CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP (in association with Al Rashdi, Al Juma and Ewing Advocates and Legal Consultants) > Muscat, Oman > Firm Profile

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP (in association with Al Rashdi, Al Juma and Ewing Advocates and Legal Consultants)
LANDMARK BUILDING
6TH FLOOR 23RD JULY STREET
PO BOX 41, PC 136 MUSCAT
Oman

Oman > Projects and energy Tier 1

The energy and infrastructure practice at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a key port of call for the procurement of major and high-value projects, especially in the utilities, renewable energy, and gas sectors. The team frequently advises clients on project transactions, which can include sale of project assets and supply agreements, along with answering regulatory queries, and overseeing project procurement and development. Mary Allan and Charles Dolphin co-head the team, and are merited by clients for ‘providing very well-considered advice which incorporates a tremendous understanding’. Ben Ewing departed the firm.

Practice head(s):

Mary Allan; Charles Dolphin

Testimonials

‘CMS team led by Charles Dolphin has taken leading role to establish the Company I work for. They have really demonstrated full commitment to the interim management team and then to the permanent one during the transition.’

‘Charles Dolphin demonstrated full cooperation and courtesy to attending the Company’s requirements. Very knowledgeable and top-class lawyer.’

‘The team’s ability to advise on local law and best practice from around the region and elsewhere to ably and confidently steer forward unprecedented work in Oman.’

‘Mary Allan’s knowledge and experience applied to deliver on schedule despite the challenging and almost impossible timescales unprecedented work in Oman was very much appreciated.’

‘Very strong understanding of precedent documentation and developments therein. Their background knowledge is very useful for understanding the rationale for certain approaches and therefore how best to adapt them to the present project.’

‘Both Mary Allan and Charles Dolphin are highly responsive. Mary brings with her the whole history of the electricity sector which is very useful for our technical committee discussions and also for understanding the context of changes to precedent documentation. Charles is particularly useful in bringing his regional experience into the advice he provides.

‘Mary Allan and Charles Dolphin are always on, providing very well-considered advice which incorporates a tremendous understanding of how things actually work on the ground.’

Key clients

Oman Power and Water Procurement Company SAOC

Port of Duqm Company SAOC

Saudi Power Procurement Company

Petroleum Development Oman LLC

OQ Gas Networks

Atlantic Dawn Unlimited Company

Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Freezones

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Etihad Rail

KCA Deutag

Petrogas Exploration & Production LLC

The Oman Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones

Work highlights

  • Advising Oman Power and Water Procurement Company on its procurement, separately, of two new utility scale solar IPPs.
  • Advising the Saudi Power Procurement Company on its procurement of Round 4 of the National Renewable Energy Programme comprising two solar and 3 wind energy projects with a combined electricity generating capacity of 3.3 GW.
  • Advising Port of Duqm Company SAOC on the extension of its concession with the Oman Government for the development and operation of the Port of Duqm and on several major concession area infrastructure projects established pursuant to its concession.

Oman > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP‘s corporate and commercial department is retained across a broad spectrum of industries, and demonstrates notable aptitude in the energy sector in particular, advising clients in oil and gas, renewable energy, and power logistics-related matters. The team offers broad corporate expertise, advising clients on both transactional matters involving restructurings, share and asset sales, and joint ventures, along with regulatory, due-diligence, and licensing matters. Charles Dolphin advises Omani clients on high-value energy and infrastructure projects, and co-leads the team with Mary Allan, who holds over 20 years of experience advising clients on privatisations and infrastructure-related matters. Ben Ewing moved to a consultancy role in 2024.

Practice head(s):

Charles Dolphin; Mary Allan

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very much client oriented. Also very sound in their advice and thorough in their work.’

‘Everyone in the firm is always very approachable.’

‘Team’s strengths in specialized area lead to offer customized solutions. Innovative strategies tailored to meet our specific needs. Team commitment.’

‘CMS is well positioned to meet the evolving needs of clients and to ensure that each project has benefit on both sides.’

‘The people I work with stand out for their deep experience, proactive approach, and strong customer focus. They continually deliver innovative solutions while maintaining a collaborative and inclusive environment, such as Ben Ewing, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and dedication to customer success.’

‘The CMS corporate team have become an extension to our corporation. The firm offers exceptional service and sector knowledge in both Arabic and English. We can always rely on them to come up with the most practical and innovative solutions, with great value for money.’

