Portrait featuring Antoine Domingue, Senior Counsel

As barristers — both young and less young — there’s always something to learn from those who came before us.

Our seniors carry with them stories, wisdom, and lived experience that no textbook could ever teach.

I’ve admired this week’s guest from afar for many years. After a fair bit of gentle pestering (mostly directed at his junior!), he graciously accepted my invitation to join the podcast and share his journey.

I’m deeply grateful to Antoine Domingue SC for such a rich and generous exchange. 

In this conversation, we cover:

💡 The mentors who shaped his thinking
 💡 Judicial activism — its role and its limits
 💡 His thoughts on the proposed new Court of Appeal
 💡 Third-generation fundamental rights
 💡 Public interest litigation in Mauritius
 💡 Why the independence of the Bar remains the cornerstone of our profession
 💡The business of law 

This is one for the archives.


00:00 - Intro
01:22 - Choosing law
04:10 - Being of service
05:56 - What has changed in the practice of law
07:28 - Areas of preference
08:17 - Most memorable case
11:15 - Judicial reform in Mauritius
14:39 - Foreign judges sitting in Mauritius
17:45 - Third generation fundamental rights
18:56 - Public interest litigation
22:32 - How to interpret our Constitution
24:17 - Barristers’ ethics
27:08 - The business of law
30:31 - Practising without fear or favour
32:44 - Preserving independence from the client
35:56 - Advice for young barristers
38:15 - Antoine’s mentors
40:04 - Nostalgia of old times
42:02 - Any regrets?