About

Oman-based Bank Sohar has been growing rapidly and is now the fastest growing bank in the country. The legal department, led by head of legal Elsamawal Idris, has played a crucial role in this upward development. When Idris joined the company there was no legal function to support the bank. Over the last two years the legal team have evolved to protect the bank from unnecessary litigation and are commended on their ability to negotiate amicable settlements. Dispute resolution is handled with such care that other mechanisms such as arbitration are sought after first while adding special technical input. The team is also applauded for their real-time knowledge of local laws and their commercial insight into Oman’s banking sector. They are constantly escalating by improving efficiency and performance in the legal function, while maintaining flexibility to meet the banks rapid growth and diversification.