SPECIALIST construction and energy law firm, Fenwick Elliott LLP, continues to experience high demand from clients in the construction and energy sectors around the Gulf.

Fenwick Elliott is the largest specialist construction and energy law firm in the UK. The firm’s international client base spans the building, engineering and energy sectors. “The firm acts for some of the largest oil, gas, renewable energy and power companies in the world,” says partner, Nicholas Gould.

“Fenwick Elliott’s international practice began in the early 1990s with focus on international arbitration particularly in Asia and the Middle East. Over time the international practice expanded significantly and the firm had advised on projects in over 50 countries. The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region continues to be a key market for us and we have seen steady growth in recent years in this area, with an increasing demand from clients to access a law firm specialising solely in construction and energy law,” he points out.

The firm has advised on a range of construction projects in the Middle East region, including power stations, refineries, pipelines, dams, bridges, roads, housing developments and sports stadia.

The firm’s team has also acted for some of the largest oil, gas, renewable energy and power companies in the world, in addition to steering public/private finance initiatives to successful completion.

“Fenwick Elliott’s extensive track record of advising on major energy, construction and infrastructure projects in the Middle East includes projects in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE,” Gould continues.

The firm has particular expertise dealing with clients in the oil and gas sector having advised clients on a wide range of projects – offshore and onshore, upstream and downstream including negotiating sale, purchase and operating agreements, advising on disputes relating to refineries, crude oil and natural gas pipelines, process plants, and floating production, storage and offloading vessels.

These projects include some of the world’s most important oil and gas developments such as the Kashagan field in Kazakhstan, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline project and the Shah Deniz natural gas development in the Caspian.

“Construction and energy projects are often complex, involving large sums of money and numerous stakeholders. With expertise across all sectors, the firm can offer the full range of services providing reliable, commercial and prompt legal advice to ensure the scheme hits its scheduling and financial targets,” he says.

The firm’s lawyers are experienced in dealing with the logistical and cultural challenges of coordinating between its clients’ head offices around the world and project sites in the Middle East. Its lawyers regularly meet clients and support them in procuring and executing their construction and energy projects throughout the Middle East.

Clients who work with Fenwick Elliott Middle East appreciate its approach of providing a high level of partner involvement. This means they benefit from the experience and expertise gathered by their most senior specialists over many years of top-level project work.

“Fenwick’s commercial insight means it can scale its involvement to the needs of the project. The firm adds value with lean, specifically selected teams of specialist lawyers who are equally as astute at spotting opportunities as they are at identifying and resolving problems,” Gould adds.