Iraq

Basrah Obelisk Law Firm was pleased to participate in the 14th Edition of the ICC MENA Conference on International Arbitration, held in the UAE, a premier regional platform bringing together arbitration practitioners, experts, and institutions from around the world. The firm was represented by Dr. Buraq al-Hamdy, Managing Partner of Basrah Obelisk Law Firm, along with a team of our lawyers: Mr. Mushtat Al Mushtat, Mr. Ammar Mahdi Hachem, Mr. Wadah Hamed and Mr. Azzam Mohammad Naama, reflecting our ongoing commitment to excellence in international arbitration and professional development. In addition to attending the conference, our team participated in the ICC Institute of World Business Law Advanced Training on Complex Arbitrations: Focus on Procedural Issues, held on January 26, 2026 prior to the conference. This specialized training provided our lawyers with deeper insights into complex procedural matters in international arbitration, further enhancing our firm’s expertise and ability to provide cutting-edge legal services in the MENA region and beyond. The conference featured high-level panel discussions addressing key challenges shaping arbitration in the MENA region and beyond. The second panel, with Nayla Sleiman Al-Obeidli, Fatima Balfaqeeh, Niyati Gandhi, and Roland Ziade, examined the evolving investment landscape in MENA, focusing on risk allocation between states, SOEs, and investors amid changing regulatory and geopolitical conditions. Another panel, comprising Joseph Chedrawe KC, Alain Farhad, Dietmar W. Prager, Zineb Ramid, and Nadine Debbas Achkar, explored pricing volatility and risk allocation in commercial contracts, emphasizing the role of contractual precision and governing law in dispute prevention. The conference concluded with a live mock session of the ICC Court, led by ICC Court President, Claudia Salomon, alongside ICC Court members and counsel, offering practical insight into cost allocation and award scrutiny in international arbitration. Basrah Obelisk Law Firm’s participation underscores the firm’s dedication to strengthening its arbitration practice, expanding regional and international networks, and contributing to the advancement of dispute resolution standards across the MENA region.

Under the leadership of Dr. Buraq Al-Hamdy, Basrah Obelisk Law Firm proudly participated in the Iraq Arbitration Week 2025, held for its second edition in Baghdad between November 29 and December 2, 2025.   This year’s edition gathered leading international experts, government representatives, and arbitration practitioners to discuss best practices in dispute resolution and enhance Iraq’s arbitration ecosystem.   The firm’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing legal excellence, strengthening arbitration culture in Iraq, and contributing to the national and international dialogue on modern dispute settlement mechanisms.   At Basrah Obelisk Law Firm, we remain dedicated to supporting the growth of arbitration in Iraq, fostering a more efficient and trusted environment for resolving commercial disputes and empowering legal institutions to align with global standards.