The Legal 500

The ‘reliable and effective’ Al-Kilani & Gheblawi Law Firm prides itself on being a one-stop-shop for international clients looking to doing business in Libya. Typical work has included the interpretation and analysis of oil concessions, advising in oil and gas sales and transportation contracts, and negotiating joint venture agreements between Libyans and foreigners in a variety of sectors. The firm also assists with tax legislation, immigration regulations, customs laws and labour laws, as well as maritime law, dispute resolution and arbitration, including representation of clients before local and international arbitral tribunals and all local courts. Mohamed Ibrahim Al-Kilani is a ‘talented and widely respected’ oil and gas expert and Abdalla Gheblawi is recommended for transactional matters.

MTL Law Office is well known for its litigation appearances before Libyan courts, as well as local and international commercial arbitration venues. The firm is also recommended for its experience in banking law, commercial matters, trade marks, transport issues, contracts, insurance, petroleum and foreign investment law. Representative experience has included the establishment and registration of branches in Libya for foreign companies, foreign investment projects and joint ventures. The client base includes banks, national and multinational companies, foreign contractors and investors, as well as Libyan and foreign individuals. Salah Marghani is noted for commercial matters and Fituri Tabet is a corporate law specialist with extensive knowledge of international business from a Libyan perspective. ‘Good to have on your side’, Khaled Ellafi is ‘an impressive and experienced litigator’.

As well as continuing to advise some of the biggest names in the Libyan and international oil and gas sector, Mukhtar-Kelbash and Elgharabli Attorneys has developed its client base to include major international contractors, telecommunications firms, investment banks and private equity funds, and defence companies. The firm has also developed strong working relationships with international law firms based in the Middle East, the US, the UK and Europe. Mahmud Mukhtar has substantial experience in advising international oil companies in the upstream and downstream sectors, oil services companies, international banks and finance institutions and foreign investors. Mukhtar’s practice focuses predominantly on advising on the Libyan Petroleum Law and Exploration and Production Sharing Agreements (EPSA), the Libyan foreign capital investment laws, as well as acting as counsel in litigation and arbitration before Libyan courts and international arbitral venues. Abdudayem Elgharabli’s experience includes representing major international oil companies operating in Libya in tax appeals relating to the levying of stamp duty. Elgharabli also represented Sirte Oil Company in litigation against an international construction and engineering company, successfully obtaining a judgment of $120m in damages and acted for an airline operator in successfully nullifying the Use of Airports Fees Schedule in an action brought before the Administrative Courts. Bahloul Kelbash leads the litigation practice, focusing on representing foreign companies in civil, commercial and labour disputes before all courts.

Full-service law firm Tumi Law Firm handles corporate and commercial matters, construction, banking and finance, aviation and maritime affairs, litigation, oil and gas deals, securities, IP, employment law and arbitration. The practice advised international banks such as Citibank and Barclays Bank, and recently assisted a major international telecommunications company in its bid for a fixed and mobile convergent licence. Other highlights included acting for construction companies in their turn-key contracts with numerous Libyan project owners, and assisting in the incorporation and registering of joint ventures, joint stocks, branches and representative offices of foreign companies such as Gaz Du France and HP. In finance, the practice assisted Hasho Group on a €154m facility related to a hotel’s construction, advised in a $181m mortgages agreement, and represented Barclays Bank on a £135m facility agreement. In M&A, the team acted in the merger between an international investment company and a Libyan brokerage company registered on the stock market. Also of interest, the practice assisted a major oil company in the acquisition of certain interests in an exploration and production sharing agreement. ‘Admirable’ managing partner Mohamed Tumi is recommended for his ‘smooth but effective approach’. Mazen Tumi is also a key contact. The firm enjoys an association with newly merged international law firm SNR Denton and is in the process of registering new branch offices in Libya.

Abdul Aziz & Khalifa Attorneys at Law is a niche law firm recognised by market experts for its strength in oil and gas matters, finance transactions and inbound investment. Principal contact Mohamed Ali Khalifa is noted for construction litigation.

Known for its longstanding experience in maritime matters and finance transactions, El-Atrash Law Firm fields offices both from Tripoli and Benghazi.

Full-service law firm Legwell, Ali & Partners houses offices both in Tripoli and Washington DC. The practice stands out for its advice to numerous US and English law firms in both transactional and litigation matters. In particular, the practice fields a team that specialises in government procurement matters and anti-corruption laws. Typical experience includes counseling clients on compliance issues, as well as the establishment of policy guidelines, and in responding to investigation requests both in the US and in the region. The ‘widely experienced and dedicated’ Ibrahim Legwell’s practice includes commercial and company law, banking law, oil and gas matters, shari’ah law, and criminal issues. The firm has also undertaken the defence of significant important civil cases and international disputes involving Libya.

Maghur And Partners Attorneys at Law is a full-service law firm frequently instructed by international clients on business, company and contracts law. The firm is also experienced in criminal procedure law, as well as defamation, the protection of IP rights, employment law matters and publishing law. The ‘efficient and accurate practitioner’ Azza Kamel Maghur is the principal contact.

Majeri Law Office’s portfolio of legal services range from commercial, civil and labour law, to banking and customs law, as well as taxation, contract negotiations, debt collection and litigation. Representative experience includes registering foreign companies branches in Libya, The firm also cooperates with international law firms in Greece, Egypt and Italy. Office manager Sghair Majeri is an ex-public prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice and Mohamed Tumi is recommended for criminal, civil, commercial and labour litigation.

Rajab B Bakhnug is a civil and commercial law firm especially noted for its energy law expertise, both of a transactional and contentious nature. Name partner Rajab Bakhnug is the key contact.

Zahaf and Partners’ scope of legal service includes dispute resolution, construction law and public works contracts, privatisation issues, corporate law and IP. ExxonMobil, Challenger and Alitalia are clients. Name partner Saleh Zahaf is recommended.