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Litigation (Disputes and ADR)

Deals

  • Successfully acted for the Claimant in an ICC arbitration concerning a metro project against an international main contractor (award value: QAR 100 million – FIDIC Red Book).
  • Representing four Respondents in a DIAC corporate arbitration seated in Cyprus concerning voidance of a consulting contract under Qatari law (dispute value: circa USD 58 million – bespoke consultancy contract).
  • Successfully represented a blue-chip technology company in a competition law dispute before the Qatari courts, securing the reversal of a regulatory decision that sought to block a high-profile acquisition.
  • Represented the families of victims in the Villaggio fire tragedy in landmark civil litigation involving complex liability issues and total claims exceeding QAR 280 million.
  • Represented multiple financial institutions in high-value commercial disputes, including precedent-setting litigation with individual claims exceeding QAR 2 billion.
  • Advised an employer on circa 16 separate litigation matters brought by the same contractor (dispute value: circa QAR 600 million).
  • Acting for a semi-government entity in multiple construction and operational disputes valued in excess of QAR 1.4 billion, including claims arising from major infrastructure projects.
  • Representing client's in high-profile white collar crime matters.

Team Services

Sharq Law Firm’s Dispute Resolution practice is widely recognised in Qatar for its strength across litigation, arbitration, and white-collar crime. The firm acts in complex, high-value matters before all levels of the Qatari judiciary, including the Court of Cassation, and regularly appears before the QICDRC within the QFC. It also represents clients in international arbitrations under ICC, QICCA, DIAC, and UNCITRAL rules, with strong expertise in construction, real estate, tax, and corporate disputes.

The practice is led by Senior Partner Rashid Al Saad, a leading Qatari lawyer known for his strategic leadership in major domestic proceedings, and Counsellor Abdelraouf El Bekei, a former Cassation judge with over four decades of judicial experience. The team includes bilingual litigators and internationally trained arbitration counsel, several of whom are regularly instructed as Qatari law experts in cross-border matters.

Clients include government entities, contractors, financial institutions, and multinationals. The team is also recognised for its dispute avoidance capability, having resolved complex matters through commercially viable settlements.

Recent work includes a DIAC arbitration seated in Cyprus (QAR 200m), an ICC arbitration for a subcontractor (QAR 400m), and representing a developer in proceedings up to the Court of Cassation (QAR 1bn).

Client testimonials

Chambers and Partners 2025

"Rashid Al Saad's dedication and attention to detail make him a trusted resource for his clients, and his ability to communicate effectively contributes to the smooth completion of deals."

Legal 500 - 2022

“Both Rashid Alsaad and Josias De Salles are very switched-on lawyers who can immediately grasp the nuts and bolts of the problem and provide innovative solutions when required.”

Legal 500 EMEA 2024

“A very strong firm, focused on doing everything within their power to get best results for clients.”

Chambers and Partners 2024

“A popular choice among both domestic and international companies in connection with construction and project disputes.”

Legal 500 2022

“Josias De Salles, senior associate, deserves special mention. Running large cases with skill and confidence, excellent client communication and a very able lawyer.”

Legal 500 2024

"Sharq Law Firm Arbitration Department has extensive experience in construction dispute resolution, well-known for its dedication and provision of quality legal services.”

Legal 500 EMEA 2024

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

Awards and Recognition

Ranked Lawyer - Rashid Al Saad

Ranked Lawyer - Rashid Al Saad

Chambers & Partners

Up and Coming - Josias de Salles

Up and Coming - Josias de Salles

Chambers & Partners - International Arbitration

Leading Associate - Perla El Mardini

Leading Associate - Perla El Mardini

Legal 500 - 2025

Top Tier Firm

Top Tier Firm

IFLR 1000

Highly Regarded Lawyer - Rashid Al Saad

Highly Regarded Lawyer - Rashid Al Saad

IFLR 1000

Woman Leader - Marwa Bamatraf

Woman Leader - Marwa Bamatraf

IFLR 1000

Recommended Lawyer - Rashid Al Saad

Lexology Index (Who's Who Legal) - Construction - 2025

Future Leader - Josias de Salles

Future Leader - Josias de Salles

Lexology Index (Who's Who Legal) - Arbitration - 2025

Leading Partner - Rashid Al Saad

Leading Partner - Rashid Al Saad

Legal 500 - 2025

Next Generation Partner - Marwa Bamatraf

Next Generation Partner - Marwa Bamatraf

Legal 500 - 2025

Leading Associate - Josias de Salles

Leading Associate - Josias de Salles

Legal 500 - 2025