Pinsent Masons in Qatar

Transcription

1 Pinsent Masons in Qatar

2 For over a decade, we have been serving both Qatari clients and their businesses and the wider local business community. We operate from our office in the iconic Tornado Tower in the heart of Doha s financial district under licence from the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA). Our team of seasoned experts is able to advise government entities and the business community at large on a wide range of issues, both under Qatari/ local laws and regulations, and other international provisions. The Doha office, like the firm, focuses on advising clients across our Global Sectors, with a particular focus on Energy, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Financial Services. As long-term stakeholders in Qatar s business prosperity, we also look forward to the continued opportunity to play a part in contributing to the successful implementation of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad s vision for Qatar. We are committed to working with our Qatari partners and the legal community in reinforcing this vision. In support of the educational and learning needs of Qatar, we are proud to work with the Faculty of Law at Qatar University to assist in the development of young and talented Qatari lawyers, including work experience in our offices in Doha and internationally.

3 Energy As one of the largest dedicated energy teams of any international law firm, we have a wealth of transactional and contentious experience. We advise clients from oil supermajors and utilities to independent developers, equipment suppliers and financiers. Our established network of relationships with government and regulatory bodies, industry professional and the wider energy community offers unrivalled insight on the full range of energy projects both in Qatar and internationally. Whether your project uses oil and gas, conventional, nuclear or renewable power, we offer the full range of legal services covering procurement, construction, operation, fuel supply and grid connection, project financing, tenders and contractual frameworks. We also advise on employment law, corporate and commercial issues, intellectual property rights, health and safety and dispute resolution. Infrastructure We have the largest team of specialists in the Middle East, and are recognised as the leading infrastructure and construction law firm. We have a depth of expertise working with major contractors, delivery parties, major owners and operators in social infrastructure, education, health, transport, waste management, water, hospitality, sport and leisure. Our experience enables us to offer both an entire project lifecycle and significant knowledge in all the related areas of law including procurement, planning, dispute resolution, environmental law, real estate and on day to-day operational and compliance issues such as employment and health and safety. Financial services Our financial services team has a breadth and depth of experience advising a range of domestic and international financial services institutions, from banks to private equity clients, as well as providing essential services to high-net worth clients. We advise on both Islamic and conventional syndicated funding, on a transaction by transaction basis, including project finance, property finance, infrastructure finance and investment funds. Our team consists of experienced practitioners who have worked in financial services for many years, not only in legal roles, but for regulatory bodies in the GCC, and so have practical knowledge of the regulatory requirements and procedures. Real Estate Our team advise on the full range of real estate and property requirements from both an international and local perspective. Our team is supported by a global team of over 240 lawyers. We have been involved in structuring a number of developments throughout the Middle East and have advised on the acquisition and resale of units from every master developer. As well as advising foreigners on their Qatari investments, our experience in cross-border property management means we also advise clients in the Middle East on investing in Europe and Asia Pacific. 03

4 04 Understanding the Market Our team in Doha has considerable experience in providing full support on major infrastructure projects. In addition, we advise on all aspects of corporate, commercial, regulatory, tax, employment and agency law in the Qatar Financial Centre, employment and agency law. We also provide a full service for the establishment and administration of funds and companies. Our expert private wealth team advises local clients across professional and personal matters, they value the commercial approach we bring to their day-to-day requirements. This is married with our high service standards and absolute discretion. Strength in Depth Each partner in our Doha office brings years of experience in their respective field of law and industry sector to provide creative and innovative yet pragmatic solutions, in particular in the following practice areas: Corporate & Commercial Dispute Resolution Construction Advisory Real Estate Private Wealth Regulation & Compliance Local Laws As you would expect, we are well-versed on Qatari laws as well as other local rules and regulations, and our team includes regional Arabic speaking lawyers. Our services include establishing a local presence a fixed price service to help you set up a corporate or legal entity in Qatar, including limited liability companies and branch offices. Our dedicated Business Start Up Units guide you through the process for trading, licensing, registration and obtaining governmental approvals. We can assist with introductions to potential sponsors and partners in Qatar and, through our regional network, we offer a similar service elsewhere in the Middle East. Working with Government Pinsent Masons has a well-established track record of advising governments on important projects, PPPs and privatisations and drafting laws and regulations. We have been trusted with some of the largest and most ambitious projects in the world. In the Middle East and Qatar more particularly, we have worked closely with government entities to shape the legal and regulatory landscape in a range of sectors including the Telecoms, Infrastructure and Planning & Environment sectors.

