Next Generation Partners

Dispute resolution in Bahrain

Al Tamimi & Company

Al Tamimi & Company’s dispute resolution team is renowned in Bahrain for the breadth of its litigation and arbitration expertise, covering a range of commercial, banking, medical, real estate and IP cases. Noor Al Rayes heads the team and has the right of attendance before Bahraini Courts up to the Cassation and Constitutional Courts, and is regularly sought out by local and international banks, financial institutions, insurance companies and construction companies. At the senior associate level, Hatem Elkatan and Fatema Sarhan are also highly regarded.

Practice head(s):

Noor Al Rayes


Other key lawyers:

Hatem Elkatan; Fatema Sarhan


Testimonials

‘A great team for all aspects of Bahraini litigation, particularly with a cross-border element.’

‘Noor Al Rayes is fantastic to work with and highly responsive. An excellent advocate.’

Fatema Sarhan is an excellent strategist and very knowledgeable about Bahraini court processes.

Key clients

Worley Parsons Services Pty Ltd


Tata Steel Netherlands BV


Bahrain District Cooling Company B.S.C


Ego Pharmaceuticals


Dole Asia Company


Baker Hughes


Work highlights


  • Representing a GCC branch of Worley Parsons Services in obtaining a precedent from the Court of Cassation confirming that a contract -when demonstrated as simulated- may not establish any rights or obligations upon its parties.
  • Acted for Tata Steel in establishing a ground-breaking precedent from the Court of Cassation declaring that judgments issued by the Courts of Singapore may be enforced in Bahrain in the same manner Bahrani judgments are enforced in Singapore based on reciprocity doctrine.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Highly regarded in Bahrain and the wider Middle East for its ability to handle complex and high-value, cross-border disputes, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP caters to a diverse range of governments, sovereign wealth funds, industry regulators, blue-chip companies and family-owned companies. Members of the team are specialised across a breadth of fields, with banking and finance, real estate, construction, TMT and employment among many key areas of expertise. Practice head Patrick Gearon splits his time between Bahrain and the UAE and is particularly noted for disputes related to IP, insolvency and professional negligence. Paula Boast leads the firm’s construction practice for the Middle East and is highly active in disputes in this space throughout the region. Mazin Al Mardhi, who was promoted to partner in May 2023 and relocated from Dubai to Bahrain, has solid experience in construction disputes conducted by the ICC, LCIA and DIAC.

Practice head(s):

Patrick Gearon; Paula Boast


Other key lawyers:

Mazin Al Mardhi


Testimonials

‘They are highly experienced in arbitration, litigation and dispute resolution. Hard-working partners and lawyers that never miss any details.’

‘Carry out their work in a timely and precise manner – fast, to the point and high quality/clear advices – very flexible and reliable.’

‘Experienced and knowledgeable. I deal mostly with Paula Boast and like to work with her always.’

Key clients

Arab Shipbuilding Repair Yard


Alaa Industrial Equipment Factory Co


Fadhel Al Najjar & Abdulshaheed Ali


Al Sahel Resort B.S.C


Arabian International Contractors


Bahrain Middle East Bank B.S.C.


Cebarco Bahrain W.L.L.


Central Bank of Bahrain


Diyar Al Muharraq W.L.L.


Energy Central Company


Gulf Air B.S.C. (c)


Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain)


Lowe Refrigeration LLC


NASS Contracting Co W.L.L.


NASS Industrial Services


National Contracting Company


The Estate of Behrooz Toorani


The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Bahrain


Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited


WS Atkins & Partners Overseas and WS Atkins International Limited (“Atkins”)


Youseff Nonoo


Work highlights


  • Appointed external administrator of Awal Bank by the Central Bank of Bahrain to advise on the $2bn insolvency.
  • Advising Gulf Air in relation to a complex worldwide $19m fraud committed by a network of seven separate defendants.
  • Instructed to defend $18.5m worth of claims made by estranged family members in a complex intra family and multi-jurisdictional dispute relating to the property of a deceased Bahraini high-net-worth individual who died in England.

Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants

With a strong track record in both high-stakes litigation and arbitration, the disputes offering at Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants is jointly led by the vastly experienced team of Qays Zu’bi, Hamid Al Mahmood, Mamoon El Tayeb and Mohamed Salama. Mahmood has consistently handled high-profile cases before all levels of the Bahraini Courts, including the BCDR and GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre. El Tayeb brings extensive experience of corporate and commercial matters, and Salama has a proven track record acting for local and international banks in civil and commercial courts.

Practice head(s):

Qays H. Zu’bi; Hamid Al Mahmood; Mamoon El Tayeb; Mohamed Salama


Testimonials

‘Solid litigation team with decades of experience and good knowledge of the judicial system.’

