Gaurav Bhandari
Gaurav is a lawyer with over 18 years experience in commercial, tourism and information technology law.
Having commenced his career in project management and conservation, Gaurav joined the firm in 2005 and has been instrumental in expanding the firm’s hospitality practice, as well as handling a large variety of commercial and conveyancing matters. With experience in the tech scene, he successfully advised and consulted for the first ever locally developed core banking software product and Fintech application program interface in Kenya, going on to also consult and advise on also the first ever locally produced taxi mobile app system.
Gaurav advised and consulted for the Communications Authority of Kenya (then the Communication Commission of Kenya) team set up to investigate call charges and market dominance by local telcos, successfully resulting in amendment of the Kenya Communication Act and a massive reduction in mobile consumer phone charges.
Gaurav’s speaking engagements include appearing as both a speaker and panellist at the Africa Law Tech Summit in South Africa.
Matters on which Gaurav has advised during the course of his career include:
Tourism and hospitality
- i. Acting as general counsel to the largest Kenyan-owned chain of hotels, lodges and camps.
- ii. Negotiation and eventual creation of a functioning 50,000 acre conservancy, including the negotiation and drafting of the concession, lease and license agreements between the relevant stakeholders, as well as the preparation of wildlife matrices, cattle grazing agreements to make it one of the most community-friendly conservancies in Kenya.
- iii. Lead advisor for the direct investment by a tourism enterprise within the a community wildlife conservancy.
- iv. Preparation of hotel management agreements and tie-ups with international hotel groups in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
- v. Handling the due diligence and asset sale proposal for a five-star hotel in Nairobi to an international brand.
- vi. Negotiation of rights of access and long term lease including provisions for new wildlife management systems and benefits to visitors and tourism establishment owners within the Tsavo ecosystem.
- vii. Negotiations with and providing advice to the local and international investors and the KWS on the possible creation of Kenya’s second largest Black Rhino sanctuary.
- viii. Advice on CITES Regulations, eco-tourism polices and compliance with local wildlife management practices, including giving opinion on the new Mara Management Plan on a pro-bono basis to affected communities.
- ix. Assisting with hotel staff education and training on conflict resolution, negative brand reviews, brand and goodwill damage as well as indemnity and liability claims and settlement.
