Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution: arbitration

MP Lawyers and Legal Consultants strengthened its arbitration team through the recruitment of Tarek Badawy from Shahid Law Firm in January 2023.
Shehata & Partners Law Firm handles a range of arbitration matters, including annulments, enforcements procedural matters. The team is led by Mohamed Nour Shehata and construction arbitration specialist Ibrahim Shehata.

Dispute resolution: arbitration in Egypt

Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy

The market leading arbitration team at Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy is known for its representation of blue chip clients in high value and complex arbitration cases. In addition, the team is frequently involved in white collar crime investigations, anti-trust and alternative dispute resolution. Major sectors for the firm include telecoms, energy, hospitality, healthcare and media. Founding partner John Matouk handles disputes across the MENA region on both the local court level, as well as on behalf of major arbitral institutions. Amr Abbas is head of the arbitration team, leveraging a wealth of international experience, meanwhile Ahmed Abdelhakeem is another key name, with experience cross-border commercial and investment arbitrations.

Practice head(s):

John Matouk; Amr Abbas

Other key lawyers:

Ahmed Abdelhakeem; Omar Bassiouny; Amr Baggatto; Mohamed Sallam

Testimonials

‘We were highly impressed with the team members’ high qualifications, exceptional professionalism, dedication, and ethics. They are very organized, attend to every detail and prepare for all possible problems, even what would seem unlikely.’

‘MB team was formed of several impressive individuals. They were dedicated and worked with us for long hours, and they were always very organized and focused on details and how to preserve our interest throughout the dispute. They always gave practical advice during several complicated situations that happened. The most impressive individuals were Dr. Amr Abbas and Mr. Ahmed Abdelhakeem.’

‘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.’

‘For Mr. Ahmed Abdelhakeem, I was and still am impressed with his exceptional legal knowledge, experience, and ability to expect the opponent’s every move and be ready to react professionally. Besides being always reachable and responsive, he is a superstar, has excellent attention to detail, and provides out-of-box solutions when an unexpected matter arises.’

Key clients

Reliance Heavy Industries S.A.E.

International Holding Project Group and Other Kuwaiti Investors

Nogoom Football Club (“NFC”)

Chengdu Design & Research Institute of Building Materials Industry Co. Ltd. (“CDI”)

The Producers

Egyptian Resorts Company (“ERC”)

Work highlights

  • 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. MBH has also advised UFG on all aspects of the settlement negotiations undertaken between the various parties to the dispute.
  • 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. The Tribunal awarded NFC a sum over USD 1.25 million, in addition to all costs covering the arbitration costs and fees.

Shahid Law Firm

The arbitration team at Shahid Law Firm handles all forms of corporate and commercial disputes, including a number of complex multinational arbitrations. The firm is especially experienced in its handling of politically sensitive arbitrations, as well as those within the sports and media sectors. As managing partner, Girgis Abd El-Shahid specialises in dispute settlement with a particular focus on the energy sector. Recently-promoted counsel Inji Fathalla has a strong track record on international commercial disputes, while also working on matters in the energy, IP and construction sectors. Tarek Badawy left the firm in January 2023.

Practice head(s):

Girgis Abd El-Shahid

Other key lawyers:

Inji Fathalla

Testimonials

‘The team excels in providing quality service on Egyptian law and international arbitration. Extremely responsive, in-depth knowledge of Egyptian arbitration-jurisprudence, and ability to think deeply about the case and strategise the best outcome.’

‘Professional. Pragmatic. Commercial. Effecient.’

‘Girgis Abd El-Shahid. Very commercial and practical. Able to effectively manage expectations between our company and Egyptian stakeholders.’

‘Shahid are a highly professional outfit with a strong track record in international arbitration including recovery against state and state-owned defendants. They offer a pragmatic approach, including work at risk to develop a case; contingent substantive work; and thorough plans for strategic recovery in trickier cases.’

‘A strong international outlook and great capability to collaborate on matters.’

Key clients

Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

Libyan Foreign Bank

RINA S.p.A.

PTT Energy Resources Company Limited (“PTTER”).

