholarship in Mauritius, served as the President of The English-Speaking Union (Mauritius) from 2009 to 2011 and, contributes to CPD courses and presentations at the Institute of Judicial Legal Studies (IJLS) of Mauritius.
Work Highlights
Sharmilla is involved in transactional and undertook some non-transactional matters.
On the transactional side, she has worked on a number of transactions for financial institutions, private equity and hedge fund clients, credit restructuring, derivatives transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate, insolvency, fund and trust formation and disputes as well as employment law matters (both contentious and non-contentious), including Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Axis Bank Ltd, Bank of America, Banque Cantonale de Geneve, Barclays Bank PLC, BMCE Bank International, Citibank N.A., Citigroup, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, Coutts & Co., Credit Suisse AG, Deutsche Bank AG, Electro Banque, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, ICICI, JP Morgan, Lloyds TSB Bank, Macquarie Bank Ltd, Morgan Stanley, National Australia Bank Limited, Royal Bank of Scotland, Société Générale, Stanbic Bank Ghana Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank, UBS AG, AlcatelLucent, The Daiichi Mutual Life Insurance Company, DAMAC Holdings Co, LLC, Dallah Albaraka (Ireland) Ltd, Gateway Telecommunications, Kerzner International Group, Interswitch, Johnson & Johnson and SAB Miller Plc.
Some recent examples of work include:
Corporate:
- Trident Energy Acquisition Facility: Advised a consortium of lenders (Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Absa Bank, ING Bank N.V., The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd, and Trafigura PTE Ltd) on a USD 360 million reserves-backed term facility. The facility financed Trident Energy Production Ltd’s acquisition of Chevron Overseas (Congo) Limited, securing a 31.5% shareholding in the Moho-Bilondo, Nkossa, and Nsoko II fields, plus a 15.75% operated interest in the Lianzi field in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The transaction was part of a larger project enabling Trident Energy to achieve an 85% working interest in the Nkossa and Nsolo II fields through simultaneous agreements with TotalEnergies.
- EAAIF – Multi-lender Debt Raises: Advised the EAAIF on a USD 294 million debt raise, a significant blended capital raise involving a consortium of prominent financial institutions including the Allianz Group, Standard Bank Group, and KfW, aimed at further developing African infrastructure. Subsequently, advised the EAAIF on a USD 41 million borrowing from Swedfund. This borrowing specifically targets climate-resilient projects in Asia, focusing on digital connectivity, as part of the EAAIF’s objective to raise USD 500 million for infrastructure development and extend its investment reach to Asia with a USD 1 billion target.
- EAAIF – Export Finance Australia Financing: Advised the EAAIF on USD 100 million borrowing from The Export Finance Australia. The financing was dedicated to significant infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia, focusing on renewable energy, digital communications and sustainable transport. These projects aim to boost investment in sustainable infrastructure, foster green growth, and build robust supply chains. This initiative supports the EAAIF’s broader ambition to invest over USD 1 billion in African and Asian infrastructure by 2028.
- M2P Solutions Private Limited: provided comprehensive advice to an Indian Fintech operating company on the outsourcing of data under the Data Protection Act.
- Selfkey: advised on its revolutionary digital identity token sale of USD 22 million for its innovative blockchain-based identity management platform, thereby enabling individuals and companies own, control and manage their digital identity.
- Rockcastle Global Real Estate Company Limited: advised on merger of its South African related fund with South African New Europe Property Limited (NEPI). This strategic consolidation resulted in the formation of the largest European real estate company of its kind Europe and one of the largest European real estate retail companies.
On the non-transactional matters, Sharmilla represents a diverse clientele ranging from prominent Australian banks to major foreign insurance companies before the Supreme Court. Her practice includes applications to enforce foreign judgments, derivative actions by minority shareholders and ship arrest, all of which are now leading authorities
Dispute Resolution:
Industrial law disputes – security for costs
Alexander Van Hoeken v Africa Technical Services Ltd: Appeared for Africa Technical Services Ltd before the Industrial Court of Mauritius in which the Industrial Court awarded an historic amount of MUR 100,000 [± USD 2,800] as security of costs for a labour law dispute.
Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
Dallah Albaraka (Ireland) Ltd v Pentasoft & anor: Appeared for Dallah Albaraka (Ireland) Ltd, the investment arm of the Dubai-based Dallah Albaraka Group, to successfully enforce a judgement obtained against the parent company of a Mauritian company before the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice for breach of guarantee. This case is now a leading authority on the procedure to follow to enforce a judgment delivered by a superior court of England and Wales. It also addressed important issues such as, the legal significance of a party labelled as ‘CoRespondent’ in proceedings and, the status of legal practitioners employed by law firms registered under the Law Practitioner’s Act1984.
BayerHealthcare LLC v Suvaman: Appeared for BayerHealthcare LLC to successfully enforce a judgment that it obtained in the USA against a Mauritius company for breach of a federally protected trademark.
