Josias de Salles

Practice Areas

Josias de Salles

Counsel – Sharq Law Firm

Josias de Salles is a British lawyer based in Doha, ranked as an Up and Coming practitioner in International Arbitration by Chambers Global. He advises on high-value disputes and complex infrastructure transactions across the Middle East, with particular expertise under ICC, QICCA, and DIAC rules. His practice spans both contentious and non-contentious mandates, with a strong focus on construction, real estate, projects, and corporate matters.

On the disputes side, Josias regularly acts as counsel in international arbitrations seated in Doha and abroad, frequently in matters governed by Qatari law. He has represented clients in high-value proceedings before arbitral tribunals and has also acted in offshore courts. His experience covers corporate, construction, real estate, and projects disputes.

On the advisory side, Josias provides strategic support throughout the project lifecycle—from risk allocation and structuring to contract negotiation and close-out. He regularly advises on dispute avoidance and early-stage claims, including the negotiation of commercial settlements prior to formal proceedings. He has drafted and negotiated a broad range of commercial and construction agreements, including BOT frameworks, consultancy contracts, leasing arrangements, and off-plan sale structures. He frequently advises on FIDIC-based contracts, Ashghal standard forms, and bespoke institutional agreements for both public and private sector developments.

He advises a broad client base, including government entities, private developers, multinational corporates, and international law firms seeking Qatari law expertise. Known for his clarity, responsiveness, and cross-cultural fluency, Josias is valued for his ability to align legal strategy with commercial objectives in complex, multi-jurisdictional mandates.

He is ranked across the leading international directories and has been described as a “switched on lawyer” who is “known for running large cases with skill and confidence, excellent client communication, and a very able lawyer.”

Work Highlights

• Successfully acted for the Claimant in an ICC arbitration concerning a metro project against an international main contractor (dispute value: circa QAR 400 million – FIDIC Red Book).

• Representing four Respondents in a DIAC corporate arbitration seated in Cyprus concerning the voidance of a consulting contract under Qatari law (dispute value: circa USD 58 million – bespoke consultancy contract).

• Acting for the Respondent, a listed developer, in a QICCA arbitration concerning two FM contracts (dispute value: circa QAR 35 million – bespoke contracts).

• Successfully represented a major shipping company as Respondent in arbitration concerning the construction of five developments and the liquidation of a performance bond.

• Acting for the Respondent (contractor) in an ICC arbitration seated in Doha concerning the construction of a large commercial building (dispute value: circa QAR 50 million – FIDIC Red Book and bespoke collaboration agreement).

• Advised a government authority on claims and pre-litigation strategy (dispute value: QAR 100 million – Public Works Authority / Ashghal contract).

• Advised a government entity on the settlement of a large infrastructure dispute at the pre-litigation stage (dispute value: circa QAR 1 billion).

• Advised on the legal structuring of a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) project for a listed developer, overseeing the construction and operation of a residential and retail compound in Doha. Drafted and negotiated the BOT agreement, master lease, telecommunications and other commercial contracts, and led stakeholder engagement (transaction value: circa QAR 1.4 billion).

• Acted as counsel to a listed real estate developer on multiple off-plan developments in Lusail. Oversaw legal structuring and documentation, and negotiated sale and purchase agreements, MOUs, development agreements, and FIDIC White Book-based consultancy contracts. Provided strategic guidance on unit sales and led the drafting of the master agreement with the main contractor.

• Supported a government entity in assessing COVID-19-related claims under Qatari law.

• Reviewed and analysed complex business interruption claims for an insurance company, including policy interpretation of Quarantine/Closure clauses.

• Advised on negotiations concerning the termination of the exclusive agency agreement of a luxury car brand.

• Drafted and developed commercial contract templates for various companies, working closely with internal stakeholders across engineering, procurement, sales, and finance departments.

Awards