The deal, announced last week, will continue indefinitely, according to Abdulaziz AlGasim managing partner Monaji Zamakhchary.

Independent goals

The 30-lawyer Saudi firm’s five-year deal with A&O expired in June, but it was understood that the two firms were in talks to continue the relationship, according to The Lawyer newspaper in London.
Mr Zamakhchary told the publication: ‘We have high regards for Allen & Overy, but came to the understanding that it would be best to pursue our strategic goals independently. We’ve known about Linklaters for a long time, they’ve been very active in the [Saudi Arabia] market and we’re looking forward to working with them.’

Active practice

A Linklaters spokesperson commented: ‘We’ve been doing transactions in the Middle East for over 30 years and established our office in Dubai in 2005 and in Abu Dhabi last year. We’ve been very successful in developing our Saudi practice and this arrangement with Abdulaziz AlGasim Law Firm will allow us to further extend our already very active practice.’
The move adds to a growing list of international deals by Linklaters this year, following successful alliances with South Africans Webber Wentzel earlier this month and Allens Arthur Robinson in Australia in April.