The President of Cotonou's Commercial Court, Romain Koffi, has established an International Commercial Dispute Chamber (CCCI/S1) through an ordinance. This new chamber will specifically handle commercial cases with an international scope. The move aims to provide a specialized forum for resolving disputes involving foreign entities. The chamber's creation was made public on September 29, 2026, through ordinance number 141/2026/BJ/SJ/PTCC.
The new chamber will handle disputes involving one or more foreign companies, cases with conflicting laws, and requests related to the recognition of foreign arbitral awards. These cases will be examined by judges with experience in international commercial practices. The chamber will be presided over by the court's president or a delegated magistrate. The ordinance also provides for the chamber to have its own statistical tracking system.
The International Commercial Dispute Chamber will be seized electronically by the interested party or through referral from other chambers of the court. It will hold fortnightly hearings on the first and third Mondays of the month. The chamber will apply the OHADA law, which requires a court's approval for the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. This law provides a clear framework for the chamber's operations.
The ordinance provides for the composition, meeting room, and hearing schedules to be specified by the court's president. The new chamber complements the existing first section of the Cotonou Commercial Court, which handles banking, maritime, insurance, aviation, and financial disputes. The International Commercial Dispute Chamber will exclusively focus on international commercial cases.
The chamber's statistical data will be tracked separately and sent to the Minister of Justice and Legislation. This will enable the government to monitor the chamber's activities and assess its effectiveness. The creation of this specialized chamber is expected to improve the resolution of international commercial disputes in Benin.
The International Commercial Dispute Chamber is a significant development in Benin's judicial system. It demonstrates the country's efforts to create a favorable business environment by providing a specialized forum for resolving complex international commercial disputes. The chamber's establishment is expected to enhance Benin's reputation as a hub for international trade and commerce.
The new chamber's operations will be closely watched by businesses and investors. Its success will depend on its ability to provide efficient and effective dispute resolution services. The chamber's impact on Benin's economy and international trade relations will be significant.
Key points
- The International Commercial Dispute Chamber will handle disputes involving foreign companies and cases with conflicting laws.
