Jawad Khalaf

English Law: Keep calm and mind the precedent

In May Law Update’s edition, we examined the continued relevance of English law across MENA jurisdictions and why it remains a cornerstone of commercial transactions, dispute resolution, and cross-border deal structuring.

From the Dubai Court’s recognition of Without Prejudice communications to anti-sandbagging clauses, ESG, joint ventures, and the classification of warranties, our contributors explore how English legal concepts are being applied, interpreted, and adapted in a regional context.

With expert insight across sectors, including capital markets, corporate acquisitions, and estate planning, this issue underscores that familiarity with English law is no longer optional for businesses in MENA. It is essential.

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Eyes
On 2025

Legal Updates in
Middle East & North Africa

2025 is set to be a game-changer for the MENA region, with legal and regulatory shifts from 2024 continuing to reshape its economic landscape. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain are all implementing groundbreaking reforms in sustainable financing, investment laws, labor regulations, and dispute resolution. As the region positions itself for deeper global integration, businesses must adapt to a rapidly evolving legal environment.

Our Eyes on 2025 publication provides essential insights and practical guidance on the key legal updates shaping the year ahead—equipping you with the knowledge to stay ahead in this dynamic market.

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

Jawad Khalaf

Partner, Head of Litigation - Iraq

Biography

Jawad is a Partner and Head of the Litigation Department in Iraq and has more than 20 years of experience working in the field of civil, criminal, commercial and other cases before Iraqi courts of various degrees and types. His experience in the commercial field includes the drafting of complex multilateral contracts and agreements for various clients from local and international agencies in various sectors. His attendance at meetings and negotiations on transactions in certain areas has an impact as a prominent Iraqi lawyer.

In addition, Jawad represented local and international clients in cases of disputes before the judicial authorities in various courts of various types and degrees. As well as, before arbitration bodies, whether in the defence or prosecution, for example, in matters arising out of or related to the oil and gas business, banking services, or general services, project implementation agreements, labour contracts, supply contracts, distribution contracts, power of attorneys, joint ventures, transfer, intellectual property and arbitration.

Jawad has worked and continues to expand his work as a legal advisor to many companies and banks and representing them in claims and disputes related to large sums of money.

Recent Experience

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.
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.
Represent a foreigner bank which is one of the largest international banks in a lawsuit for executing an arbitration decision issued by one of the arbitration chambers, including an awarded amount of 25 million dollars, my role was to assist with the procedures of the court to execute the arbitration decision, as well as seizing of the debtor’s money that is inside Iraq.
Participate as a leader of Tamimi team to advise on the license’s procedures for an Iraqi facility starting from agreement preparation and sign the final form ending by supervise the implementation phases of the agreement and provide the legal support.
Seizing a vessel in Um Qasser port in Basra, Iraq.