Dentons

Corporate, Government, Private Equity, M&A, Real Estate, Mergers and Acquisitions, Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy

Zaher has practiced law in the Middle East for over 17 years, including 15 years in Qatar. He was a member of the team that established Dentons Doha office in 2007. Zaher has extensive experience in corporate joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, corporate governance, public offerings, private placements and the related regulatory framework. Zaher has advised on restructuring and acquisition of multi million companies in Qatar and abroad.

In addition to his corporate expertise, Zaher is also recognised for his real estate and dispute resolution experience and in-depth knowledge of Qatar law in this area. Over the years, he has counseled both foreign investors as well as local entities (private and governmental) on a number of large-scale infrastructure projects including The Pearl, Lusail and the Qatar Integrated Railways Project.

Qatar Mining: Advised on Qatar Mining's purchase of 50% of the shares previously owned by Qatar Steel Company in Qatar Steel International Company (the representative of the Qatari Government in an Algerian Joint Venture for a Multi-Billion USD Steel Project in Algeria) . Qatar Mining became the sole shareholder in Qatar Steel International after the sale. Castlelake LP: Advising in relation to the purchase by Castlelake, L.P. of circa 25 used Airbus A330-200, Airbus A320-200 and Airbus A321-200 aircraft from Qatar Airways and subsequent lease back to Qatar Airways. Qatar International Islamic Bank Q.S.C.: Acted as Qatar local counsel (in conjunction with Dentons' Dubai office as lead counsel) in QIIB's USD 2 billion sukuk programme, which is now listed on the London Stock Exchange. This was one of the very few transactions of its kind in the Qatar market in the past couple of years. Axia Power Holdings B.V. and Total Solar International: Advising as local lenders counsel in respect of the 800MW PV Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Project (IPP) in Al Kharsaa, Qatar. Our Qatar team advised from a local law perspective on the project documentation during the bid and post-bid stages. This project is of importance to Qatar as it promotes Qatar's renewable energy strategy and is going to be its first solar power plant. The project is due to launch in time before the 2022 World Cup and is expected to meet 10% of Qatar's peak power demand. CIMIC Admin Services Pty Limited: Advising an international contractor on a major corporate restructuring for multiple entities across Qatar, U.A.E. and Australia including default events and shareholder's disputes, including court cases and representing the client in negotiation for an amicable settlement.

Arabic, English

Beirut Bar Association, 1999

Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University, 2006, LL.M. Lebanese University, 1998, LLB

"Drafting an effective arbitration agreement in Qatar," March 21, 2022 "The Cape Town Convention in Qatar – what you need to know," October 7, 2020 "Projects and Construction Review: Qatar," September 8, 2020 "Projects and Construction Review: Qatar," August 28, 2019 "Qatar Update – recent legal developments," March 5, 2018 "Qatar Strengthens Data Protection - Penal Code Amended," Dentons client alert, May 17, 2017 "Recent laws affecting GCC companies doing business in Qatar," Dentons client alert, April 27, 2017 "New electronic labour contracts – What you need to know," Dentons client alert, February 14, 2017 "Projects and Construction Review: Qatar," November 22, 2016 "Dentons advises CBQ on its US$750 million 5.375% senior guaranteed notes due 2029," May 6, 2024 "Dentons advises QIIB on its US$500 million sustainable sukuk issuance," January 26, 2024