By Ruth Green www.thelawyer.com
Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) has launched its inaugural legal panel with the appointment of seven law firms.
Allen & Overy, Gulf-based Al Tamimi, Clifford Chance, K&L Gates, SNR Denton, Mubarak Al Sulaiti and White & Case have all won spots on Qatar Rail’s first panel following a competitive tender process. Fifteen law firms pitched for the panel, which is designed to provide and maintain legal support for Qatar Rail and its future railway and metro projects.
The seven firms will be appointed on the panel for a two-year term. The Lawyer first reported Qatar Railways’ plans to establish a legal panel in December 2011 following a flood of anticipated new projects and an uptick in infrastructure work in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup being held in the Arab state in 2022 (12 December 2011). Qatar Rail is responsible for the procurement and delivery of the Doha Metro Project, consisting of four lines connecting greater Doha, including sports venues, and major centres of commercial and residential value.
Commenting on the panel appointments, Qatar Rail acting general counsel Rashid Al Saad, said: “We’re delighted to have commissioned firms with efficacious, trustworthy legal expertise, as well as strong ties to the construction and transportation industries. We placed great emphasis on delegating firms who share Qatar Rail’s genuine commitment to facilitating the prosperity of Qatar. More info
