The Legal 500

Algeria > Legal market overview

Algeria remains a difficult market for Western companies and law firms to penetrate due to restrictions on foreign investment. Specifically, the 51%-49% rule stipulates that any foreign-invested company must be majority owned by an Algerian company, and the government has first refusal on the sale or transfer of any foreign company. Nevertheless, Algeria’s huge oil and gas reserves make the energy industry a major focus for international investors.

Foreign law firms have seen declining deal flow as a result of these impositions, although large energy sector deals remain a source of activity. Energy companies Sonatrach and Sonelgaz are the powerhouses of the Algerian economy, and many prominent local lawyers have in-house experience with these companies.

Algerian, US, French, Tunisian and UK law firms are present in the market, but only lawyers that are members of one of Algeria’s 11 Bar associations can practise as advocates and operate full-service firms.

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