International Air Transport Association (“IATA”)

Middle East Broadcasting Center (“MBC”)

Bigo Technology Pte. Ltd. (“Bigo”)

QAPCO & Qatofin

Ferro Corporation

Nokia

Zoetis

Turkish Airlines

Qatar Airways

Marubeni Corporation

Ülker

Abbott Laboratories

Confederation of African Football (“CAF”)

CTIP Oil & GAS UAE

Gesenu S.p. A

Arab Company for Touristic Project

Egyptian General Co. For Tourism and Hotels (“EGOTH”)

East Mediterranean Gas (“EMG”)

Vezeeta

Global Consolidated Contractor (Egypt)

Highways Arabia FZ LLC

Highways International Offshore SAL

Mediterra Energy International (Cyperus)

SYSTRA Group

Heidelberg Cement AG

Joussour Holding

Doosan Heavy Industries Constructions Co. LTD

Mohamed Abdel Raouf Bahgat

Yomna Mohsen Mohamed Mohyeldine Farag

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 a leading Saudi Investor in two arbitration cases filed before the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, against one of the major listed Egyptian conglomerates providing financial services in the region.
  • Acting for Gesenu S.p.A. in a multi-million-dollar investor State arbitration against the State of Egypt. The matter raises various technical administrative law questions, and issues of State responsibility in Egyptian and domestic law.

Shalakany Law Office

Shalakany Law Office‘s dispute resolution team is especially renowned for its handling of arbitration matters surrounding design and start-up related disputes. More generally, the team acts on the entire range of dispute resolution matters such as investor-state and shareholder disputes, often for multinational clients. Khaled El Shalakany heads the arbitration department and IP group while also being an expert in construction law. Adam El Shalakany is experienced in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes throughout the MENA region, as well as investment tribunals. Muhammad Ussama specialises in social media disputes, as well as commercial investor-state arbitrations.

Practice head(s):

Khaled El Shalakany; Adam El Shalakany; Muhammad Ussama; Taher Benany

Other key lawyers:

Muhammed Ussama; Nada Hesham

Testimonials

‘The firm has a deep understanding of local UAE laws and an excellent ability to apply this understanding to any given practical situation to achieve the best outcome. Advice is succinct, to the point and wrapped with a well thought out strategy. Not many firms can compete with the level and quality of service.’

‘Khaled El Shalakany has a brilliant mind, constantly out smarting opposing counsel. His ability to set out a winning strategy and execute is second to none.’

‘Adam El Shalakany’s attention to detail is outstanding. He is gifted in being able to simplify the most complex of information and provide clear and concise advice.’

Key clients

Equinox Petroleum Services

Weatherford International

Commercial International Bank (CIB)

Arabtec

Orascom/Arab Contractors

Gulf united

Protection for Contracting and Design

Rocco Forte

Quadra

Emaar Misr for Development S.A.E

Schlumberger

Kapci Coating

Tetra Pak

Three Corners for Hotels and Tourism

Youssef & Partners Attorneys

Youssef & Partners Attorneys‘ dispute resolution group regularly handles multibillion dollar arbitrations on an international scale. The team assists major domestic and international clients on the whole range of arbitration matters, including commercial and investment treaty arbitration. Karim A. Youssef leads the team, focusing on complex, high value commercial arbitrations across the MENA region. He is supported by César Ternieden, who advises clients on international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, particularly within the construction, automobile and hotel management sectors.

Practice head(s):

Karim A. Youssef

Other key lawyers:

César Ternieden

Testimonials

‘Dr Karim Youssef is intelligent and articulate, and extremely knowledgeable.’

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

Duro Felguera S.A.

Work highlights

  • Represented and secured the dismissal of $250 million claims in ICC proceedings involving high-net-wroth individuals.
  • Represented foreign investors (through an Egyptian JV) in the second-largest commercial claim historically against the Egyptian state or any state entity involving claims and counterclaims in excess of USD 2.3 billion, in relation to the termination of a 40-year concession agreement between the Damietta Port Authority and a consortium of some of the world’s largest shipping, port logistics, and supply-chain management companies.
  • Represent a major Spanish conglomerate in court and arbitration proceedings in the UAE against a government entity.

Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law

The members of Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law‘s arbitration team are experienced in counselling and arbitrating in major landmark arbitrations in Egypt and the wider MENA region. In particular, the works heavily in the petroleum, chemicals and property sectors. Mohamed Kamal leads the arbitration department, well-versed in handling international arbitrations and civil and commercial lawsuits. Elsewhere, in addition to his arbitration work, Sameh Khodeir also acts as head of the firm’s oil and gas department. Tamer Gamal is experienced in arbitrations in the telecoms, construction and banking sectors, while senior associate Dalia Hussein acts on institutional arbitrations within the corporate sector.

Practice head(s):

Sameh Khodeir; Mohamed Kamal

Other key lawyers:

Essam Taha; Tamer Gamal; Dalia Hussein

Testimonials

‘The team kept us very well-informed throughout the process which was completely new to us. The team was able to fully understand the case in very little time and were able to present it in a way which showed all aspects of the case.’

‘Zaki Hashem helped us all the way. From evaluating the case, reviewing the documents, setting-up the strategy, preparing the legal documents and creating the pathway for the case.’

