Peters & Peters notes with great satisfaction the judgment of the Honourable Mr Justice Robin Knowles CBE in the Republic of Mozambique litigation which was handed down on 29 July 2024.

The judgment represents a major milestone in the five years of litigation, initiated by the Attorney General of Mozambique, to hold the Privinvest Group and its late owner Mr Iskandar Safa responsible for their corruption of the former Minister of Finance Manuel Chang. The judge has upheld the Republic’s claims and awarded approximately $2 billion in damages, with interest and legal costs still to be assessed.

This represents a major victory for a sovereign state before the Commercial Court and vindicates the Republic of Mozambique’s decision to pursue justice for the ‘hidden debts’ scandal in London.

Our team comprised Keith Oliver, Sarah Gabriel, Jason Woodland, Emma Ruane, Philip Gardner, Clare Elliott, David Fitzpatrick, I-San Tiaw, Stephanie Williams, Cécile Nicod, Eliza Weder, Amalia Neenan FitzGerald.

Joe Smouha KC, Ciaran Keller and Akash Sonecha, of Essex Court, Jonathan Adkin KC and Zahler Bryan, of Serle Court, Richard Blakeley KC, of Brick Court, Ryan Ferro and Sarah Parker, of 3 Verulam Buildings, Edward Gilmore, of Twenty Essex, were instructed.