Bakr & Odeh Advocates & Legal Consultants

Managing Partner: Firas Ibrahim Bakr
Senior Partner: Aiman Yahya Odeh
Number of partners: 3
Number of lawyers: 12
Languages: Arabic, English

The Firm: 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. Our dedicated group of attorneys is one of the most respected and experienced in Jordan. Our senior lawyers combine local knowledge with a global outlook, making us the ideal firm to help international clients navigate the Jordanian legal landscape.

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, and concessions, in addition to investment disputes, environmental, regulatory, labour, administrative, and constitutional matters. Litigation and arbitration feature heavily within our repertoire of unique expertise.

Areas of Expertise: We are experienced in the major arbitration forums and have particular expertise in investment disputes and disputes over construction, power, oil and gas, and real estate. Our in-depth knowledge of the power, oil and gas and renewables sector has also seen us instructed on many non-contentious matters in this field. We are also known for our work in tourism and leisure, particularly in relation to major hotel projects.

Key clients: We act for some of the biggest names in the region, including 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, Arab Insurance Group (B.S.C), Jordan Insurance Company, AYLA Oasis Development Company, Grand Hyatt Amman, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, Emirates Tourism Investment Company, Arab Fertilizers and Chemicals Co Ltd, Globitel Co. Ltd., National Integrated Industrial Complex (a subsidiary of National Holding Abu Dhabi), DAMAS and ART.

Examples of work: 

Dispute Resolution: 

• 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 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 in a major construction arbitration regarding the Hilton Dead Sea Resort and Spa, Jordan
• Representing Dubai Construction Company in a major construction arbitration regarding the W Amman Hotel & Tower Project
• Representing Grand Hyatt Amman and the owning company against claims brought by the victims of the terrorist bombing of the hotel.

Power Sector: 

• 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
• Advised on the Settlement Agreement between GOJ and JEPCO and on the terms and conditions of the long-term licence that was granted to JEPCO by the Energy & Minerals Regulatory Commission
• Advised Lafarge Jordan Cement on the purchase of natural gas from Jordanian Egyptian Fajr Company under a long-term Gas Sales Agreement
• Advised on the development of a wind plant in Al Shoback, Jordan
• 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 together with associated facilities.

Corporate/M&A and Corporate Finance: 

• 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
• 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.

Contacts: 

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

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

Partner: Nart Shawash
Email: [email protected]