Next Generation Partners

Projects, real estate and construction in Qatar

Al Tamimi & Company In Association with Adv. Mohammed Al Marri

Al Tamimi & Company In Association with Adv. Mohammed Al Marri expertly advises a range of employers, contractors, subcontractors and consultants on both contentious and non-contentious projects matters, combining its extensive local law expertise with the international experience of its team members to best support global clients. Arsalan Sheikh heads up the team, which has notable strength advising on energy projects and in regards to local law interpretations of the FIDIC forms of contract. Construction disputes are a specialist area for Hani Al Naddaf, whose deep understanding of the Qatari Civil Code is coupled with arbitration experience. Also a construction expert, Khushboo Shahdadpuri is dual-qualified across Singapore and the State of New York.

Practice head(s):

Arsalan Sheikh


Other key lawyers:

Hani Al Naddaf; Frank Lucente; Khushboo Shahdadpuri; Andrew Symms


Key clients

Baker Hughes


Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd


Qatar Solar Technologies


Tecnicas Reunidas SA


Bechtel


Leonardo SpA and PSC SpA


Franke Care Systems Middle East


Amana Qatar Contracting Company WLL


Work highlights


  • Representing Bechtel, the leading US-based engineering, construction and project management company, in ICC arbitration proceedings filed by the Qatar Government against Bechtel in relation to the construction of the New Doha International Airport.
  • Representing Qatar Solar Technologies in an ongoing arbitration matter pertaining to the Ras Laffan solar power plant.
  • Representing Leonardo, the leading Italy-based company specialising in aerospace, defence and security and PSC Group in this high-value and complex arbitration.

Sharq Law Firm

A very strong firm, focused on doing everything within their power to get best results for clients', Sharq Law Firm‘s construction team supports clients from contract drafting matters including FIDIC-related work, to conflict resolution. Clients range from governmental bodies to high-profile financial institutions, and arbitration is a particular strength of the team. Founder and managing partner Rashid Al Saad, an expert in major infrastructure projects, co-leads alongside Abdelraouf Elbekei. A ‘stand-out’ member of the team, Josias De Salles advises contractors and developers in a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, with a focus on international arbitrations.

Practice head(s):

Rashid Al Saad; Abdelraouf El Bekei


Other key lawyers:

Josias De Salles


Testimonials

‘A very strong firm, focused on doing everything within their power to get best results for clients. Excellent construction arbitration team who are a delight to work with.’

‘Real team players who appreciate and value the external resources that they use to ensure clients are given the best possible service.’

‘Josias de Salles is extremely good, proactive and approachable. Exceptional work ethic, excellent strategically, knows the law, and has a very calm authoritative manner with clients. A real stand-out member of the Sharq Law team.’

Work highlights


  • Representing two Claimants, the developers of a luxury real estate development in the middled, in a QICCA arbitration against a Main Contractor with dispute value in excess of QAR 1 billion.
  • Representing the Respondent in a DIAC corporate arbitration seated in Cyprus with a dispute value in excess of QAR 150 million.
  • Successfully represented the Respondent in a QICCA arbitration concerning the construction of 5 developments in Qatar in which the respondent was the net winner.

White & Case LLP

The project development and finance, construction, and dispute resolution-focused teams at White & Case LLP in Doha have ‘great knowledge of the region‘: with leadership from Payvand Vahdat in Doha, Michael Turrini in Dubai and Philip Stopford in London, the team pairs regional strength with local expertise. Energy projects are an area of expertise for the team, which has a longstanding relationship with QatarEnergy which is spearheaded by Stopford. The project finance team are ‘recognised experts‘ in the market. Both front-end construction work and construction disputes are strengths, Vahdat in particular is a key name for arbitration in the construction sector.

Practice head(s):

Philip Stopford; Payvand Vahdat; Michael Turrini


Other key lawyers:

Verena Gross; Farah Haider


Testimonials

‘When working on an international arbitration with Payvand Vahdat, he took a hands-on approach and gave sage advice.’

‘Verena Gross is extremely bright. Her ability to seamlessly digest information is tremendous, her drafting is first-rate, as are her cross-examination skills. She successfully managed the entire process, much to the satisfaction of her client. She is also marvellous to deal with.’

‘Farah Haidar is also an excellent lawyer who delivers and produces fantastic work and is a pleasure to work with.’

‘Good established leadership in project finance, with recognised experts. Advice is comprehensive and actionable.’

‘Philip Stopford is great in project finance.’

