One of the leading local firms on the Qatari market, Hassan Al Khater Law Office was named Qatari Law Firm of the Year at the annual IFLR Middle East Awards, for the second time in four years, in October 2010. Market feedback supports the firm's accolade, with it receiving positive affirmation from peers....
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One of the leading local firms on the Qatari market, Hassan Al Khater Law Office was named Qatari Law Firm of the Year at the annual IFLR Middle East Awards, for the second time in four years, in October 2010. Market feedback supports the firm's accolade, with it receiving positive affirmation from peers. "It's one of the firms that has been here a long time and a lot of foreign law firms refer to when they need core local work doing," says one. Another agrees: "They are one of the preeminent firms in Qatar."
Despite its history and solid reputation, however, some competitors feel the firm, like most local offerings, has suffered with the increase in competition for mandates from international practices launching in Qatar. Although it has certainly not been the firm's most active 12 months it secured roles in two large transactions with partner John Whattnal leading the team on both deals. The most recent deal saw the firm take a role in the first sukuk (Islamic bond) issued by a Qatari financial institution. Qatar International Bank's debut offering, which was oversubscribed by $6 billion, raised it $750 million. The firm acted for the issue managers, HSBC, Credit Suisse and QInvest, of the transaction, which closed in October 2010.
More recently, the firm advised a banking consortium, which will provide the $1 billion financing for developer Northgate Company,to build Qatar's biggest shopping centre. The deal reached financial close in December 2010.
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