‘Wise, available, deeply experienced and ready to help.’

Work highlights


Newton Legal

Considered the go-to firm in Bahrain for bankruptcy and reorganisation claims, Newton Legal has increasingly been instructed by leading banks and real estate companies for representation in disputes related to large commercial properties. Founding partner and co-head Joseph Huse is considered an expert in construction-related disputes, while Aamal Al Abbasi, who jointly leads the group, regularly works with a number of major public and private institutions in Bahrain.

Practice head(s):

Aamal Al Abbasi; Joseph Huse


Work highlights


ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners

ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners is well known in Bahrain’s disputes market for its capacity to handle complex commercial litigation across a wide array of areas, with banking and finance, investment, employment, IP and tax considered key areas of expertise. Hisham Al Qura’an leads the litigation team and is supported by senior associate Amal Lari; both have accumulated extensive expertise acting for domestic and international clients in white-collar crime, maritime, employment and construction disputes.

Practice head(s):

Hisham Al Qura’an


Other key lawyers:

Amal Lari


Testimonials

‘ASAR’s Dispute Resolution practice in Bahrain distinguishes itself with its extensive local and international experience. The team is able to provide precise responses to any legal questions, and is very experienced in dealing with the Courts.

‘Amal Lari is an excellent litigator. She has been incredibly helpful during our trial in Bahrain. She is able to break down complex matters in simple terms, is able to proactively prevent issues from arising, and provides pragmatic solutions when problems do arise.’

‘The team is attentive to client needs and the litigation risks involved in the jurisdiction. The team further understands the commercial implications on international businesses. ’

‘Hisham Al-Quraan has a wide expertise in Bahraini law and is extremely reliable.’

Key clients

Nestle Bahrain Trading WLL


Bentley Motors Limited


Kuwait Food Company (Americana)


Wade Adams (Bahrain)


Pharmanovia|Atnahs Pharma UK Ltd


Reckitt Benckiser Plc


Hitachi Energy Switzerland Ltd


OCB Oilfield Services


Zurich International Life LTD.


McCain


Nexus People Management KSA


Barilla


Binance Bahrain BSC Closed


Danube


Four Season Hotel


Franks International Middle East (BVI) Limited


Ghazi Melhem


Inspired Education Group


KEO International Consultants


Outotec GmbH & Co.KG


Sika Gulf B.S.C


Ritrama SPA


Alshaya


DECIEM Distribution Inc


Twintic Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised a luxury vehicle manufacturer in litigation proceedings filed by a local agent seeking compensation for alleged wrongful termination.
  • Advised an international company on litigation proceedings to set aside the order involving them as a party against which execution can be taken in another case.
  • Advised an international company in litigation proceedings on the jurisdiction of Bahrain courts to appoint an arbitrator.

DLA Piper Middle East LLP

Specialising in complex and multi-jurisdictional claims, DLA Piper Middle East LLP has an impressive reputation for its expertise related to construction, engineering and infrastructure disputes. The team’s expertise also extends to surrounding jurisdictions, including Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon, a feature that is particularly beneficial as the firm continues to expand its offering in sanctions, white-collar crime and corporate investigatory work. Mohamed Toorani heads the Bahrain office and offers extensive experience in handling high-stakes corporate and finance matters. Dubai-based partner Andrew Mackenzie heads the firm’s disputes practice for the Middle East; his work focuses on commercial construction, energy and financial disputes.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed Toorani; Andrew Mackenzie


Testimonials

‘The team is well versed in working with local counsels around the world. They are flexible, easy to converse with and friendly.’

‘Mohamed Toorani is a reliable and easy-going but equally competent lawyer.’

Key clients

Venture Capital Bank


MoneyCorp


Bahrain Islamic Bank


Kuwait Finance House


GFH Financial Group


Gulf International Bank


Kuwait Investment Authority


Mashreq Bank


Al Salam Bank


Sabre Corporation


Work highlights


Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s team in Bahrain has solid experience in managing disputes in various forums in the MENA region, including the Bahrain Centre for Dispute Resolution, the DIFC courts and the GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre, and under a multitude of arbitral rules including LCIA, ICC, DIAC and UNCITRAL. The offering is led from Dubai by Cheryl Cairns and Matthew Showler, while Deborah Howard is a key contact in Bahrain. The practice is particularly well regarded for its expertise in disputes pertaining to construction, real estate, banking, fraud and insolvency.

Practice head(s):

Cheryl Cairns; Matthew Showler


Other key lawyers:

Deborah Howard


Key clients

Sayacorp B.S.C. (c ) (Formerly First Energy Bank B.S.C.(c))


Central Bank of Bahrain


Yousif Alkooheji & Bros.


The International Banking Corporation B.S.C.(c) (in liquidation)