Launching of the book “ Law of Banking in Mauritius “ by Siv Potayya
This important work which was officially launched on Wednesday 27 May 2026 by His Excellency the President of the Republic, in the distinguished presence of the Honourable Attorney-General, members of the Bench and Bar, and many eminent guests, marked a significant contribution to Mauritian legal literature.
The book is a substantial and impressive undertaking. Running into no fewer than 263 pages, it traverses the law relating to banking in Mauritius from “Abandoned Funds” to “Winding Up Orders”. It contains a foreword by the Honourable Attorney-General, Mr Gavin Glover SC, a prologue by Mr Rundheersing Bheenick the Chairman of the SBM Bank (Mauritius), together with a preface and introduction by the author himself.
The work is divided into five carefully structured parts dealing respectively with,
1) the regulatory framework governing banking activities,
2) the relationship between banker and customer,
3) cheques and bills of exchange,
4) interference by third parties and proceedings to restrain sales by levy,
5) negotiable instruments, letters of credit, promissory notes and performance bonds.
This book has clearly been a labour of love. It has been ten years in the making. Such dedication, perseverance and intellectual discipline deserve admiration and respect.
In many respects, therefore, this book brings together both strands of Siv’s professional life: banking and the law.
This is now Siv’s fifth legal publication, a remarkable achievement by any standard and one which places him amongst the small group of Mauritian practitioners who have devoted themselves not merely to practice, but also to legal scholarship and the transmission of knowledge.
Works of this nature are indispensable for the development of a mature legal system. They provide guidance to practitioners, assistance to the judiciary, instruction to students and, above all, they help consolidate Mauritian jurisprudence in specialised fields of law.
Siv Potayya launched his book on the 27 May 2026 at the Municipal Council of Port Louis, Mauritius in the presence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius and the Attorney General.
In smaller jurisdictions such as Mauritius, this is no small matter. The demands of practice are considerable, and the pressures of professional life often leave little room for reflection, research and writing. Yet the development of our legal system depends precisely on those who are prepared to undertake that effort. When practitioners share their experience, organise the law, and place it within a clear analytical framework, they enrich the collective understanding of the profession and strengthen the foundations of the rule of law.
Siv has done this consistently. Over the years, he has shown a commitment not only to practising law, but also to explaining it. His previous works already stand as useful reference points for both practitioners and students. This new work, devoted to the law of banking in Mauritius, continues that effort in a field that is central to the functioning of our economy and our legal order.
Banking law sits at the intersection of commerce, regulation and private rights. It affects financial institutions, businesses and individuals alike. A clear exposition of the principles governing this area – and of their challenges – is therefore of practical value not only to lawyers but also to those who interact with the banking system in their daily lives. Siv Potayya approaches the subject with the clarity and pragmatism that one would expect from someone who has spent many years confronting these issues in practice.
The legal profession, like any serious discipline, requires humility before learning. None of us ever finishes learning the law. Each generation contributes a little more to the body of knowledge that we inherit and then pass on. Works such as this one form part of that quiet but essential process. They reflect a willingness to strive for excellence while recognising that the law itself is always evolving.
Mauritius benefits when members of its legal community take the time to write, to analyse and to share their knowledge. In doing so, they strengthen our institutions and deepen our understanding of the law. Siv Potayya’s work is part of that tradition, and this book will undoubtedly prove a useful companion to practitioners, students and readers interested in the development of banking law in our jurisdiction.