‘In every step of the way Zaki Hashem and Partners is a professional organization, providing legal guidance and timely support.’

‘We are indebted to Zaki Hashem and Partners for its support in this case, and from now on all our business shall be with Zaki Hashem and Partners.’

‘Mr. Mohamed Kamal was the arbitration expert, and he provided instrumental guidance on the process. He provided unique insights to support our case.’

‘Tamer Gamal provided legal arguments and precedence cases to support our case. I believe his involvement helped us build a very strong case.’

‘The workhorse for this case was Ms. Dalia Hussein. She is a young and unique lawyer. She did all the required work. Hours and hours in studying the case and studying the documents we provided. She was fully dedicated to this case for months. Her support at any time of the day, sharing notes and reviewing documents, was beyond any reasonable expectation. She not only reviewed the whole case, reviewed our documents, studied the legal arguments, prepared summaries for the more senior members of the team.’

‘I am indebted to Ms. Dalia Hussein for her dedication, meticulous involvement, patience and perseverance in handling this case, and above all integrity and professionalism. Thank you Dalia.’

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 (OCI)

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.

Zulficar & Partners Law Firm

Zulficar & Partners Law Firm is well-recognised for its work on complex and high value disputes, especially in regards to major construction claims, energy disputes and mega telecoms disputes. In addition, the team also works on disputes surrounding hotel management, sale of goods, real estate, joint ventures and infrastructure. Mohamed S. Abdel Wahab leads the team with an expertise in handling cross-border disputes relating to international investment, construction law and energy. Youssef Al Saman advises international, corporate and governmental clients on commercial disputes, while Moustafa Alameldin specialises in commercial and investment arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed Abdel Wahab

Other key lawyers:

Youssef Al Saman; Moustafa Alameldin

Testimonials

‘Mohamed Abdel Wahab – very prepared arbitrator; deep experience in international arbitration; very thoughtful in his comments; collegial; engaged; insightful and sharp questions.’

‘Mohamed Abdel Wahab: Highly respected, very experienced arbitrator, exhibiting highest standard of integrity and ethics.’

‘Well-trained lawyers with remarkable high skills and capabilities. The firm uses the state of the art technology in serving its clients.’

‘Mohamed Salah Abdel Wahab is an outstanding arbitration practitioner.’

‘By far, this is the best arbitration law firm in Egypt and the Middle East. Led by one of the most talented arbitration practitioners worldwide, Mohamed Salah Abdel Wahad, the arbitration team groups rigorous female and made lawyers who combine knowledge and expertise. Female lawyers are well represented in this practice and many have senior positions in the team.’

‘Mohamed Abdel Wahab is one of the brightest lawyers in the MENA. His pleasant and approachable personality adds to his extraordinary analytical skills and legal culture.’

‘The firm has an extensive knowledge in Middle Eastern legislation. Team members understands both civil law and common law. The team is extremely capable and highly professional.’

‘PMohamed Abdel Wahab is a very highly regarded professional and a leading international arbitrator. He is also one of the rare academician in the region who understands the applicable law notably sharia law in international arbitration. He has the quality of being knowledgeable in several system of laws: common law, civil law and sharia law. He definitely stands out in the pool of arbitrators notably in the MENA region.’

Key clients

AMER GROUP

Apache

APM Terminals (Suez Canal Container Terminal)

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. (SODIC)

TAQA

Cheiron Zaafarana Petroleum Company Limited

Total S.A

Work highlights

  • Acted as legal expert on Bahraini law in an ICC arbitration case against Majid Al Futtaim Properties LLC (formerly known as MAF INVESTMENTS LLC) in relation to a shareholders agreement. The case was governed by Bahraini law.
  • Acted as 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. The case was governed by Saudi law.
  • Represented THE ARAB CONTRACTORS in a CRCICA dispute against an Iraqi individual and shareholder in the Iraqi Arab Contractors Company in relation to a founder’s agreement.

Al Tamimi & Company

With considerable experience in both domestic and international matters, the dispute resolution team at Al Tamimi & Company advises on all aspects of arbitrations linked to commercial and investment disputes. Additionally, the team also advises on a number of parallel proceedings across multiple jurisdictions. A particular area of expertise for the firm is its handling disputes within the maritime and IP sectors. Practice head Khaled Attia focuses on commercial arbitration, with particular experience in PPP and competition matters.

Practice head(s):

Khaled Attia

Work highlights

  • Advising a leading Chemical distributor across the Middle East and Africa in an arbitration matter concerning a construction dispute of multi-million-dollars
  • Advising a global offshore contractor and provider of integrated offshore solutions to the oil and gas industry in a circa US$10 million arbitration against an Egyptian company, under Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.

