Interview with: Qays H. Zu’bi, Chairman

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Zu’bi & Partners from your competitors?

Experience is invaluable, and providing high-quality legal services is the Firm’s forte. Zu’bi & Partners has 102 years of experience in the legal field starting in 1921; our client retention, our quality of services achieved through extensive knowledge of the law and the markets around us, as well as our practical expertise is evident from the recognition and numerous accolades received by the law firm on an annual basis.

The Firm’s constant effort to upgrade itself and its ability to handle a variety of legal practice areas in various languages, advise on, execute, then close or litigate transactions successfully by specialized teams of qualified multinational lawyers with different qualification backgrounds, handling very complex cases covering many practice areas, makes Zu’bi & Partners a provider of first-class comprehensive legal support for its clients.

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

Intellectual Property, especially Technology Telecommunication related, Blockchain, Fintech, and Online Business practices will show marked growth in the next 12 months. Intellectual Property will boom because of Artificial Intelligence technologies like chatbots and marketing automation creating a need for a more acute understanding of infringement in the digital space. Blockchain, fintech, and online businesses are being driven by the emerging ease of accessibility.

Having a sound legal and judicial system is definitely a drive as it provides confidence. The ability to litigate in a language different than Arabic before the law courts is a plus. The enactment of new laws and regulations mirroring best international practices is also a driver towards boosting the economy and providing confidence to international investors.

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

The primary change made benefiting the Firm’s client base is the commitment to the roadmap expansion of the service offering. Zu’bi & Partners has grown the team to focus on widening the practice areas to include new trends like cryptocurrency. Furthermore, a focus on training lawyers to become private execution officers in response to the new Execution Law privatizing the procedures for executing court judgments has been a forward-moving change benefiting clients. Key to the firm’s growth is its constant effort in updating its cloud systems, enabling it to provide regional legal services within the Arabian Gulf including providing services through its offices in Dubai and Jordan.

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

While technology is rapidly evolving in Bahrain and around the world, the firm is on top of such evolution. While the Firm prides itself on a tete-a-tete experience, Zu’bi & Partners in partnering with its clients is making strides to enable clients to directly access their own files including

providing documentation for use in submissions. Keeping in line with efforts applied, implemented, and executed by the Government of Bahrain to streamline the Judicial system, government entities like courts and ministries have been enabled to receive electronic filings of documents and process the same including issuance of judicial awards and judgements.

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

We value our relationships with clients. We regard our clients as our partners, supporting them in their growth and protecting them when needed. We feed our clients with the latest information relevant to new laws and regulations which would impact their business. In certain cases, we engage experts to support matters to ensure that they would succeed.

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Yes, clients are looking for both stability and strategic direction from their law firms. Though most would consider stability more important as it is a direct measure of the Firm’s ability to facilitate strategic direction, retain its lawyers and succeed where needed, giving the firm the ability to provide the most efficient, logical, and accurate legal advice to a broader, more technically driven client pool including SME’s.