Applications for Derivative actions
- Appearing before the Court of Appeal for the majority shareholder of a Mauritian company, which challenged the decision of the Bankruptcy Division of the Supreme Court to grant leave to the minority shareholder to enter proceedings in the name of the company for alleged prejudice to it as a result of wrongdoings by the directors. The Court of Appeal upheld Appleby’s interpretation of legislation on the concurrence of two pieces of legislation dealing with the jurisdiction of the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Sharmilla is involved in transactional and undertook some non-transactional matters.
On the transactional side, she has worked on a number of transactions for financial institutions, private equity and hedge fund clients, credit restructuring, derivatives transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate, insolvency, fund and trust formation and disputes as well as employment law matters (both contentious and non-contentious), including Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Axis Bank Ltd, Bank of America, Banque Cantonale de Geneve, Barclays Bank PLC, BMCE Bank International, Citibank N.A., Citigroup, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, Coutts & Co., Credit Suisse AG, Deutsche Bank AG, Electro Banque, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, ICICI, JP Morgan, Lloyds TSB Bank, Macquarie Bank Ltd, Morgan Stanley, National Australia Bank Limited, Royal Bank of Scotland, Société Générale, Stanbic Bank Ghana Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank, UBS AG, AlcatelLucent, The Daiichi Mutual Life Insurance Company, DAMAC Holdings Co, LLC, Dallah Albaraka (Ireland) Ltd, Gateway Telecommunications, Kerzner International Group, Interswitch, Johnson & Johnson and SAB Miller Plc.
Some recent examples of work include:
Corporate:
- Trident Energy Acquisition Facility: Advised a consortium of lenders (Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Absa Bank, ING Bank N.V., The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd, and Trafigura PTE Ltd) on a USD 360 million reserves-backed term facility. The facility financed Trident Energy Production Ltd’s acquisition of Chevron Overseas (Congo) Limited, securing a 31.5% shareholding in the Moho-Bilondo, Nkossa, and Nsoko II fields, plus a 15.75% operated interest in the Lianzi field in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The transaction was part of a larger project enabling Trident Energy to achieve an 85% working interest in the Nkossa and Nsolo II fields through simultaneous agreements with TotalEnergies.
- EAAIF – Multi-lender Debt Raises: Advised the EAAIF on a USD 294 million debt raise, a significant blended capital raise involving a consortium of prominent financial institutions including the Allianz Group, Standard Bank Group, and KfW, aimed at further developing African infrastructure. Subsequently, advised the EAAIF on a USD 41 million borrowing from Swedfund. This borrowing specifically targets climate-resilient projects in Asia, focusing on digital connectivity, as part of the EAAIF’s objective to raise USD 500 million for infrastructure development and extend its investment reach to Asia with a USD 1 billion target.
- EAAIF – Export Finance Australia Financing: Advised the EAAIF on USD 100 million borrowing from The Export Finance Australia. The financing was dedicated to significant infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia, focusing on renewable energy, digital communications and sustainable transport. These projects aim to boost investment in sustainable infrastructure, foster green growth, and build robust supply chains. This initiative supports the EAAIF’s broader ambition to invest over USD 1 billion in African and Asian infrastructure by 2028.
- M2P Solutions Private Limited: provided comprehensive advice to an Indian Fintech operating company on the outsourcing of data under the Data Protection Act.
- Selfkey: advised on its revolutionary digital identity token sale of USD 22 million for its innovative blockchain-based identity management platform, thereby enabling individuals and companies own, control and manage their digital identity.
- Rockcastle Global Real Estate Company Limited: advised on merger of its South African related fund with South African New Europe Property Limited (NEPI). This strategic consolidation resulted in the formation of the largest European real estate company of its kind Europe and one of the largest European real estate retail companies.
On the non-transactional matters, Sharmilla represents a diverse clientele ranging from prominent Australian banks to major foreign insurance companies before the Supreme Court. Her practice includes applications to enforce foreign judgments, derivative actions by minority shareholders and ship arrest, all of which are now leading authorities
Dispute Resolution:
Industrial law disputes – security for costs
Alexander Van Hoeken v Africa Technical Services Ltd: Appeared for Africa Technical Services Ltd before the Industrial Court of Mauritius in which the Industrial Court awarded an historic amount of MUR 100,000 [± USD 2,800] as security of costs for a labour law dispute.
Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
Dallah Albaraka (Ireland) Ltd v Pentasoft & anor: Appeared for Dallah Albaraka (Ireland) Ltd, the investment arm of the Dubai-based Dallah Albaraka Group, to successfully enforce a judgement obtained against the parent company of a Mauritian company before the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice for breach of guarantee. This case is now a leading authority on the procedure to follow to enforce a judgment delivered by a superior court of England and Wales. It also addressed important issues such as, the legal significance of a party labelled as ‘CoRespondent’ in proceedings and, the status of legal practitioners employed by law firms registered under the Law Practitioner’s Act1984.