ALC Alieldean Weshahi & Partners

Established in 2020, The arbitration team at ALC Alieldean Weshahi & Partners has already established a diverse portfolio of local and international clients which it supports in high profile commercial arbitrations. Disputes related to sports, competition and construction laws are a particular area of expertise for the team. Founding partner Ahmed Weshahi leads the dispute resolution practice, with specific experience in the construction, media and oil and gas sectors. Yehia Shahine heads the arbitration practice, acting as counsel in ad-hoc and institutional arbitrations while also handling competition law matters.

Practice head(s):

Yehia Shahine

Other key lawyers:

Ahmed Weshahi; Ahmed Abou Zeid

Testimonials

‘They are very fast, reliable, competent, amazing results, very kind, focused, and goal oriented. Fees are very fair.’

‘They have a very strong team and recruit very good professionals.’

‘The firm offers a mixture of different types of expertise with a sharp understanding of the Egyptian legal and business environment.’

‘Yehia Shahine is an expert in the field of arbitration and his approach and management of disputes reflects not just his extensive legal knowledge but also his sound commercial judgment.’

Khodeir & Partners

Despite only being established in December 2019, Khodeir & Partners has already built a strong reputation for its work in arbitration, both within Egypt and internationally. In particular, the team is strong in the fields of construction, foreign direct investment, hospitality, sports and shareholder disputes. Ahmed Kotb established the firm’s dispute resolution department and is heavily involved in arbitrations surrounding international trade, employment and tax evasion matters. Sherif Elatafy is another key name, specialising in commercial and investment arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Ahmed Kotb; Youssef Taher

Other key lawyers:

Youssef Taher; Sherif Elatafy

Testimonials

‘Ahmed Kotb is an exceptionally talented lawyer. He is sharp, resourceful, highly ethical and business savvy.’

‘The team is a rising one. It is diverse, handles arbitration cases in a modern way. It is a team that is growing steadily.’

‘I know well Ahmed Kotb, who is a very bright arbitration lawyer with very strong skills in cross-examination (a rare skill in this region). He is also a rising arbitrator. I also know Sherif El Atafy who is a very good researcher and well versed in substantive law.’

‘The Khodeir team is highly professional and exceeded regularly my expectations with respect to quality and depth of the analysis and advice.’

‘I worked mainly with Ahmed Kotb. He is truly first class, very well structured in his work and the manner in which he is approaching each issue.

Rizkana & Partners

Rizkana & Partners has a strong track record in challenging arbitral awards in complex disputes, while also acting as consultants on arbitration law matters before national courts. Particular areas of expertise for the team include investor-state disputes, telecoms, hospitality and the sugar industry. Managing partner Hazim Rizkana is experienced in multimillion dollar commercial and investor-state arbitrations on an international scale. Counsel Salma El Baz has a particular expertise in public international law and international commercial arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Hazim Rizkana

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International)

With the support of Baker McKenzie's global network, the arbitration team at Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International) is able to handle complex arbitration disputes on an international scale. Construction, energy, natural resources and post-M&A are important areas of focus for the firm. Hesham Ragab leads the team with a focus on criminal cases, having served as a bench judge across various levels of Egyptian courts.

Practice head(s):

Hesham Ragab

Other key lawyers:

Mohamed Hafez

Mena Associates in association with Amereller Rechtsanwälte

Able to call upon AMERELLER’s international network, Mena Associates in association with Amereller Rechtsanwälte has a strong track record for handling multijurisdictional arbitrations and white collar crime mandates, particularly within the corporate, data protection, employment and public international law sectors. The arbitration is led in Cairo by Sherif El Saadani, who specialises in ad-hoc and institutional disputes throughout the MENA region.

Practice head(s):

Sherif El Saadani; Ashraf Ali; Florian Amereller

Other key lawyers:

Kilian Bälz

Riad & Riad

The dispute resolution and arbitration team at Riad & Riad leverages extensive experience in handling high value ad-hoc and institutional arbitrations, including those with cross-border components. In addition, the team specialises in labour arbitration and labour collective disputes. Fatma Salah handles dispute resolution within the construction, corporate, distribution and pharmaceuticals sectors while Eman Riad specialises in labour and employment disputes.

Practice head(s):

Fatma Salah; Eman Riad

Key clients

FAS Energy

GS E&C

Acciona

Kellogg Tolaram

SEDCO

British Airways

Brilliance

SEDCO

Work highlights

  • Representing GS E&C, a well-known Korean architecture and engineering company, in a dispute with a local subcontractor before Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA).
  • Advising Acciona, the Spanish multinational conglomerate in a dispute with the main contractor under the subcontract agreement in relation to the Grand Egyptian Museum project.