Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy ‘have strong capabilities in a variety of areas and have a wide network of relationships outside of the firm’, says a client about the arbitration practice. The firm’s large team is able to negotiate in English, French and Arabic and represents a number of blue-chip clients from sectors such as telecoms, energy, pharmaceuticals, and construction. John Matouk and Amr Abbas jointly head the team, with the former having advised clients before local courts and major arbitral institutions. Amr Abbas is described by a client as having ‘impressive advocacy skills’.
Dispute resolution: arbitration in Egypt
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy
Practice head(s):
John Matouk; Amr Abbas
Testimonials
‘Great law firm, very responsive partners and associates; many lawyers fluent in English if not bilingual, which makes it easy to communicate with them.’
‘All very knowledgeable, smart, and responsive. They know the law, their advice can really be relied on.’
‘MBH have strong capabilities in a variety of areas and have a wide network of relationships outside the firm. They are able to draw on a range of different expertise within the firm as needed and are proactive in developing solutions as problems arise.’
‘The partners and associates are extremely capable and hardworking, providing comprehensive local advice and resolving issues when needed. Ahmed Abdel Hakeem led our complex negotiation and achieved a satisfactory result on our behalf.’
‘We were highly impressed with the team members’ high qualifications, exceptional professionalism, excellent dedication, and ethics. Regarding the diversity, the team members who handled our dispute were very diverse, and they comprised two females out of five lawyers. They are also flexible in billing and considered our financial situation and preferences. I can say they are excellent and superstars in what they are doing. They have the expertise, knowledge, skills, and capabilities to defend their clients’ interests. I do vote for them for any complicated and massive dispute.’
‘MB team was formed of several impressive individuals. They are dedicated and worked with us very long hours, and they were always very organized and focused on details and on how to preserve our interest throughout the dispute. They always gave practical advices during several complicated situations that happened.’
‘Dr. Amr Abbas managed the dispute strategically and always gave us practical advice. I attended the hearing and witnessed Dr. Amr Abbas’s impressive advocacy skills before the tribunal. His abilities in presenting our claims and in questioning the witnesses and experts, and defending the opponent’s statements were exceptional and remarkable. He is knowledgeable and has impressive analytical skills and can expect the opponent’s moves and prepare us for that. Dr. Amr Abbas is honest and straightforward with his clients. He understands our business and is very responsive and available when urgent and prompt advice is needed. ‘
Key clients
Union Fenosa GAS (“UFG”)
International Holding Project Group and Other Kuwaiti Investors
Inertia Egypt
Spanish Egyptian Gas Company (“SEGAS”)
Chengdu Design & Research Institute of Building Materials Industry Co. Ltd.
Nogoom Football Club (“NFC”)
The Producers
Work highlights
- Successfully secured a favorable CRCICA arbitral award for CDI, a global market leader in cement engineering, procurement, and construction. The dispute arose from an EPC Contract for Clinker Grinding and Packaging Department for a cement plant owned by a well-known cement manufacturer in Egypt.
- Assisted UFG, a prominent Spanish Gas Company, in the ICSID annulment proceedings that the Arab Republic of Egypt initiated against the ICSID Award rendered in favor of UFG on 31 August 2018 as well as in the underlying disputes.
- Successfully secured a favorable award for NFC at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”) in Lausanne, Switzerland. The arbitration was a consolidation between two cases filed by NFC against ISMAILI Sports Club and the Egyptian Football Association in a contractual sell-on fees dispute.
Shahid Law Firm
Shahid Law Firm’s arbitration practice handles a range of corporate and commercial disputes including routine matters and complex multinational cases. The firm is also well-equipped to enforce foreign judgements and arbitral awards and assists clients along the whole process of arbitration. Tarek Badawy , a ‘high integrity, extremely impressive dual-qualified dispute resolution lawyer’, constitutes one half of the practice lead with a broad international focus. Girgis Abd El-Shahid is also lead partner and is specialised in energy and investor-state disputes. He is also known for his expertise in complex multiparty arbitrations and is described by a client as ‘an outstanding advocate and excellent strategist.’
