The Legal 500

Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm in co-operation with Clifford Chance LLP is ‘a highly credible offering in the Saudi market’, and its involvement in a project ‘ensures that the deal is executed commercially and efficiently’. The group advised the financiers on the phase two financing of a $10.8bn integrated aluminium complex, sponsored by Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and Alcoa Inc. Mohammed Al-Jadaan and counsel Paul Latto are highly recommended.

Legal Advisors in association with Baker & McKenzie handles conventional and Islamic project finance deals, and shows ‘good regional and industry knowledge, especially in banking and Saudi projects’. It advised Ma’aden on the $7.5bn multi-tranche integrated project financings of an aluminium smelter and rolling mill. Ian Siddell and Julie Alexander are ‘industrious, careful and knowledgeable’.

Abdulaziz AlGasim Law Firm in association with Allen & Overy LLP advised Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Company on the $14.2bn Jubail refinery and petrochemical project – a financing that involved 19 different facilities with seven export credit agencies and two different Islamic facilities. Riyadh-based Julian Johansen is recommended.

Law Office of Hassan Mahassni ‘operates at an international level of service’, with ‘extremely dedicated’ team head Basel Barakat singled out for ‘going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure delivery of a first-class legal service’. It advised a syndicate of lenders – including The National Commercial Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, Standard Chartered and HSBC – on the $2bn project financing of the Qurrayah IPP.

Law Office of Mohammed A. Al-Sheikh in association with Latham & Watkins LLP advised the concessionaire, Saudi Global Ports Company, on its SAR2bn agreement with the Saudi Ports Authority to build and operate the second container terminal at King Abdulaziz Port. Mohammed Al-Sheikh’s ‘client-oriented team’ is ‘as good as you would get in any major financial centre – they are always available’.

Dr. Waleed N. Al-Nuwaiser in association with White & Case LLP works alongside offices in London, New York and the Middle East to advise corporate entities and government bodies on the country’s largest project finance deals. Energy and infrastructure are both strong areas, and in 2011 it advised Saudi Aramco on the Sadara petrochemicals project.

Feras Al Shawaf Law Firm in Association with Trowers & Hamlins has an excellent track record in project finance, with experience spanning power, oil and gas, and infrastructure projects. Paul Fitzgerald is a key contact.

Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co. is advising RAWEC on its bid to provide the utilities for the $10bn phase two expansion of Petro-Rabigh petrochemicals complex. Group head Ali Abedi is an ‘efficient, knowledgeable and commercial lawyer’.

King & Spalding in affiliation with the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar has earned several PPP instructions. These include advising Jabal Omar Development Company on a $5.5bn mixed-use development, its first PPP in the Holy City of Makkah. Tasheel Modern Support Services and Bawabat Makkah Company are also clients.

The Law Office of Looaye M. Al-Akkas in Association with Vinson & Elkins is advising King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy on establishing a legal and regulatory framework for a renewable and civil atomic energy sector in Saudi Arabia.

Law Office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed in association with Baker Botts L.L.P. is recommended for its ‘strong local knowledge and commercial nous’. The firm’s Dubai office is advising Saudi Electricity Company on its IPP programme in Saudi Arabia.

Law Offices of Dr Mujahid M. Al-Sawwaf ‘always exceeds expectations’ and fields ‘lawyers with unrivalled local knowledge and connections’. The firm has strong mining sector experience but also handles oil and gas instructions.

Khalid A Al-Thebity Law Firm in affiliation with Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP has a strong record in oil and gas and in construction aspects of projects. Khalid A Al-Thebity is the managing partner.

The Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan in association with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP was instructed by Saudi Binladin Group and Deutsche Bahn to advise on the consortium agreement for the Saudi Arabian Haramain high-speed railway project. Tobias Müller-Deku is highly recommended.