Department profile
Pinsent Masons

Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration

Global Guide 2026 : Qatar


Pinsent Masons

Rankings

About

Provided by Pinsent Masons

The dispute resolution team at Pinsent Masons’ Qatar office is led by Pamela McDonald, who is also the firm’s global Co-Head of International Arbitration.

The team are known by their clients for their experience of infrastructure and energy disputes in Qatar and the wider GCC, their depth of knowledge of Middle Eastern laws (the team includes several Middle East qualified specialists) and their strategic approach to winning arbitrations.

The team’s clients include large foreign and local contractors and developers, who have delivered the largest and most complex infrastructure and energy projects in Qatar, including the Doha Metro, Stadia, Water, O&G, Hospitality, Residential and Leisure projects.

Our local presence in Qatar means we follow these projects closely, and it enables us to work alongside clients in-person and understand the technical complexities through engagement with teams on the ground.

As well as our specialist lawyers, our arbitration team includes:

  • Dedicated legal project managers (LPM) who monitor scope, cost, planning, risk and resource and keep the case on track.
  • In-house forensic accountants to work alongside quantum experts, to ensure our clients cases are properly reasoned and quantified.
  • E-data specialists to control and manage the documents, and disclosure.

Our ability to create teams with cognitive diversity means we see disputes from every angle, and the options and potential avenues are well considered.

Industries (11)

  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Construction & Materials
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Healthcare
  • Engineering
  • Real Estate
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation
  • Travel & Leisure
  • Utilities

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - Qatar

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Pinsent Masons is a highly regarded law firm whose Doha team possesses extensive expertise in Qatar-based disputes. Globally, the firm is well known for its comprehensive understanding of construction disputes, and its team in Qatar has acted on arbitrations stemming from a variety of major infrastructure, oil and gas, and real estate projects. It is adept at representing international clients in ICC arbitrations and is also capable of overseeing Arabic-language litigation before the Qatari courts, working alongside domestic Qatari advocates.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Pinsent Masons is very prompt and more than willing to help around the clock.

    Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration respondentGlobal
  • Pinsent Masons has a sizable team on the ground, comprising bilingual Arabic and English-speaking construction disputes lawyers.

    Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration respondentGlobal
  • Pinsent Masons has a good understanding of the local market.

    Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Pamela McDonald
    Band 1Pamela McDonald

    Pamela McDonald

    Pamela McDonald has a well-recognised presence in the Qatari arbitration landscape, and also acts as co-lead of the firm's international arbitration practice. She is known for her skilled work on ICC construction arbitrations. She also has a significant track record in disputes relating to infrastructure projects, advising clients on a domestic and international basis.

    • Pamela McDonald knows the regulations and laws in Qatar well.

      Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration respondentGlobal
    • Pamela McDonald is very active and prompt.

      Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Pinsent Masons (1)

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  • Profile image of Pamela McDonald

    Pamela McDonald

    Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration

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Members

Provided by Pinsent Masons

Pinsent Masons has rankings in the following guides

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