BayerHealthcare LLC v Suvaman: Appeared for BayerHealthcare LLC to successfully enforce a judgment that it obtained in the USA against a Mauritius company for breach of a federally protected trademark.
Applications for Derivative actions
- Appearing before the Court of Appeal for the majority shareholder of a Mauritian company, which challenged the decision of the Bankruptcy Division of the Supreme Court to grant leave to the minority shareholder to enter proceedings in the name of the company for alleged prejudice to it as a result of wrongdoings by the directors. The Court of Appeal upheld Appleby’s interpretation of legislation on the concurrence of two pieces of legislation dealing with the jurisdiction of the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Recognition
- Business Leaders (Business Magazine) : Business Leader in Mauritius in the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 editions.
- Legal 500 (2025) (Europe, Middle East & Africa):
Sharmilla is a key team member and ‘brings a wealth of knowledge in insolvency and finance law.’
‘Sharmilla‘s approach is highly client-centric, with a focus on understanding the broader business implications of every legal matter. She is known for her strategic thinking and practical solutions, which have been key to securing successful outcomes for our clients.’
- IFLR 1000 (2025): Highly Regarded (Financial and Corporate)
- IFLR 1000 (2024): Notable Practitioner
- The Legal 500 (Legalese) (2021) & (2022) : ‘Sharmilla Bhima is Excellent’
Sharmilla Bhima has been excellent in her service delivery. She impressed me with her ability to appreciate both the legal and commercial aims of the client. She was proactive in guiding on aspects that we had not thought of, but which would have an impact on our transaction and timeline to closing. She was available to discuss and her turnaround time was commendable.’
- Business Leaders (Business Magazine) : Business Leader in Mauritius in the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 editions.
- Legal 500 (2025) (Europe, Middle East & Africa):
Sharmilla is a key team member and ‘brings a wealth of knowledge in insolvency and finance law.’
‘Sharmilla‘s approach is highly client-centric, with a focus on understanding the broader business implications of every legal matter. She is known for her strategic thinking and practical solutions, which have been key to securing successful outcomes for our clients.’
- IFLR 1000 (2025): Highly Regarded (Financial and Corporate)
- IFLR 1000 (2024): Notable Practitioner
- The Legal 500 (Legalese) (2021) & (2022) : ‘Sharmilla Bhima is Excellent’
Sharmilla Bhima has been excellent in her service delivery. She impressed me with her ability to appreciate both the legal and commercial aims of the client. She was proactive in guiding on aspects that we had not thought of, but which would have an impact on our transaction and timeline to closing. She was available to discuss and her turnaround time was commendable.’
Coverage & Insights
- “Investing in Mauritius – Ocean of Opportunities”: contributed to a chapter on the protection of intellectual property law.
- “Doing Business in Mauritius – A Practical Guide” : contributed to a chapter on the protection of intellectual property law.
- “Doing Business in Mauritius – A Practical Guide” (3rd edition 2020): she provided a testimonial.
- “Investing in Mauritius – Ocean of Opportunities”: contributed to a chapter on the protection of intellectual property law.
- “Doing Business in Mauritius – A Practical Guide” : contributed to a chapter on the protection of intellectual property law.
- “Doing Business in Mauritius – A Practical Guide” (3rd edition 2020): she provided a testimonial.
Qualifications & Education
- Called to the English Bar: Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn (July 1998).
- Called to the Mauritian Bar: (September 1999)
- Pupillage: Thomas More Chambers, London (England)
She has specialised in (i) international financial and commercial law with King’s College London and (ii) international arbitration with Queen Mary University of London and the World Intellectual Property Organisation. She has an interest in Blockchain and FinTech and the emerging technologies.
- King’s College London (England)
- Said Business School, University of Oxford (England)
- Queen Mary University of London (England)
- The University of Reading (England)
- BPP Law School, London (England)
- World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) (Switzerland)
- Called to the English Bar: Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn (July 1998).
- Called to the Mauritian Bar: (September 1999)
- Pupillage: Thomas More Chambers, London (England)
She has specialised in (i) international financial and commercial law with King’s College London and (ii) international arbitration with Queen Mary University of London and the World Intellectual Property Organisation. She has an interest in Blockchain and FinTech and the emerging technologies.
- King’s College London (England)
- Said Business School, University of Oxford (England)
- Queen Mary University of London (England)
- The University of Reading (England)
- BPP Law School, London (England)
- World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) (Switzerland)
Memberships & Associations
- The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK);
- International Council for Commercial Arbitration;
- The American Chamber of Commerce, Mauritius;
- The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, UK and currently serves as the Vice-President of the Alumni branch of Lincoln’s Inn in Mauritius; and
- The Mauritius Bar Association – served as a co-opted member in 2007-2008
- The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK);
- International Council for Commercial Arbitration;
- The American Chamber of Commerce, Mauritius;
- The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, UK and currently serves as the Vice-President of the Alumni branch of Lincoln’s Inn in Mauritius; and
- The Mauritius Bar Association – served as a co-opted member in 2007-2008