Qatar > Legal market overview
One of the smallest and richest countries in the Arab world, Qatar continues to grow richer and its forward-thinking government is maintaining investment in major infrastructure projects as well as driving to make the country a major international investment hub. It is already very significant because of its status as the world’s leading producer of liquid natural gas and also in view of work being lined up to prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The legal market saw several shake-ups among international law firms as they vied for position on major deals such as Qatar Navigation’s $9bn acquisition of Qatar Shipping – the largest ever union of Qatari public companies and the first merger to take place under the new takeover regime.
Several leading international law firms are consolidating their positions in the market, although the influence of some others is waning and there are also new entrants. Allen & Overy LLP’s decision to open an office in Doha is paying dividends and the firm added a third partner on the ground when it recruited the highly regarded Samer Eido, formerly Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP’s Middle East financial markets head. In May 2011, Eversheds LLP completed a merger with law group KSLG (in association with Dhabaan & Partners), bringing into the fold four new offices to complement the firm’s existing Middle East presence, which now spans five countries. McGrigors LLP - QFC Branch opened its doors in Doha in March 2011.