Jawad Khalaf

Law Update: Africa

This month we bring you a special focus on a continent that boasts the world’s largest free trade area, a diverse economic make-up and increasing political stability. The latest edition of Law Update focuses on Africa, a territory that continues to be an attractive business and investment destination.

Like the rest of the world, Africa is still re-building from the impact of COVID-19, however, there continues to be an optimistic view of the opportunities the continent presents. An example of the appetite for investment into Africa was captured in a report we commissioned, titled Legal Leaders in MENA. Our survey of legal leaders revealed a resounding desire to expand into new territories, with 81% naming Africa as their investment destination of choice.

Read the full edition

The leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Jawad Khalaf

Partner, Head of Litigation- Iraq

Biography

Jawad Khalaf is a Partner in the Litigation practice in Baghdad.

Jawad has over 20 years of experience in civil, criminal and commercial lawsuits, among others, before all Iraqi court stages and jurisdictions. Amongst his commercial experience is drafting complex, multi-party contracts and agreements for various national and international clients in diverse sectors. In addition, his personal touch of attending meetings and transactions’ negotiations in special areas highlights him as a prominent Iraqi lawyer.

Jawad has worked and continues to expand his scope as the legal advisor for many companies and banks, including representing them in claims and disputes in connection with considerable amounts of money, among which were the Commercial Bank of Iraq, the Trade Bank of Iraq, Gulf Commercial Bank, Modern Paint Industries Company (which is a joint-stock company), and Ashur International Bank.

Recent Experience

Acting in special nature lawsuits for prestigious foreign European companies regarding amounts of approximately 3 billion USD.
Engaged as Counsel in a weapons contract dispute between the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and an Italian firm, valued at USD 1.6 billion.
Advised on various medical disputes, including on an agreement to supply medicines and medical equipment between a Swiss firm and the Iraqi Ministry of Health/KIMADIA; a Lebanese firm and the Iraqi Ministry of Health/KIMADIA; and an Indonesian firm and the Iraqi Ministry of Health/KIMADIA.
Seizing a vessel in Um Qasser port in Basra, Iraq.
Advising on litigation between a Japanese construction and mining equipment firm and an Iraqi well-known accountancy firm.
Working with a specialized team to prepare a study in connection with merging Iraqi banks in accordance with the Iraqi laws and regulations.
Negotiated and advised on converting companies in Iraq from limited to joint-stock and listing them as a publicly traded shares’ in the Iraqi Stock Exchange. Additionally, setting up local banks at which foreign banks are shareholders.
Advised on the structuring and privatization of an Iraqi ministry’s public companies and demonstrating the legal forms from which the companies can operate as investment and listed companies.
Acting for foreign banks and companies in sensitive multi-millions lawsuits in gas and oil contracts and achieving ground-breaking results.
Experience in acting in IP matters, including trademark infringement of highly-known companies such as HITACHI, and accomplishing pioneer results from the Iraqi courts, including seizing counterfeit goods.
Representing MBC in IP cases against local infringers.
Giving legal courses to the CEOs of Iraqi companies regarding the steps and procedures to be taken by the company’s management, their legal liabilities and responsibilities as well as recommended budgeting.
Participating in several workshops in Erbil held by the United Nation’s Labour Organization, and the Social Negotiating and Work Disputes workshops. In addition, he participated in a workshop held in Erbil sponsored by the Bar Association regarding, among other subjects, legal modernization of the electronic contracts, real estate investments, international arbitration.
Assist in the acquisition of banks through drafting the relevant documentation and advise regarding relevant requirements and provide the legal advice. Among which are Bank of Baghdad, Gulf Bank, and other Iraqi banks.
Advise and assist in projects with relation to privatization of the public sector companies of the Ministry of Construction & Housing and the Ministry of Water Resources and transforming such entities into a private nature entities.
Review foreign banks’ branches banking documents and forms that are used for the purpose of rendering their services in Iraq and exercising its activities, and amend in a manner that complies with the Iraqi banking laws and regulations.