Practice head(s):
Girgis Abd El-Shahid; Tarek Badawy
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘My primary interaction has been with Tarek Badawy, working alongside he and his supporting team in relation to a major international arbitration. The Shahid Law Firm has a very strong track record in successfully bringing and recovering damages in large, complex, international cases and brings a very thorough and sophisticated approach to dispute resolution. The Team is also very pragmatic and flexible, and comfortable with risk sharing.’
‘Tarek Badawy (Partner). Tarek is a high integrity, extremely impressive, dual-qualified dispute resolution lawyer who is also very easy to get along with, and creative.’
‘We have been especially impressed with Tarek Badawy who is excellent in all respects.’
‘The legal team at Shahid Law Firm have never failed to disappoint us, they are a hardworking and tactically astute team whose heavy focus is always on client care, ensuring that advice and support is always available. Our company can’t recommend them enough, to any potential client looking to join, please do not hesitate to do so!’
‘There is no other Egyptian law firm with the demonstrated track record of success that Shahid Law Firm has, including in particular in investment treaty arbitrations. They can and do handle all sizes and types of arbitrations throughout North Africa and the Middle East.’
‘Girgis Ab El-SHahid is a leader in every sense of the word. An outstanding advocate and excellent strategist.’
Key clients
Arab Company for Touristic Project ( owner of Cairo Sheraton Hotel )
CTIP Oil & Gas
Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction
Tantalum International Ltd
Amre Reda Ginena and Houssam Reda Ginena
PTT Energy Resources Company Limited (“PTTER”)
Confederation of African Football (“CAF”)
Gesenu S. p.A
Work highlights
- Successfully defended the CAF against Lagardère Sports (“Lagardère”) in ICC Emergency Arbitration proceedings initiated by Lagardère in connection with the termination of a 28-year USD 1 Billion contract for the commercial exploitation of CAF Competitions; the dispute on the merits remains ongoing.
- Representing CTIP Oil & Gas UAE in a case in which the client and National Gas S.A.E., CTIP’s Egyptian subsidiary and Egypt’s petroleum regulatory authority, commonly referred to as the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) entered into an agreement for the Transmission of Natural Gas to Residential, Commercial and Industrial Areas and Power Stations in the Governorate of Sharkeya.
- Represented Doosan Heavy Industries and Constructions in a case where it is believed that, for the first time, an Egyptian court has recognized and enforced an interim measures order issued by a foreign arbitral tribunal–in an ICC dispute between a South Korean industrial group and the developer of Damietta port in northern Egypt that ended in a more than USD72 million award.
Shalakany Law Office
Shalakany Law Office possesses particular strengths in design and start-up related disputes within the area of arbitration. Besides that, the firm handles the full range of arbitration disputes including investor-state and shareholder disputes, and is frequently instructed by multinational clients. The trio that lead the team consists of Khaled El Shalakany, Adam El Shalakany, and Muhammad Ussama, all of whom have extensive experience in this area of practice. Adam El Shalakany is often sought out for his expertise in high-value, complex and multi-jurisdictional disputes in the MENA region.
Practice head(s):
Khaled El Shalakany; Adam El Shalakany; Muhammad Ussama
Testimonials
‘All Disputes team members I dealt with so far are highly qualified with great experience, the key point i liked was being organized – this makes big difference and saves a lot of time and cost.’
‘Team leader, Taher Al Benany, is having vast experience in Disputes (processes, mediation, etc..), not only in Egypt, this is a great point saves also a lot of time and cost. Other team members are also professionals with very good experience.’
‘All staff are excellent and supportive with delivering work in the time frame of business.’
‘The legal department in house lawyers and the team in Shalakany works together and communicate like one team with the same goals.’
‘Khaled Shalakany and his team are the extremely rare construction specialist lawyers who have in depth knowledge of the construction industry as well as the surrounding laws and the prevailing practice in Egypt. I believe they are the only law firm in Egypt to have this skill set.’
‘Khaled Shalakany is a very strong lawyer as well as a construction specialist and it is a pleasure to work with him since he is extremely knowledgeable both in terms of the industry knowledge and the legalities, particularly arbitration matters and disputes.’
‘Mohammed Ussama is a pleasure to work with and he is very thorough in his knowledge of arbitration proceedings and is an extremely strong lawyer.’
‘Adam Shalakany is a strong lawyer who brings good energy and knowledge on a file.’
