The Lawyer newspaper in London reports that magic circle firms Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy, Gulf firm Al Tamimi, Pittsburgh’s K&L Gates, Anglo-US player SNR Denton, New York’s White & Case and local firm Mubarak Al Sulaiti have all won spots on Qatar Railways Company’s first panel.

Metro system

A total of 15 firms vied for positions on the panel, which will provide and maintain legal support for the transport company’s projects, which include a $35 billion metro system for the capital, Doha, and wider rail plans. Commenting on the appointments, the company’s acting general counsel Rashid Al Saad said: ‘We’re delighted to have commissioned firms with 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.
‘We looked for firms that possessed a wealth of Gulf Co-operation Council knowledge, who could also provide essential international experience to projects that will facilitate the improvement of Qatar’s transportation infrastructure throughout future generations.’