Middle East

WORLD CUP

LGBT poses challenge for Qatar World Cup sponsors

Sponsors of the Qatar World Cup tournament could face reputational risk if current laws against the LGBT community are not suspended for the event.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Saudi Arabia is flouting international law with surge in beheadings, says IBA report which highlights record rate of execution in the kingdom.

ARBITRATION

Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration launches International Fellowship Programme in partnership with CIArb

EXPANSION

Firm expands its dispute resolution offering in Qatar with new partner and team of associates.

SMART CONTRACTS

Big Four firm announces launch of EY Smart Contract Analyzer, a smart contract testing and security service for the public Ethereum blockchain.

JOINT-VENTURE

Al Otaiba & Hamdan Budebes and Banks Legal are partnering to launch a new legal practice in search of foreign investment.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Nasrin Sotoudeh, who defended Iranian women who removed their hijabs, tried in absentia.

EXPANSION

US firm Morgan Lewis prepares for March 1st Abu Dhabi opening by grabbing Squire's Middle East and Washington DC teams.

EXPANSION

Firm continues to develop Middle East practice with regional partner, eyes more dispute resolution opportunities.

GENDER

Saudi women will now be receiving divorce notice by text message, ensuring women know about marital status change.