Foreign firms in Algeria

King & Spalding LLP

The Paris-based practice at King & Spalding LLP is a market leader for project work in Algeria and North Africa more broadly, with a transactional offering that focuses primarily on energy and oil and gas matters, as well as complex corporate restructurings and acquisitions. Practice head Mehdi Haroun is licensed to appear before courts in Algeria and splits his focus between transactional and contentious work, with the energy and infrastructure sectors being key areas of strength. Counsel Nora Djeraba has a continuously growing transactional practice, and is especially strong in upstream oil and gas acquisitions, divestitures and developments.

Practice head(s):

Mehdi Haroun


Other key lawyers:

Nora Djeraba


Testimonials

‘This practice’s excellent track record is already proven. They are fully dedicated; their teams are construed in a manner to cover all the needs of a specific case and their work is fully integrated. They are a machine.’

‘The team is from diverse horizons, they are totally dedicated to your case.’

‘Mehdi Haroun: He was, from a formal standpoint, outstanding, notwithstanding the fact that he was particularly competent and vigilant from an academic and operational point of view.’

‘Mehdi Haroun is an exceptional lawyer with an exceptional knowledge of the French and Algerian laws and principles paired with an outstanding strategic management of arbitrations. His experience in construction issues in challenging areas of the world makes him one of the best lawyers in his field.’

Key clients

Baker Hughes GE


Bloom/EIIC


GE Power


Work highlights


  • Advising the EIIC group on an ICSID dispute against the Algerian state in relation to the development of a mega leisure park in Algiers.
  • Acted for GE Power in a dispute over a $234m power plant project.

Ashurst

Ashurst LLP offers a deep bench of French and English law qualified practitioners who are familiar with Algeria’s legal and regulatory landscape. The practice, primarily based out of Paris and London, brings particular expertise in the areas of project finance, M&A, finance, international arbitration and project development in the oil and gas and mining sectors. M&A and project development specialist Yann Alix leads the team, with expertise spanning the full project life cycle, from advising on investment protection and corporate structuring to joint venture arrangements, and operational and ESG matters. Emmanuelle Cabrol is vastly experienced in representing multinational companies in complex disputes in Africa, while senior associate Claudia Cicone brings extensive knowledge of public procurement, transportation and renewable energy projects.

Practice head(s):

Yann Alix


Other key lawyers:

Emmanuelle Cabrone; Claudia Cicone


Key clients

PATL


Work highlights


  • Advising PATL in a dispute against Sonatrach, Algeria’s state-owned energy company.

Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes

Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes‘ team is 'made up of lawyers from diverse backgrounds’, with each member consistently demonstrating ‘a mastery of his or her cases, and a broad knowledge of various aspects of the law and judicial or arbitral jurisprudence'. The firm is exclusively focused on the management of international disputes, with an enviable track record spanning key economic areas including energy, natural resources, construction and infrastructure. Yas Banifatemi leads the practice from Paris and has experience representing the Algerian Republic in numerous investment and commercial arbitrations. Coralie Darrigade, Maude Lebois and Benjamin Siino are also key practitioners, as is Thomas Parigot, who was promoted to partner in January 2023.

Practice head(s):

Yas Banifatemi


Other key lawyers:

Benjamin Siino; Coralie Darrigade; Maude Lebois; Thomas Parigot


Testimonials

‘The GBS team is foremost made up of lawyers from diverse backgrounds, and this is already one of its strengths. Then, the trust that reigns between the members of the team is very reassuring for the client.’

‘The lawyers are highly competent and serious, and handle the cases entrusted to them with great professionalism.’

‘Each of the lawyers with whom our firm has dealt has demonstrated a mastery of his or her cases, and a broad knowledge of various aspects of the law and judicial or arbitral jurisprudence.’

‘In-depth, detailed analysis of the issues submitted to them within very tight deadlines. Other main qualities: affability, sympathy, intellectual honesty, commitment to clients. I am thinking in particular of Yas Banifatemi, Maude Lebois, Benjamin Siino, Coralie Darrigade and Theresa Vega.

Key clients

People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria


Sonatrach


Work highlights


  • Representing the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in UNCITRAL proceedings in relation to two cement production projects in Algeria.
  • Representing an international joint venture in an ICC arbitration related to an EPC contract for the construction of an industrial plant in Algeria.

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP has established a strong reputation among both domestic and foreign companies doing business in Algeria, utilising the firm’s extensive international network to advise on complex cross-border transactions. Mukund Dhar is a leading figure in London, while in Paris, Christophe von Krause is a leading international arbitration practitioner and is particularly active in disputes arising in the construction, oil and gas, hotels and leisure, and pharmaceuticals sectors.

Practice head(s):

Mukund Dhar; Christophe von Krause


Testimonials

‘For us, what makes them unique is that they have Algerian lawyers on their team and that makes a huge difference when it comes to the Algerian legal system.’

‘Christophe von Krause is an exceptional lawyer and partner. It is so easy to communicate with him. He has a solid grasp of what is happening in Algeria concerning our company’s business at any time, and he facilitates the processes that you may have blocked by local authorities. ’

Key clients

ADES Group


Occidental Petroleum Corp (Oxy)


Work highlights


  • Acted for ADES Group in connection with the $1.6bn hybrid (conventional and Islamic) financing granted to ADES Arabia Holding JSC and ADES Saudi Limited Company for the refinancing of existing debt and financing recent major acquisitions.
  • Representing Oxy in the negotiation of an oil and gas concession renewal with Sonatrach relating to a major hydrocarbon asset in Algeria.

Linklaters LLP

With practitioners based in Paris and London, Linklaters continues to act on significant transactions in Algeria and offers abundant strength across a multitude of key practice areas, including corporate, finance and dispute resolution. The firm is increasingly active in a number of key economic sectors, including mining, renewable energy, fintech and digital infrastructure. Practice head Bertrand Andriani has over three decades of experience handling major project financings, insolvencies and corporate restructurings. Counsel Aymeric Voisin is also a name to note; he specialises in complex projects in the mining, infrastructure, industrial and agribusiness sectors.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Jones; Bertrand Andriani


Other key lawyers:

Aymeric Voisin


Key clients

BHP Billiton International Services


Work highlights


  • Advising BHP (formerly BHP Billiton) on the sale of its upstream Algerian oil and gas assets located in the Ghadones Basin (Rhourde El Louh and Sif Fatima) to ENI for c. $210m.