‘Great knowledge of the region having had a strong presence in Qatar for a number of years, coupled with the highly competent team of lawyers who have extensive experience of the construction projects, makes White & Case a go-to firm for construction disputes.’

‘Michael Turrini consistently develops great relationships with clients that allow him to provide considered and genuine advice on strategic dispute matters.’

‘Verena Gross is technically excellent, her knowledge of contract law is exceptional and she always ensures she gets into the detail of a dispute so can provide clear advice on the merits of her client’s case.’

Key clients

QatarEnergy


Qatargas Operating Company


Qatar Aluminium Limited (Qatalum)


Qatar Investment Authority


Ras Laffan Petrochemical Company


Work highlights


  • Advising QatarEnergy and its joint venture partner in connection with a US$6bn petrochemical complex in Ras Laffan, Qatar.

DWF

The projects team at DWF is noted for its 'deep understanding of the subject'. Its expertise spans standard form contracts – specifically FIDIC contracts – to PPP across a range of business sectors. Kirk Durrant leads the team, which represents clients both domestically and internationally. Durrant is supported by members of the team who are qualified across England and Wales, France, Pakistan, and Australia. Focusing on creative solutions, both in contentious and non-contentious matters, the team has notable arbitration experience.

Practice head(s):

Kirk Durrant


Other key lawyers:

Elena Suraeva


Testimonials

‘Deep understanding of the subject they are involved with.’

‘Kirk Durant is very knowledgeable. He is also very much dependable. It is a really pleasure to work with him.’

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

The projects and energy, real estate and construction-focused teams from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP combine PPP expertise with project finance, real estate and construction capabilities and have a strong regional presence. Dani Kabbani is the key name in Qatar, and is particularly experienced in work with government bodies and a go-to for PPP. Dubai-based practitioners Ashley Halewood, Paul Taylor, and Steven Henderson co-lead the team alongside Kabbani and specialise in projects, construction and real estate respectively.

Practice head(s):

Dani Kabbani; Ashley Halewood; Paul Taylor; Steven Henderson


Key clients

Qatar General Electricity and Water Co (Kahramaa)


Qatargas


Aspire Zone


Public Works Authority of Qatar


Ministry of Transport


Ministry of Finance in Qatar


Ministry of Health in Qatar


Qatar Airways


Qatar National Tourism Council


Ministry of Municipality and the Environment


Qatar Steel


K&L Gates

Front-end projects work is the hallmark of the team at K&L Gates in Doha, which is led by PPP specialist Paweł Piotrowski. Piotrowski, praised as ‘knowledgeable and collaborative‘, advises on project finance; construction and infrastructure matters, as well as public procurement, both in Qatar and across the region. Clients range from high-profile individuals to government ministries, and large real estate developers. The growing team gained Joelle Salame from Dentons in January 2023, and Christopher Abraham in July 2023 from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP.

Practice head(s):

Paweł Piotrowski


Other key lawyers:

Joelle Salame; Christopher Abraham


Testimonials

‘K&L gates provide an exceptional personal service and endeavor to communicate in a way that benefits the company, making timely decisions on matters of legal importance. They prefer a collaborative approach whilst remaining aware of the needs of the client.’

‘Pawel Piotrowski has performed beyond expectations and provided solid advice and service backed up by a strong team of associates.’

‘Pawel Piotrowski and Joelle Salame are both responsive, hands-on, and straight to the point.’

‘Very good knowledge of the local market but their main differentiator is the international experience that they bring compared to others. Setting up international firms in Qatar is very complex and we found K&L to be the best-suited to drive an international corporation set-up in Qatar.’

‘This is an excellent international firm for local firms to collaborate with. They have deep expertise in certain sectors and are generous in sharing knowledge. We have been successful in winning major mandates alongside them.’

‘Pawel Piotrowski is very knowledgeable, and collaborative. It is a pleasure to work with him and clients like his approach.’

‘Cannot highlight sufficiently the first-class responsiveness coupled with deep understanding, and above all pragmatic advice provided in response to complex issues. The team fully takes account all commercial attributes and doesn’t simply take a theoretical legal viewpoint.’

‘Pawel Piotrowski is highly professional, clear and pragmatic, a solution finder, and responsive.’

Key clients

Iberdrola QSTP LLC


Barwa Real Estate


Elemental S.A.


MCubed for Oil & Gas Services


Work highlights


  • Continuing to advise Iberdrola as their primary outside counsel for Qatar.
  • Continued to advise Barwa on a PPP project with the Qatar Ministry of Education to design, build, finance, and maintain eight public schools.
  • Retained by Elemental S.A., a Chilean architectural firm, in relation to their various contracts for design of a new museum for the State of Qatar named ‘Art Mill’.

Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners

At Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners, the focus is on advising clients through their contractual relationships from start to finish. The team fields its advisory, transactional and dispute resolution strengths to support clients both domestic and international. Salman Mahmood advises a range of corporate and institutional clients, with particular strength in infrastructure disputes. Dispute resolution is also a specialist area for Ashraf Feshawi, whose practice focuses on litigation and arbitration. Thomas Williams is sought after for construction and engineering work, particularly involving cross-border challenges. Founder and managing partner Sultan Al-Abdulla has extensive experience in complex, multinational projects. The four oversee the team.

Practice head(s):

Sultan M Al-Abdulla; Salman Mahmood; Ashraf Feshawi; Thomas Williams


Key clients

Ashurst


Stephenson Harwood


Three Crowns LLP


Qatar Building Company


Darwish Engineering WLL


Baker & McKenzie


Al Seal Contracting & Trading Co. WLL


First Qatar Company


Dukhan Bank


Samsung C&T Corporation


Work highlights


  • Representing a multinational construction company in multiple disputes against sub-contractors related to a construction project.
  • Representing the client in a dispute arising over a construction agreement that has been entered into between the client and a major construction company before the Court of First Instance to claim an amount of QR 527.9m.
  • Representing the client, a contractor, before the court claiming for unpaid invoices, variation claims and prolongation costs. The price of the contract was for an amount of QR128m.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Praised for its ‘significant strength in expertise’, the construction, real estate and disputes team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP continues to grow, with head of Qatar office Alim Khamis appointed in January 2023. Khamis’ practice focuses on construction and infrastructure disputes, acting in international and domestic arbitrations. Paula Boast co-heads the team from Bahrain, leading the firm’s Middle East region construction, engineering and projects team. In Qatar, Marjan Mirrezaei and Christopher O’Brien are key team members.

Practice head(s):

Alim Khamis; Paula Boast


Other key lawyers:

Thanos Karvelis; Marjan Mirrezaei; Christopher O’Brien


Testimonials

‘There was significant strength in expertise and efficient and effective, appropriate use of partner and associate leads for briefs and papers.’

‘Advice was structured appropriately for clients with limited legal expertise. They surpassed expectations.’

‘Most impressive was the individuals’ teamwork. There was highly effective gearing and sequencing so that they appointed a lead for the appropriate stage but awareness remained amongst the team’

Key clients

Energy City Qatar


FIFA 2022 World Cup


GEK Terna Holding Real Estate Construction S.A


Nixon Hire Middle East


Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail)


Work highlights


  • Advising Bemco in relation to their disputes with the Main Contractor QD-SBG on the Dukhan Road East Project.

Clyde & Co LLP

Clyde & Co LLP‘s real estate and construction team in Doha combines specialist real estate expertise with experience across the construction project cycle, supporting clients from employers and contractors to consultants and suppliers. Laura Warren heads the team, bringing extensive experience in the Qatari market to both contentious and non-contentious matters with the support of barrister Jonathan Parker, who is praised for his ability to stay ‘one step ahead’ during disputes. Real estate work is headed up by Peter Greatrex who has a particular focus on hospitality sector work.

Practice head(s):

Laura Warren


Other key lawyers:

Peter Greatrex; Jonathan Parker


Testimonials

‘The team is knowledgeable in the construction industry. They understand the dynamics and easily communicate with people from different fields.’

‘Jonathan Parker is an experienced lawyer in dealing with construction related disputes. He provides correct solutions and always tries to be one step ahead of the counter parties.’

Pinsent Masons LLP

The projects, real estate and construction team at Pinsent Masons LLP supports a range of clients in Qatar and globally across a range of sectors including retail, hospitality and education in both advisory and disputes contexts. Jonathan Collier co-leads the team from Doha, with a practice focused on international, complex construction disputes. Alongside Collier, Dubai-based Tim Armsby co-heads the team; Armsby is a projects specialist with notable experience in PPP frameworks across the MENA region. The team works closely with the firm’s dispute resolution practice. Pamela McDonald is a noteworthy member of the practice.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Collier; Tim Armsby


Other key lawyers:

Pamela McDonald


Key clients

United Developers


Natixis, Norinchukin


Siemens Bank


Shinsei bank


Apicorp


China Railway Construction Company


HBK JV


Work highlights


  • Advised the lender group to the winning consortium of Qatar’s first PPP wastewater plant in Al Wakrah, valued at $1.48bn.