Rashid Al Saad

Practice Areas

Founder and Senior Partner – Sharq Law Firm

Admitted: Qatar (Court of Cassation)

Dispute Resolution:

Rashid Al Saad is one of Qatar’s leading dispute resolution lawyers, known for his role in some of the country’s most complex and high-value contentious matters. A Qatari-qualified advocate with full rights of audience before the Court of Cassation, he heads Sharq Law Firm’s market-leading disputes practice, which is regularly instructed on strategic litigation and international arbitration across the construction, banking, regulatory, and white-collar crime sectors.

His experience spans cross-border proceedings under DIAC, ICC, and QICCA Rules, with notable mandates including advising an international body on legislative reform for the 2022 World Cup, serving as an independent Qatari law expert in ICC arbitration seated in London, and leading DIAC proceedings seated in Paris involving multi-million-riyal claims. Domestically, he has acted in precedent-setting litigation before all levels of the Qatari courts, including on behalf of the country’s largest financial institutions.

Mr Al Saad also maintains a thriving white-collar crime practice. He is particularly sought after in disputes requiring high-level coordination across legal, regulatory, and reputational dimensions, and is known for his tactical judgement and commercial acuity. He is ranked in Chambers Global and recognised as a Leading Individual by Legal 500 EMEA (2025), and he features in the Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist – Middle East (2023). Peers and clients frequently highlight his strategic insight, commercial judgement, and influential role within the Qatari legal community.

Corporate / Commercial:

Mr Al Saad also leads a highly regarded corporate and commercial practice, advising sovereigns, state-owned entities, financial institutions, and family-owned groups on complex transactional and regulatory mandates. Drawing on senior in-house experience at Qatari Diar and Qatar Railways Company, he is uniquely positioned to advise on matters at the intersection of public policy, infrastructure, and commercial strategy.

Recent mandates include advising a government entity on a USD 12 billion sovereign bond issuance; acting for a government authority on QAR 6.7 billion in asset transfers; and advising on the restructuring of a QAR 1.8 billion real estate fund. He has also advised on a QAR 586 million rights issue for a listed entity and acted as lead counsel on the termination of a national health insurance scheme valued above QAR 1 billion.

Mr Al Saad is widely recognised for combining legal clarity with strategic foresight. As the Founder of Sharq Law Firm, he has built a values-driven institution defined by meritocracy, diversity, and innovation. A vocal advocate of flexible working, digital transformation, and sustainable legal practice, his leadership has positioned Sharq among the most progressive law firms in the region.

He is ranked in Chambers Global (2024) and recognised as a Leading Individual by Legal 500 (2025) for Corporate, Commercial & M&A. He also features in the Legal 500 M&A Powerlist – Middle East (2024).

Career

Mr Al Saad began his career in the public sector, serving as General Counsel at Qatari Diar and subsequently at Qatar Railways Company, where he advised on major infrastructure and real estate projects of strategic national importance. In these roles, he led cross-border negotiations, developed regulatory and compliance frameworks, and advised on commercial agreements involving both domestic and international counterparties.

In 2014, he founded Sharq Law Firm with a vision to create a Qatari-led practice of international calibre—technically outstanding, commercially responsive, and culturally attuned. Under his leadership, the firm has become a trusted adviser to sovereign bodies, ministries, regulators, and global corporates. He remains closely involved in the firm’s strategic direction and is regularly consulted on legal reform, institutional governance, and policy development.

Mr Al Saad also plays an active role in Qatar’s legal community through his longstanding membership of the Qatari Bar Admission Committee. Widely respected for his discretion, judgement, and professional integrity, he is a prominent voice in national discussions on legal development and professional ethics.

Professional Memberships

• Member, Qatari Bar Admission Committee

• Member, International Bar Association (IBA)

• Member, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

Work Highlights

• Advised the State of Qatar, acting through the Ministry of Finance, on the issuance of USD 12 billion in sovereign bonds, including review and drafting of the prospectus, due diligence, and associated transaction documents.

• Acted as Qatari counsel in connection with a USD 1 billion sukuk issuance, advising the issuer and guarantor on Islamic structuring, documentation, and regulatory compliance.

• Acted as lead legal adviser on a USD 800 million syndicated loan facility for a major real estate group, advising on facility terms, security structure, and local law risk allocation.

• Successfully represented a blue-chip technology company in a competition law dispute before the Qatari courts, securing the reversal of a regulatory decision that sought to block a high-profile acquisition.

• Representing four respondents in a DIAC arbitration seated in Cyprus, concerning the voidance of a consulting contract under Qatari law; the matter involves claims of approximately USD 58 million.

• Represented multiple financial institutions in high-value commercial disputes, including precedent-setting litigation with individual claims exceeding QAR 2 billion.

• Advised a government entity on the legislative framework and legal implementation of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 requirements, including compatibility with national law and regulatory infrastructure.

• Acting for a semi-government entity in multiple construction and operational disputes valued in excess of QAR 1.4 billion, including claims arising from major infrastructure projects.

• Advised a Qatari public shareholding company on its establishment and conversion, including constitutional documentation, governance structuring, and QFMA prospectus compliance (capital value: QAR 1 billion).

• Represented a prominent real estate developer in a QICCA arbitration concerning facilities management contracts and associated variation and performance claims.

• Represented the families of victims in the Villaggio fire tragedy in landmark civil litigation involving complex liability issues and total claims exceeding QAR 280 million.

Languages Spoken

Arabic, English

Education

Awards