Luqman Legal Advocates and Legal Consultants

The firm: Luqman Legal Advocates & Legal Consultants was established in 2004 as the first modern law firm in Yemen. It is the exclusive member of the Employment Law Alliance, the largest network of international employment lawyers in the world. The firm was the first in Yemen to be listed in The Legal 500 and a Band 1 firm in Chambers and Partners.

Through the provision of exceptional legal consultancy, international arbitration, and litigation, the firm has become the premier choice of clients seeking international quality and professional legal services in Yemen.

Members of the firm have specialized expertise in diversified legal fields and systems, arising from qualifications obtained from recognized Eastern and Western institutions. They offer their expertise in Arabic, English, and French.

This enables the firm to best serve its clients through its local legal and cultural knowledge, in addition to its cross-border intellect with the required international legal and cultural perspectives.

The firm's mission: We do not meet clients' expectations; we beat them.

Main areas of practice

• Arbitration
• Litigation
• Banking and finance
• Construction and real estate
• Corporate and commercial
• Employment and labor
• Investment and freezone
• Intellectual property
• Maritime
• Oil and gas
• Taxation

Highlights

•  Appointed as an expert witness on Yemen law in a multi-million arbitration conducted under the rules of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC).
  
• Provided significant legal advice relating to oil and gas, and submitted expert statements in a number of industry-related arbitrations under ICSID, UNCITRAL, and ICC.
• Appointed by the IFC to advise on the drafting of a lease law for Yemen which was ratified by the Parliament.
• Provided significant advice and legal assistance to a group of international banks and finance institutions in respect of financing the first mining project for minerals in Yemen.
• Provided comprehensive advice on the acquisition of oil companies.
• Provided comprehensive legal advice and due diligence to the largest local bank in its acquisition of all the assets and liabilities of a foreign bank.
• Provided comprehensive advice and legal assistance to Dubai Ports World relating to their joint venture and concession with the Yemen Government to develop and manage Aden Port and Container Terminals.
• Provided significant legal advice to the International Finance Corporation and Norton Rose in respect of the first IPP project in Yemen.
• Provided comprehensive legal advice and due diligence to one of the largest international tobacco companies in the world in respect of their acquisition of the largest local tobacco business.
• Provided comprehensive legal advice to Zurich Insurance regarding insurance business-related legislation.
• Acted as the local counsel for the International Finance Corporation and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector in their various Islamic finance projects.
• Represented BP and Shell in all their legal requirements to accomplish their exit from Yemen and the transfer of their assets and employees to local entities.