Key clients

Oman Information and Communication Technology Group SAOC

Zubair Corporation LLC

Oman 70 (Holding) LLC

Alawi Enterprises LLC

Bank AL Habib, Bahrain Branch

Mazoon Petrogas SAOC

Petrogas E&P LLC

Kunooz Oman Holding SAOC

Salalah Mills Company SAOG

Oman Brunei Investment Company

Oman Investment Authority

Oman Telecommunications Company SAOG

Hutchison Ports Holdings Ltd

Rakiza GP I Ltd

KCA Deutag Drilling GmbH

KCA Deutag Energy LLC

Best Oil & Gas Solutions LLC

NMC Healthcare LLC

Oman Tower Company LLC

Work highlights

  • Advised Oman Information and Communication Technology Group SAOC (Ithca Group) on the sale of 39% of Oman Broadband Company SAOC to Rakiza, a fund specialising in core infrastructure assets in Oman.
  • Advised Oman Telecommunications Company SAOG on its investment in Etlaq Space which will develop a space launch complex in Duqm with the project being sponsored by the National Aerospace Services Company LLC.
  • Advised Oman Information and Communication Technology Group SAOC on its investment in Global Semiconductor Micro Electronic USA (GSME USA) through a share subscription.

Oman > Banking and finance Tier 3

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP‘s finance department is distinguished by its ‘deep experience, proactive approach, and strong customer focus’, advising clients on conventional finance, finance sector acquisitions, including share and asset sales, and project financing. The team is additionally experienced in various cross-border matters, especially transactional mandates. Senior associate Helen Dean leads the team, and holds over 15 years of experience in project finance, syndicated loan agreements, and corporate lending. Charles Dolphin was promoted to partner in May 2023. Since April 2024, Ben Ewing moved to a consultancy role.

Practice head(s):

Helen Dean

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Compared to other firms, CMS is distinguished by its progressive approach to diversity and inclusion in order to serve the clients with collaborative environment and that leads to more innovative solutions and stronger client relationship.’

‘The people I work with stand out for their deep experience, proactive approach, and strong customer focus. They continually deliver innovative solutions while maintaining a collaborative and inclusive environment, such as Ben Ewing, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and dedication to customer success.’

‘The team is lead by Helen Dean, Senior Associate, who is always available to answer any questions. The team showed exceptional skills and commitment to delivering key advice and solutions within tight deadlines.’

‘Their extensive experience in the field has made them true experts in finance transactions and are able to navigate finance documents seamlessly.’

‘Helen Dean – great team leader and project manager.’

Key clients

Oman Broadband Company SAOC

Oman Tower Company LLC

Bank Muscat SAOG Meethaq Islamic Banking

KCA Deutag Drilling Gmbh

KCA Energy LLC

Oman Brunei Investment Company SAOC

Omani Hospitality Company SAOC

Petrogas Exploration & Production LLC

Mazoon Petrogas SAOC

Oman Information and Communication Technology Group SAOC (Ithca Group)

Work highlights

  • Advised KCA Deutag Energy LLC on local law issues for the financing of two new land rigs (rigs 1 & 2) financed by Oman Arab Bank SAOG to service new contracts with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), as well as setting up a new SPV for the transaction.
  • Advised KCA Deutag Energy LLC on local law issues for the financing of two further new land rigs (rigs 3 & 4) financed by Oman Arab Bank SAOG again to service new contracts with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).

Oman > Dispute resolution Tier 3

The dispute resolution department at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP represents both local and international clients in a variety of commercial, corporate, and debt claim-related matters. Led by its senior partners Greg Sibbald, Amur Al Rashdi, and Faris Al Maashari, the team is broadly experienced in a variety of industries, representing actors in the healthcare, construction, oil and gas, and insurance industries, among others. Benjamin Ewing is now acting as a consultant in the team.

Practice head(s):

Greg Sibbald; Amur Al Rashdi; Faris Al Maashari

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team is very dynamic in its approach to new and current clients. Their experience and market reach shows dedication and commitment to each case they handle. They are able to achieve results based on a unique and well established method that has proven to be very effective.’

‘Dr Amur Al Rashdi is highly experienced, logical approach to all scenarios.’

‘Faris Al Maashari is well versed in the laws applicable, good outreach and relationship with clients.’

Key clients

KCA Deutag Drilling Gmbh

Muscat Leading Plastic Company LLCSteel Industries LLC

Oman Power & Water Procurement Company

NMC Health Care LLC

Swissport Oman LLC

Elegant Medical Centre LLC

BTA (Oman Branch)

Rukun Al Yaqeen International Group

Ghantoot Transport and General Contracting LLC

Abraj Energy Services SAOGC

International Drilling Technology LLC

Oman Tower Company LLC

Kunooz Oman Holding SAOC

Al Shawamikh Oil Services SAOC

Work highlights

  • Representing BTA Food and Beverages Joint Stock Company in multiple employee claims filed by the employees against the company.
  • Representing Al Madina Takaful Insurance SAOG in multiple insurance claims filed against the company.