Bakr & Odeh Advocates & Legal Consultants

Managing Partner: Firas Ibrahim Bakr
Senior Partner: Aiman Yahya Odeh
Number of partners: 2
Number of lawyers: 12
Languages: Arabic, English

Firm Overview:
Bakr & Odeh is among the oldest law firms in Jordan, having been established in 1952. The firm is a full service Jordanian law firm headquartered in Amman. The firm has two partners, four senior associates and employs eight attorneys. The firm’s dedicated group attorneys is one of the most respected and experienced in Jordan.

Main Areas of Practice:
The work undertaken by the firm is diverse, covering all aspects of corporate and commercial law, including banking, project finance, project development, construction, securities, insurance, telecommunications, aviation, concessions in addition to investment disputes, environmental, regulatory, labour, administrative, and constitutional matters. Litigation and arbitration feature heavily within the firm’s repertoire of unique expertise.

Dispute Resolution:
Examples of the firm’s recent and ongoing dispute resolution work include:
■ Representing Sheikh Omar bin Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi against the Sultanate of Oman in a multimillion dollar investment arbitration under the Agreement on Promotion, Protection and Guarantee of Investments among Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules 2010
■ Representing the Government of Jordan in ICSID Annulment Proceedings (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/38)
■ Representing TRASTA Energy Limited against the State of Libya in a multi- million-dollar investment arbitration under the Agreement on Promotion, Protection and Guarantee of Investments among Member States of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference
■ Representing Libyan Emirates Oil Refinery Company (United Arab Emirates) against National Oil Corporation (State of Libya); ICC Case No. 24408/AYZ
■ Representing TRASTA Energy Limited (United Arab Emirates) against National Oil Corporation (State of Libya); ICC Case No. 24722/AYZ
■ Representing Dead Sea Resorts Company (DSR) in a major construction arbitration regarding the Hilton Dead Sea Resort and Spa, Jordan
■ Representing Dubai Construction Company (DCC) in a major construction arbitration regarding the W Amman Hotel & Tower Project
■ Advising Arab Potash Company on a dispute with an EPC Contractor pertaining to a power generation project
■ Representing Grand Hyatt Amman and the owning company against claims brought by the victims of the terrorist bombing of the hotel
■ Representing Arab Potash Company in major litigation involving claims arising from a health insurance policy

Power Sector:
■ The firm is advising the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) and NEPCO on an Implementation Agreement for the development and operation of a 470 MW Oil Shale Power Plant (the ‘Facility’), together with associated facilities including an oil shale mine, and for the supply of electric capacity and net energy output from this Facility to the National Grid
■ The firm was a member of a consortium consisting of Ernst & Young and SKM that advised the Government of Jordan (GOJ) on the appropriate alternatives available for the future of Jordan Electric Power Company’s (JEPCO) business following the expiry of Concession Agreement between GOJ and JEPCO with regard to the distribution of electricity within the Concession Area. The firm’s involvement included undertaking a substantive legal review of the Concession; preparing a detailed analysis of the Treasury Rights and Shareholders’ Rights following the expiry of the Concession; and drafting a Temporary Distribution License for JEPCO under the Electricity Act
■ The firm also rendered advice on the Settlement Agreement between GOJ and JEPCO and has also advised on the terms and conditions of the long term license that was granted to JEPCO by the Energy & Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC)
■ The firm advised Lafarge Jordan Cement (LJC) on the purchase of natural gas from Jordanian Egyptian Fajr Company (JEF) under a long-term Gas Sales Agreement. The firm has also advised LJC on: land law, environmental law and environmental liability exposure, and Environment Impact Assessment studies regarding the use of coal and pet coke
■ The firm also advised on the development of a wind plant in Al Shoback, Jordan

Corporate Finance:
Advised International Finance Corporation (IFC) on the structure of a transaction pertaining to IFC’s investment in one of the leading private companies in the education sector in Jordan. The work included, reviewing and commenting on the Transaction Documents, including Subscription Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and the Put Option Agreement.

Corporate/M&A:
■ Advised a consortium led by Arab Bank’s Chairman, Mr. Sabih al Masri, in acquiring a 20% stake in Arab Bank Group from Oger Middle East Holdings
■ Advised Lafarge Jordan Cement on the acquisition of a Ready-Mix Group and restructuring of Target companies. The work included, undertaking a substantive legal due diligence review on the target companies, advising on the legal and regulatory framework as well as associated legislation affecting the acquisition, advising on the structure of the Transaction; drafting the Share Purchase Agreements and the Shareholders’ Agreements; and advising on the restructuring and the merger of the Target companies

Clients:
Arab Potash Company, Arab Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Central Bank of Jordan, Islamic Development Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Kuwait Finance House, Safwa Islamic Bank, Philip Morris Jordan, Cementra – Jordan, Arab Insurance Group (B.S.C), Jordan Insurance Company, Grand Hyatt Amman, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, Emirates Tourism Investment Company, AYLA Oasis Development Company, and Arab Fertilizers and Chemicals Co Ltd, ProgressSoft Corpora- tion, Globitel Co. Ltd., National Integrated Industrial Complex (a subsidiary of National Holding Abu Dhabi), DAMAS and ART.

Contacts:
Senior Partner: Aiman Yahya Odeh
Email: [email protected]

Managing Partner: Firas Ibrahim Bakr
Email: [email protected]