Key clients
Emaar Misr For Development SAE
Majid Al Futtaim
Tetra Park
Protection (PSC)
Equinox Petroleum Services
Youssef & Partners Attorneys
Youssef & Partners Attorneys has a busy arbitration practice with a strong local and international client roster. Clients attribute to the team the ‘utmost attention and dedication’ as well as a ‘deep knowledge of local arbitration procedures and practices.’ Karim A. Youssef heads the practice with particular expertise in commercial claims, government contract and state entity arbitration as well as investment treaty arbitration. Kamel Elshandidy is recommended for his industry-specific knowledge of the energy sector.
Practice head(s):
Karim A. Youssef
Other key lawyers:
Kamel Elshandidy; César Ternieden
Testimonials
‘Starting with Karim A. Youssef and his team, they have all been involved heavily in my case and have given their utmost attention and dedication.’
‘Karim A. Youssef has been a friend outside the firm and has given me the level of comfort and attention that any friend/client would seek.’
‘People in the firm analyse cases properly and well before entering the case, measure probability of Success, tackle any obstacle in an easy way and solve complications by all ways and means to get all lawyers handling the case whether with in the firm or outside it to have a harmonized understanding of the case to fight it jointly with common and mutual understanding. Up-to-date technology , affordable bill , and have full collaboration with there clients , posting the client in every details taking his opinions and telling their point of view to reach a common understanding of the case. I think Youssef & Partners is an excellent law firm which has a bright future.’
‘I think Karim as a partner is very knowledgeable and takes the case seriously like it is his own personal case and he has all the tools and means to achieve that .’
‘Deep knowledge of local arbitration procedures and practices; very responsive; deliver strategic advice; very friendly and easy to collaborate with.’
‘Karim Youssef is very responsive, delivers sharp and tailored strategic advice’.
Key clients
Cementos La Union SA (and Aridos Jativa) (CLU)
Al-Kholoud for Touristic and Real Estate Development S.A.E.
DIPCO (Damietta International Ports Company)
CTIP Oil & Gas Ltd (CTIP)
British Columbia Canadian International School (BCCIS)
VEOLIA Proprete’ Group
Egypt Kuwait Holding Company (EKH)
INCOME – International Company for Petroleum & Industrial Services
KGL Supply Management Group
Adenium Energy Capital
El-Alfy Family
Triangle Group and GAMA Construction S.A.E.
Orascom Construction (OC) Group
Dulam EFZ
Industrial Development Group
Work highlights
- Representing foreign investors Cementos La Union as sole counsel in Annulment proceedings initiated in the wake of an ICSID Award, dated October 30, 2020, in one of the largest treaty claims brought against Egypt.
- Acting as co-counsel for investors in the second-largest commercial claim, historically, against the state or a state entity in Egypt. The case relates to the termination of a concession agreement entered into between a governmental entity (the DPA) and DIPCO, which is a consortium of some of the largest companies on earth in this business for the purpose of undertaking the design, establishment, and operation of a new container terminal in Egypt, for a duration of 40 years.
- Acting as sole counsel for EKH, a regional major conglomerate that have invested in the Eurobonds issued by the Government of Lebanon in disputes arising from the debt and default crisis of the Government of Lebanon.
Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law
Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law has established itself as a practice leader regarding high-profile disputes within the oil and gas, chemicals, and property sectors, representing clients in national and international matters. Youssef Abou Zeid heads the Dispute Resolutions Department and has extensive experience acting for prominent companies in commercial arbitration cases before various courts. As leader of the Arbitration Team, Mohamed Kamal’s skillset includes handling the procedures for enforcing arbitral awards and is often involved in cases of the projects, construction, and aviation sectors. Sameh Khodeir is particularly well versed in matters pertaining to the oil and gas industries.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They are very committed to their clients and will go above and beyond what is required.’
‘Youssef Abou Zeid is an outstanding individual who has deep knowledge and understanding of the Egyptian law. He is definitely someone who is different than anyone I have worked with in Egypt.’
