01 · arrest
Attend the police station
Record the arrest, custody events, requests for advice and any statement; production before a court must follow without undue delay.
criminal law
A criminal lawyer in Mauritius, from the police station to appeal.
An arrest can lead to a police-station interview, a provisional charge, bail conditions and a trial. The work is to protect the record and prepare the defence.
criminal defence
The first account can shape
every later stage.
Criminal defence begins at the police station: custody, a statement under warning and the first court appearance. What is known is separated from what remains allegation.
The Bail Act 1999 governs bail, and a provisional information may remain while prosecutors decide whether to lodge a formal charge. Hearings are adjourned and disclosure takes time, so the record is kept in one chronology.
the criminal process
The stages of a criminal matter in Mauritius.
02 · provisional information
Address bail
The provisional information is distinguished from a formal charge; bail is addressed under the Bail Act 1999.
03 · preparation
Review the disclosure
Disclosure, statements and exhibits are reviewed for gaps, inconsistencies and defence evidence before the hearing.
04 · trial
Prepare the hearing
The charge determines whether trial is before the District Court, Intermediate Court or Assizes.
05 · sentence
Put mitigation in order
On conviction, mitigation addresses the facts relevant to sentence; the order is explained.
06 · appeal
Consider the appeal
Appeals are considered under the Criminal Appeal and Criminal Review Act 2025, in force since 5 January 2026.
This is a map, not a promise of timing; the route depends on the charge, the court and the evidence.
the work in context
Different allegations. The same disciplined record.
documents & regulation
White-collar and regulatory matters
White-collar matters turn on transactions and records; road-traffic and drug allegations fall under the Road Traffic Act and Dangerous Drugs Act 2000.
younger defendants
Children’s Court
The chambers appears before the Children’s Court, where a child’s position is kept distinct from the connected criminal process.
access to representation
Legal aid
Legal aid under the Legal Aid and Legal Assistance Act 2025, in force since 5 January 2026, is means-tested.
plain answers
Criminal law questions.
I have been arrested — what do I do?
Ask for legal advice before giving a detailed account or signing a statement. Record the arrest, the station, the alleged offence and any medical concern. A detained person must be brought before a court without undue delay; the first appearance may involve a provisional information and bail. This is general information; advice depends on the custody record.
What is a provisional charge and how long can it last?
A provisional information, commonly called a provisional charge, is an early allegation before a District Court, not the formal information for trial. It may remain while the investigation continues; there is no responsible universal duration. Bail conditions can restrict travel. This is general information; advice on delay or strike-out needs the court record.
Am I blocked from leaving the country because of a court case?
Not every court case prevents travel. A restriction may arise from bail conditions or another court order, so the wording of the order matters. Read the bail form and seek advice before booking. A variation is case-specific and no result can be promised. This is general information; advice needs the order in force.
How much time will the case take?
No one can responsibly give one duration. A case may pass through investigation, a provisional information, disclosure, trial and sentence. The useful question is which stage has been reached and what can be prepared now. This is general information; advice needs the file and court history.
related reading
The general position, before your own facts.
Police custody and detention
Court production without undue delay, statements, access to advice and the records worth keeping in custody.
read the guide →Bail under the 1999 Act
Bail under the Bail Act 1999 is a case-specific application: objections, conditions, remand and compliance after release.
read the guide →The criminal court process
From the first District Court appearance to plea, disclosure, trial, sentence and appeal.
read the guide →private consultation
Begin with the next known event.
Set out what happened, where the person is held, the alleged offence and any next date.