Qatar

Our expertise in Qatar

Fenwick Elliott LLP in alliance with Al Sulaiti Law Firm is a collaboration operating out of Qatar, with support from Fenwick Elliott’s London and Dubai offices, focusing specifically on construction and energy law matters in Qatar.

Fenwick Elliott and Al Sulaiti share the same values of wishing to achieve steady growth in specific market areas whilst maintaining a first-class, exceptional level of service.

Our aim is to work with Qatar’s leading regional and international entities involved in constructing the future icons, landmarks and major infrastructure across the country.

Our alliance allows us to provide the Qatari market with expert knowledge of local laws and procedures, as well as renowned international expertise in construction and energy law.

The combination of high-profile international construction and energy lawyers from Fenwick Elliott working alongside Al Sulaiti – one of Qatar’s most prominent and reputable firms – will offer clients access to a unique level of local and focused construction and energy law advice, to meet the increasingly complex nature of projects.

The alliance will leverage the international expertise of Fenwick Elliott and Al Sulaiti’s local expertise to deliver unparalleled value in Qatar’s construction and energy market.

Some examples of our work in Qatar include:

Major infrastructure project, Qatar

Advising one of China’s largest construction companies in ICC arbitration proceedings concerning major infrastructure works in Qatar. Delay, variations (including design changes) and local authority requirements were central issues. Heavy civils works and design/M&E works and design. Amount in dispute exceeded US$1 billion.

Expressway project, Qatar

Advising a German contractor in an arbitration under the ICC Arbitration Rules, seated in Geneva. The project related to the construction of an expressway in Qatar. The amount in dispute was approximately US$100 million. The central issue was termination, although there were a range of other issues including claims for an extension of time, quantum, variations and contra-charges. The dispute involved a number of hearings including an evidential hearing in Geneva as well as complex jurisdictional issues as the dispute was linked to proceedings at the top of the contractual chain between the client and employer which were before the local courts.

Integrated Water & Power Plant, Qatar

Providing contractual and claims advice in respect of a joint venture agreement and EPC turnkey agreement for a 900 MW oil fired steam power plant and desalination plant (880,000 cubic metres of fresh water per day). Project cost US$1.8 billion. One of the largest independent water and power projects in the world at the time. English law, bespoke adjudication and ICC arbitration. Claims circa US$300 million.

£100 million arbitration proceedings, Qatar

Acted on behalf of a joint venture contractor (in an approximately £100 million ICC arbitration proceedings concerning disputes with a Turkish Subcontractor, arising out of a complex civil engineering project in Doha, Qatar. Our role involved advising on contract interpretation, delay and disruption, loss and expense claims, termination, and New York Convention 1958 enforcement.

Integrated Water & Power Plant, Qatar

Advising an EPC contractor on legal issues arising throughout construction of an IWPP Project in Qatar, including advising on claims against consortium partner, multiple claims against Owner in relation to delays and cost overruns. Advised on contractual adjudication proceedings against Owner and on potential arbitration proceedings against owner and consortium partner. Claims circa US$30 million.