Key clients
Accor Hotels
Abu Ghali Motors
American University in Cairo (AUC)
ARABCO for Petroleum Industries
Damac
Damietta International Port Company (DIPCO)
Egyptian German Automotive Co. EGA S.A.E
Egyptian Linear Alkyl Benzene (ELAB)
Egyptian Natural Gas Company (Gasco)
Gulf Egypt for Hotels & Tourism
Hebeish Group
Hilton International Company
Landmark Gulf Group (Fun City Egypt S.A.E)
Mapei S.P.A
Orascom Construction Industries Co. SAE
Petroleum Marine Services (PMS)
Solidere International Limited & Solidere Egypt Real Estate Investment and Development Company S.A.E
SUBEX – Serena Beach Hotel Company
United for Trading and Transport S.A.E
Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E
Work highlights
- Representing key market players in the oil & gas sector in arbitrations related inter alia to engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and start up contracts, technical services contracts and service agreements in upstream projects.
Zulficar & Partners Law Firm
Zulficar & Partners Law Firm represents corporations, investors, and governmental entities in domestic and international cases before all major arbitration fora. The firm has recently been involved in high-value cases from sectors such as construction, energy, telecommunications, finance, and real estate. Practice head Mohamed Abdel Wahab is frequently instructed in international arbitration proceedings as counsel, arbitrator, or expert. Youssef Al Saman focuses on negotiation complex projects and cross-border commercial transactions and is further specialised in prosecuting arbitration related judicial proceedings.
Practice head(s):
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Other key lawyers:
Youssef Al Saman
Key clients
Amer Group
Apache
APM Terminals
Bawabet Al Kuwait Holding co.
Egyptian Fertilizers Company (EFC)/ Orascom Construction Industries (OCI)
E-Methanex
HZPC
Nile Douma Holding
Orange
Pico Petroleum
Sixth October Development and Investment Company S.A.E.
TAQA
Cheiron Zaafarana Petroleum Company Limited
Total S.A.
Work highlights
- Acted as a legal expert on Bahraini Law for Al-Kheran Holding SPC in an ICC arbitration case against Majid Al Futtaim properties LLC in relation to a shareholder’s agreement.
- Acted as a legal expert on Saudi law for Air Products (the Defendant), a world-leading industrial gases company, in a litigation dispute before the US court brought by minority shareholders in a Saudi based company.
Al Tamimi & Company
Regional reach and cross-sectoral expertise are part of the arbitration practice at Al Tamimi & Company. With 17 offices in the MENA region, the firm is well-equipped to handle cross-border disputes for multinational clients and domestic companies operating internationally. Khaled Attia is the leading partner whose expertise spans litigation and arbitration with particular strengths in the areas of PPP and competition matters. Senior Associate Muhammad El Haggan frequently handles arbitration cases in construction and engineering and white-collar crimes including bribery and money laundering.
Practice head(s):
Khaled Attia
Other key lawyers:
Muhammad El Haggan
Work highlights
- Advising a leading chemical distributor across the Middle East and Africa in an arbitration matter concerning a construction dispute of multimillion USD.
- Advising a global offshore contractor and provider of integrated offshore solutions to the oil and gas industry in a circa USD 10 million arbitration against an Egyptian company, under Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.
ALC Alieldean Weshahi & Partners
ALC Alieldean Weshahi & Partners joins the ranking this year having recently established a dedicated arbitration practice. The firm handles matters from pre-dispute assessment up to the enforcement of judgements and awards. While former practice head Mohamed Kamal transferred to Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law, Yehia Shahine joined the firm in June 2020 from ADSERO-Ragy Soliman & Partners as new key partner. Shahine’s focus lies on arbitration in commercial complex disputes in several sectors such as sports, telecom, construction, and oil and gas. Founding partner Ahmed Weshahi is in charge of the dispute resolution practice and regularly acts as arbitrator before various fora.
Practice head(s):
Yehia Shahine
Other key lawyers:
Ahmed Weshahi
Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International)
Embedded into the global network of Baker McKenzie, Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International) is able to handle complex arbitration disputes through its access to cross-jurisdictional teams. Engineering and construction, oil and gas, post-M&A and other commercial disputes are areas the team advises its often multinational clients on. Of-counsel Hesham Ragab is the key contact and has served as a bench judge in various levels of courts. His practice focuses on dispute resolution and criminal cases. Counsel Saber Soliman is also an expert on contentious matters.
Practice head(s):
Hesham Ragab
Other key lawyers:
Saber Soliman
Work highlights
- Representing a leading Egyptian bank in a labour arbitration case brought by the General Syndicate for Bank Staff claiming differences in employee profit-sharing and allowances and setoffs of a value not estimated, which, if calculated, would amount to 100 million pounds.
