Charles Russell Speechlys LLP has a well-established litigation practice with core strengths in cross-border matters concerning banking and finance, real estate and construction, aviation and telecommunications. Patrick Gearon is the overall head of the dispute resolution practice in the Middle East. He works with Paula Boast, who heads up the construction group and is active in related disputes. Other names to note at the firm are Thanos Karvelis, who has over 20 years of litigation and arbitration experience, and Gareth Mills. The team has seen an increase in instructions from the aviation sector, including from leading clients such as Etihad Airways.
Dispute resolution in Bahrain
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Practice head(s):
Patrick Gearon; Paula Boast
Other key lawyers:
Thanos Karvelis; Simone Sancandi; Gareth Mills; Thomas Catto; Georgina Munnik
Testimonials
‘The CRS dispute resolution is the go-to practice in Bahrain. They are extremely well versed on Bahraini legal matters and have unrivalled experience in the market. There is no other firm to go to in Bahrain.’
‘Gareth Mills is a stand out lawyer in Bahrain. Intelligent, quick and a focused problem solver. He is very good with his clients – personable, engaging and interesting. He has been very collaborative on matters we have worked together on.’
‘Personal contact is by far the most unique practice that we appreciate from CRS. Advice is often given FOC and there is no 9 to 5 approach, which often suits the local Bahraini clients. Value the trust and openness.’
‘Patrick Gearon. Always available, very quick and very knowledgeable. Nothing is too much trouble.’
‘Proactive and very commercial in their approach. Partner led interaction and partners always available to deal with matters.’
Key clients
Central Bank of Bahrain
Gulf Air B.S.C. (c)
The Estate of Behrooz Toorani
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Bahrain
Alaa Industrial Equipment Factory Co
WS Atkins & Partners Overseas and WS Atkins International Limited (“Atkins”)
Energy Central Company (“Energy Central”)
Arabian International Contractors
Diyar Al Muharraq WLL
Etihad Airways
Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited
Al Najjar
Cebarco Bahrain W.L.L.
NASS Contracting Co W.L.L.
NASS Industrial Services
NASS Scafform
A.A. NASS
NASS Dredging
Work highlights
- Appointed by the CBB as External Administrator of Awal Bank B.S.C. (in administration) in 2009 and, in this capacity, advise on the region’s largest administration involving multibillion dollar claims and assets across a number of jurisdictions (including Bahrain, UK, Switzerland, USA, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Cayman Islands).
- Acted for investment bank client Bahrain Middle East Bank B.S.C. in a highly complex arbitration case against another investment bank known as Venture Capital Bank B.S.C. (C).
- Advising a Chinese/Saudi/Bahraini consortium in relation to the design, construction and operation of an IWPP independent water and power plant in the Kingdom of Bahrain including ongoing contract administration, construction phase advisory and claims/ dispute services.
Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants
Zu’bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants' team provides the full spectrum of advice on litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. Its work spans areas such as banking, real estate and construction, and general commercial matters. Qays Zu’bi is a key contact, as is Eman Omar, who is described as ‘very meticulous’. Mamoon El Tayeb has over two decades of litigation experience.
Practice head(s):
Qays H. Zu’bi
Other key lawyers:
Mamoon El Tayeb; Eman Omar
Testimonials
‘What makes this practice unique in dispute resolution is their outstanding knowledge of how the oucrts operate in Bahrain. They are able to anticipate what a judge’s reasonings will be before a judgment is issued. The dispute resolution team is well respected amongst the courts and other lawyers, and we have seen this especially in the case of out of court settlements.’
‘Zu’bi has a good combination of local knowledge and international legal experience. It’s a very professional firm.’
‘Qays Zu’bi – very professional and knowledgeable. Eman Omar – very meticulous. Mamoon Tayeb is very experienced in local litigation.’
Haya Rashed Al Khalifa Attorneys at Law & Legal Consultants
The dispute resolution group at Haya Rashed Al Khalifa Attorneys at Law & Legal Consultants handles high-value commercial litigation and arbitrations for domestic and international clients. Its workload covers contentious matters involving construction, banking and finance and IP issues. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa is recommended for international arbitration and white-collar crime cases. Rashid Bo-Ghammar left the firm in 2021.
Practice head(s):
Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa
Testimonials
‘Leading Bahraini law firm for domestic banking disputes.’
‘They keep clients up to date and manage expectations well.’
‘Sheikha Haya Al Khalifa is not only a leading individual in her field (and has been for many years) but she is also approachable, commercial and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Knowledgeable, professional, friendly, available, high moral and integrity.’
Key clients
Awal Bank
Newton Legal
Newton Legal
's dispute resolution practice is highlighted for its strengths in matters connected with the banking, renewable energy and real estate sectors. Managing partner Aamal Al Abbasi is the name to note for government work. Founding partner Joseph Huse remains the key practitioner for energy and infrastructure projects, particularly oil and gas matters. Ahmed Alfardan handles large arbitrations for multinational companies.
Practice head(s):
Jospeh Huse; Aamal Al Abbasi
Other key lawyers:
Ahmed Alfardan
Key clients
Gulf Alimumim Rolling Mill (Garmco)
Government of Bahrain
Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco)
Abdulla Al Wardi Holding Company
Eskan Bank
Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB)
National Oil and Gas Authority
Hadef & Partners
Kalaam Telecom Bahrain
Pom’Alliance
Work highlights
- Represented Garmco in one of the first cases under the Reorganization and Bankruptcy Law, which included a successful challenge before the Court of Cassation.
- Representing two creditors, the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and Bahrain Islamic Bank (BiSB) in one of the largest reorganization claims filed in Bahrain, with over 3,000 creditors, in relation to the reorganization of Hassan Mohamed Jawad & Sons.
- Advised a medical provider on a high-value dispute relating to breach in delivering medical supplies following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zeenat Al Mansoori & Associates
Zeenat Al Mansoori & Associates' team, which is active in litigation and arbitration, often acts for clients in matters with a cross-border component. Its client roster includes banks, insurance companies, contractors, and public and private companies. Managing partner and practice head Zeenat Al Mansoori specialises in commercial insurance policy disputes, fraud-related matters and white-collar crime cases. Litigator Amel Al Aseeri appears at all court levels in Bahrain. The team receives a steady stream of referral work from international law firms.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘This team is a strong team with different specialties. The profiles are truly international and their legal advice and judicial strategy is clever and appropriate.’
Key clients
Ghassan Ahmed Al Sulaiman Furniture Trading Company S.P.C.
CrediMax BSC
Tatweer Petroleum- Bahrain Field Development Company W.L.L.
Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait B.S.C.
CPIC Abahsain Fiberglass W.L.L
BWTC Real Estate Company W.L.L.
Bahrain Atomisers International BSC
International Investment Bank B.S.C (c)
YBA Kanoo Group
Work highlights
- Represented a very high profile and important developer of a development project valued at approximately $1.5bn.
- Successfully represented a bank in a dispute against a borrower and guarantors.
- Representing a leading bank in proceedings relating to complex investment agreements with another bank for total of approximately $23.7m.