5 A range of expertise Construction Advisory We are consistently rated as the go to firm for construction law by leading international directories, in recognition of our experience structuring, documenting and delivering procurements for major projects in the Middle East and beyond. We have unparalleled experience acting for all the principal parties in construction projects, from developers, funders, to contractors and subcontractors, and in relation to the entire lifecycle of those projects. Our diverse client base and specialist construction knowledge means we understand the commercial drivers and market norms for all parties. We advise in relation to all aspects of contracting and its related forms, developing innovative solutions to enhance project deliverability. Our procurement to completion service helps clients develop an overall legal strategy for a project, including support to completion. We are also the market leading firm for dispute resolution in the construction space in the Middle East and beyond. We are able to advise claimants and respondents in relation to all aspects of resolving complex disputes using conciliation, mediation, adjudication, expert determination, multi-jurisdictional litigation and international arbitration Corporate and Commercial Our corporate and commercial team includes lawyers fluent in Arabic who advise clients from all the key global financial markets including the Middle East, India, China, Europe and the US. Our local team is supported by our wider international corporate team. Comprising more than 230 lawyers in 11 jurisdictions across Europe and Asia Pacific, the team is consistently recognised as a leader in corporate finance, private equity and M&A. Across our Global Sectors, we advise on complex cross-border and domestic mergers and acquisitions, including private investments, joint ventures, public to private acquisitions, corporate reorganisations, equity investments in infrastructure secondary markets, block interest and Exploration & Production asset acquisitions and licence transfers. In each case, our lawyers leverage the team s sector experience to frame their commercial advice. They also rely on the trusted advice of specialists in other disciplines, such as tax, regulation, anti-trust, pensions and employment. Dispute Resolution Our dispute resolution lawyers are experienced in every established form of dispute resolution, including domestic litigation, cross-border litigation, international commercial arbitration, mediation and adjudication. Our skilled team of litigators advise on a full range of French and multi-jurisdictional commercial disputes, and on enforcement and recognition of foreign judgements and arbitration awards. Widely praised for their pragmatic, solutions-driven advice, our lawyers have been involved in some of the largest and most complex disputes in the Middle East, systematically negotiating the best outcomes for our clients.. Insurance & Regulation The Middle East insurance sector is growing significantly alongside major hydrocarbon, energy and infrastructure projects and with the increasing need to provide insurance solutions for the growing populations. In Qatar, we are able to advise foreign and local insurers and reinsurers on strategy and delivery of product solutions for the market as well as policy documentation and terms of business appropriate for the local market. We are able to advise on issues associated with: Distribution projects Reinsurance Claims We also provide transactional legal support and advice on the application of rules and regulations of the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority and the QFCA. In addition, we are able to provide the same in relation to other GCC states and associated regional legal and regulatory environments, as well as offer health checks for managing risk and ensuring compliance. 05

6 06 Private Wealth Our private wealth team provides the essential services our high-net worth clients require to protect, spend and pass on their wealth, from estate planning and real estate to matrimonial and private banking. Our discreet approach, and our focus on providing solutions which are tailored to individual requirements and delivered to the highest standard of service, have allowed us to build a client list which includes royalty, landed estates, high net worth individuals, trustees, banks and charities. Thanks to our close relationship with a number of expert intermediaries, we can also help our clients find the most appropriate professionals to assist, whether they be real estate professionals, wealth managers, private banks, investment bankers, asset management operators, trust companies, accountant and financial advisers. Tax The global tax environment is becoming ever more challenging for businesses, and the Middle East is no longer sheltered from international tax changes. Local taxes are being reformed, and VAT is expected as early as Qatar already imposes taxes on international businesses, with different tax regimes applying in the Qatar Financial Centre and the Science and Technology Park. Pinsent Masons is well placed in Qatar to advise on both inbound investment, including the opportunities to take advantage of the local financial centre. With its international network of offices and associated firms it can guide local Qatari investors through the tax and commercial risks of investing outside of the region as well as provide help in managing tax disputes. Technology, Media and Telecoms Our TMT team in Qatar advise on all technology, media and telecoms matters, providing international insights into complex commercial and regulatory environments. We advise on technology transactions including: on the entire technology, procurement & outsourcing matrix for customers, suppliers, (including private companies and governmental bodies), including tendering, structuring, negotiation and transition management, renegotiation and dispute management and exit development, licensing, support and maintenance, outsourcing and system integration agreements; agile and flexible IT solutions including cloud solutions, mobile payment platforms and machine-to-machine solutions mobile content/applications, protection of IP and monetising content e-commerce technologies in regulated industries including financial services, media, travel and tourism. We advise on Data Protection/Cyber security including: data & privacy regulation and assist major multinational companies to manage legal, regulatory and operational risks, including new regulations, multi jurisdictional frameworks, data breaches, data disclosures and compliance programs cyber security laws, legal interception and encryption technologies relevant to transactional services and pre-litigation activities.

7 Pinsent Masons In Qatar Global reach We are organised and resourced so that wherever our clients commercial demands take them, we have the footprint and expertise to work with them. We deliver a strong local presence from our global network of offices with an excellent understanding of the market. We have a strong preferred law firms network when local legal advice is required. Europe Our firm s origins in Europe date back to 1769, giving us an in-depth local knowledge and understanding of the markets. We offer the full range of services you would expect from an international law firm in our 14 European locations. Asia Pacific Asia Pacific has been a focus of the firm s international strategy for more than 30 years, beginning with the opening of our Hong Kong office in Our 6 locations currently consist of Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and Melbourne. We will be opening in Perth in Middle East From our offices in UAE and Qatar, as well as alongside our associated law firm Alsabhan & Alajaji in Saudi Arabia, we have supported the wider Middle East region for over 30 years. We have an alliance network with local law firms ensuring we have the local knowledge and expertise to support client working across the entire region. Africa Our African experience spans more than 40 countries over 30 years. In 2017 we opened an office in South Africa. We have acted on numerous projects across Africa including construction, infrastructure, energy, oil & gas and mining projects. In recent years, we have advised clients in countries including Nigeria, Botswana, South Africa, Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Tanzania and DR Congo. Americas We have a long-term commitment to the Americas, with dedicated teams of lawyers who are experienced in supporting international clients on working throughout the USA, Canada and South America. Our deep working relationships with local law firms and trusted advisers enable us to act as a commercial partner. 07

8 This note does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be taken before acting on any of the topics covered. Pinsent Masons LLP QFC Branch Licenced by the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (licence number 154). Pinsent Masons LLP is a limited liability partnership, registered in England and Wales (registered number: OC333653) authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the appropriate jurisdictions in which it operates. The word partner, used in relation to the LLP, refers to a member or an employee or consultant of the LLP, or any firm or equivalent standing. A list of the members of the LLP, and of those non-members who are designated as partners, is available for inspection at our registered office: 30 Crown Place, London, EC2A 4ES, United Kingdom. Pinsent Masons For a full list of the jurisdictions where we operate, see