- Representing an international hotel in labour arbitration case filed by the Syndicate of Tourism & Hotels against client in connection employees’ service commission for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 and raising the value of the end of service bonus from 8 months to 12 months.
- Representing an international hotel in a labour arbitration case filed by the Syndicate of Tourism & Hotels against client in connection to employees’ (12%) service commission for the years from 2008 to 2013 and profit share for the years from 2011 to 2014.
Khodeir & Partners
Despite its young age having been established at the end of 2019, Khodeir & Partners has built a respectable dispute resolution practice that doubled its team size in the last year, amounting to eleven practitioners. The firm handles arbitration matters in the sectors of construction, foreign direct investment, hospitality, sports, and shareholders dispute, amongst others. Ahmed Kotb heads the team and is often engaged as arbitrator and expert in domestic and international commercial and investment arbitrations.
Practice head(s):
Ahmed Kotb
Other key lawyers:
Mohamed Khodeir
Testimonials
‘The Khodeir Team is very professional and involved and you fee the strong wish to make the client succeed with its goals.’
‘Mohamed Khodeir and Ahmed Kotb both have great personalities and good communication skills.’
‘Khodeir’s team is always legally and professionally responsive to support the case requirement and to any queries or comments from their client. They understand the meaning of a team work performance. Their fees are quite reasonable and give the client the feeling that it is less than the value gained from their services.’
‘Ahmed Kotb is the partner leading the team of work and dedicating all his time to improve the quality of services provided.’
‘Partner driven advice with flexible cost solutions.’
‘Ahmed Kotb, Partner and Head of Disputes. Provides practical actionable advice without over complicating matters. Highly responsive.’
Rizkana & Partners
Challenging arbitral awards in complex disputes as well as enforcing them constitutes a major part of Rizkana & Partners’ arbitration practice. The firm handles contentious matters with a focus on the sectors oil and gas, construction, hospitality, and finance. Hazim Rizkana leads the practice with large expertise in dispute resolution, having been instructed by states, banks, and multinational companies in commercial as well as investor state arbitrations. Senior Associate Salma El Baz is experienced in handling matters in Egypt and France, especially in regard to public international law and international arbitration.
Practice head(s):
Hazim Rizkana
Other key lawyers:
Salma El Baz
Al Kamel Law Firm
The arbitration practice at Al Kamel Law Firm covers civil, commercial, and maritime dispute matters with specialisations in the areas of IP, oil and gas, and project finance. Clients include domestic and multinational companies from a variety of industries including sports, education, and energy. Four partners lead the department: Managing partner Mohamed Kamel, head of litigation Joseph Morcos as well as Rasheed Kamel and Shahira Khaled.
Practice head(s):
Mohamed Kamel; Rasheed Kamel; Joseph Morcos; Shahira Khaled
Key clients
Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (International) B.V.
Qatar National Bank
Marghany Advocates
The arbitration practice at Marghany Advocates frequently represents corporations of domestic and international nature in cases before the International Chamber of Commerce. Clients stem from sectors such as hospitality, transportation, entertainment, finTech, as well as oil and gas. Amir Marghany leads the team.
Practice head(s):
Amir Marghany
Riad & Riad
Riad & Riad handles high-value ad-hoc arbitrations before major institutions with the ability to combine multiple practice specialities and assist in cross-border matters. Additionally, the firm has a specialised team representing clients in labour arbitration cases, which includes labour law specialist Eman Riad. She leads the arbitration practice together with Fatma Salah, who has particular experience in the areas of construction, pharma, distribution and energy.
Practice head(s):
Fatma Salah; Eman Riad
Testimonials
‘Team with a huge legal background, with capabilities to interact with other locations and able to provide support on matters involving complex approach in terms of jurisdictions involved (contract governing law, arbitration procedure, etc). Collaboration with other firms in other locations is an added value for this firm, that makes a difference in comparison with other firms in Egypt.’
‘Fatma Salah is a great partner, with extended legal background and a key expert in arbitration, she is committed with all the cases under her portfolio, not only coordinating the team but also with direct participation, which is an added value in comparison with others competitors.’
Key clients
No NGS E&C
Acciona
Kellogg Tolaram
SEDCO
British Airways
Brilliance
SEDCO