The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Saudi Arabia > Dispute resolution

Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni In association with Dechert LLP has expertise in litigation and arbitration and typically acts in disputes involving intellectual property, commercial contracts and project development. Legal advisers Yousef Al Husiki , Emad Zahrani and Atif Mulla lead the practice. Managing partner Hassan Mahassni is another key figure.

For some, Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co. has 'a greater understanding of the legal process in the country' than other firms according to one client, and particularly stands out for its work in the areas of banking, securities and capital markets. Practice head Andreas Haberbeck provides advice that is 'always clear and concise' and 'leaves you in no doubt as to his experience and knowledge of the Saudi Arabian legal process'. He is acting as an expert witness in English High Court proceedings brought by the liquidators of Saad Investments Company. He is supported by Amr Kady, who is an expert in sukuk litigation.

Khoshaim & Associates in cooperation with Allen & Overy LLP is consistently involved in high-profile disputes and is able to draw on team members' involvement in drafting and implementing Saudi law. The group particularly stands out for its experience representing clients before courts and judicial committees, including acting for clients before the Banking Disputes Committee and the Committee for the Resolution of Securities Disputes. The team has a varied caseload but has been kept especially busy recently handling oil and gas disputes. Arbitration is a core strength: managing partner Zeyad Khoshaim is a key name for international and domestic arbitration, while counsel Nasser Alrubayyi previously trained at the International Court of Arbitration.

AlDhabaan & Partners in association with Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP draws upon its experience advising government bodies and entities on regulations and is very prominent in acting for clients in disputes against government authorities. In one particular highlight, managing partner Fahad AlDehais AlMalki represented AlMal Investment Company in a dispute against the Saudi Economic Cities Authority concerning the unlawful termination of a contract involving the construction of an economic city. Saud Al Romi acted for Artar in its claim against the Saudi Ministry for Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources regarding license revocation. Firm founder Mohammed Aldhabaan leads the practice and has acted in commercial and administrative courts on real estate, inheritance and restructuring disputes.

Legal Advisors, Abdulaziz I. Al-Ajlan & Partners in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited predominantly represents multinational companies in cases concerning the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, construction and telecoms industries. The team also has experience acting before a number of courts, including shari'ah courts and the Committee for Negotiable Instruments. Abdulrahman AlAjlan leads the team and is skilled in both litigation and arbitration, with key strengths in contract breaches, compensation claims and shareholder disputes. Also leading the team is George Sayen, who is notably strong in construction and infrastructure-related cases. Ajlan Alajlan is another key figure and is very active in shareholder disputes and health and safety investigations. Anton Mikel, who is an expert in contract breaches and restructurings, is also noted.

Al Tamimi & Company has seen an uptick in high-level disputes work across a number of industries, including financial services, consultancy, healthcare and technology. In one highlight, Abdullah Al Tamimi successfully represented Sanad Hospital in defending an employment claim brought by the hospital’s former PRO-Director in a case that was heard before the Higher Labour Commission. Ahmed Basrawi is a key name for litigation and handles a range of disputes across a number of areas. Emad Salameh has experience in commercial and construction litigation.

An ‘excellent‘ team known for its ‘depth‘, ‘attention to detail‘ and ‘client-focused‘ approach, The Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan in cooperation with White & Case has a strong track record in construction and infrastructure-related disputes. Adam Pierson is a key figure and focuses on contentious issues involving the oil and gas sector. Other key names of note include Luka Kristovic Blazevic, who is especially notable fr construction-related international arbitration, and Yazeed Al-Toaimi, who is an expert in infrastructure disputes. Michael Turrini handles disputes across a number of GCC countries.

Al-Enezee Legal Counsel in association with EKP is recognised for its strength handling cross-border and domestic disputes involving the telecoms, energy, shipping, aviation, insurance and healthcare industries. Practice heads Khulaif Al-Enezee and Wissam Hachem acted for Saudi Arabia Airlines in a claim against a ground-handling service provider in relation to a damaged aircraft. The duo also represented the Chinese petroleum company Sinopec in a dispute against China Eleventh Chemical Construction involving a contractual matter concerning a major construction project in KSA.

Hammad Al-Mehdar & Co in alliance with Simmons & Simmons LLP's team is led by founding partner Mohammad Al Mehdar.  He has acted before local judicial bodies including The Negotiable Instruments Office at the Ministry of Commerce, The SAMA Banking Disputes Committee and the CMA Committee for the Resolution of Securities Disputes.

DLA Piper in collaboration with Amer Al Amr Law Firm's dispute resolution practice is led by Dubai-based Henry Quinlan, who stands out for his 'ability to manage commercial disputes with commercial empathy to key stakeholders'. In Riyadh, managing partner Amer Al Amr is the key figure; he recently acted for a telecoms company in enforcing its London ICC arbitration award before the Enforcement Court in Saudi Arabia.

Jones Day in association with Ebrahim Alhabardi Law Office's team has particular strengths handling contentious contractual issues surrounding major industrial and infrastructure projects. Alkhobar-based Javade Chaudhri  represents clients in litigation and arbitration relating to infrastructure projects. Dubai-based Pierre R. Heitzmann is another key figure for construction arbitration.

Shearman & Sterling LLP in association with Dr Sultan Almasoud & Partners represents international and domestic clients drawn from sectors incluing real estate, retail and financial services. Name partner Sultan Almasoud is the key name to note and is highly experienced in commercial litigation.