AMJ is a globally-ranked, independent law firm with world class capability established in Oman for over 40 years. We combine a distinctive partner-led, proactive and pragmatic approach with high calibre legal expertise to help clients to address their toughest legal challenges and to achieve their goals. At AMJ, we never lose sight of the fact that our clients are our business and our philosophy of putting clients first guides us in everything we do.
Evolution
The firm’s origins can be traced back to 1979. UK barrister Mansoor Jamal Malik took over the firm in 1986 and gradually expanded it from a boutique dispute resolution practice into a premier, full-service, business law firm. In 2004, the firm underwent a successful merger with the legal office of eminent Omani jurist, former Supreme Court judge and vice-president of Oman’s State Council, Dr. Said Al Busaidy.
Today, the seven-partner practice is the largest law firm in Oman. Its 33-strong legal team is divided into eight specialist teams comprising experienced UK, Canadian and Commonwealth-qualified solicitors and barristers, Arab law experts and Omani advocates. They form the strongest and most diverse in-country legal team in Oman and include many of Oman’s foremost legal practitioners ranked as leaders in their respective fields.
Recognition
The firm and its lawyers have garnered strong market recognition in recent years with consistent top tier/band rankings for both its corporate/commercial and dispute resolution practices in all the major, global legal directories.
Our services
We provide first-class, integrated legal advice and services to financial institutions, corporates, government and state-owned enterprises on a range of cross-border and domestic transactions, laws and regulatory frameworks, litigation, arbitration, and institutional and ad hoc proceedings. Our reputation as the firm that gets the job done is built on our perseverance in helping clients to address their toughest legal challenges. We pride ourselves on delivering business-minded, cost-effective advice and counsel aimed at getting the right result for our clients. We understand that clients may need strategic and pragmatic advice which goes beyond the strict letter of the law. We believe that this solution- oriented ethos distinguishes our practice from international competitors in the market and is the reason for the firm’s loyal client following among some of the most influential businesses and institutions in Oman.
Value
Clients value our blend of Oman-specific counsel and international knowledge, standards and support. Our lawyers combine multi-jurisdictional expertise with in-depth knowledge of Oman’s regulatory, financial and business environment. The firm’s role as trusted adviser to government and regulatory authorities coupled with a substantial Arabic language capability ensure that our lawyers enjoy a close relationship with key institutions. These are invaluable assets for clients seeking to identify and iron out any complexity or uncertainty that may impact their business or transactions.
Partner-led teams
Our lawyers work closely in small teams led by partners. This ensures we maintain consistently high standards combined with the approachability and camaraderie that contribute greatly to our success. Although each team has a specialist focus, our collaborative structure ensures that clients can draw on the overall expertise of the firm to protect their legal and commercial interests and mitigate their risks at all times.
Industry knowledge
Our lawyers have experience of advising across the full spectrum of business and industry sectors. These include power and water, infrastructure, oil and gas, mining, industry and manufacturing, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, banking and finance, transport, marine, ports, shipping, media and telecommunications, insurance, tax and insolvency. Over the past 40 years they have been instrumental in shaping key sectors through their involvement in ground-breaking deals and legal developments. Most recently, the firm’s expertise has been deployed in advising the government of Oman on the restructuring of key sectors including power supply and transmission, aviation and logistics, on the pre-privatisation corporatisation of state-owned enterprises, public private partnerships, as well as innovative financing structures involving hybrid conventional-Shariah-compliant, and debt-equity packages for projects and real estate development.
International dimension
As cross-border transactions become routine, clients value the extensive multi-jurisdictional expertise our in-house team and consultants bring to the table. We also enjoy longstanding strategic alliances with many of the world’s leading international law firms. We have enhanced our global reach through membership of premier global law networks. Through these gateways, clients are able to access high-quality, competitively-priced legal services wherever in the world they transact business, set up projects or address a dispute.
Getting the job done
Whether you are a foreign investor setting up business in Oman or an Oman-based business entering into a contract, planning to expand, restructure, or resolve a dispute, we can help you with expert advice and strategic counsel. No matter how complex or contentious the undertaking, we persevere until the job is done. For further information, advice or to arrange a meeting, contact an individual lawyer, or send us a general enquiry.
Recent Highlights
Recent assignments (deals and other client work)
- OQ SAOCs global medium term notes (GMTN) programme valued at USD 2 billion with a first issuance under the programme, valued at USD 750 million, in the international debt capital markets.
- Oman Telecommunications Company SAOG’s sale of its passive infrastructure tower assets for a sale price of US$ 575 million to UK-based Helios Tower Plc., a leading infrastructure company listed on the London Stock Exchange, via a locally established SPV (“Helios SPV”).
- The reorganization of Muscat Securities Market (MSM) and the transfer of its operations and activities pursuant to Royal Decree to a newly established Muscat Bourse Company SAOC under the ownership of the Oman Investment Authority.
- A Government of the Sultanate of Oman-owned Electricity Holding Company SAOC (Nama Holding) divestment of its 49% shareholding in Oman Electricity Transmission Company SAOC (OETC) to State Grid International Development Ltd, China (SGID), this being a first major privatization by the Middle East’s largest non-OPEC oil producer.
- Government of the Sultanate of Oman’s establishment of a first of its kind US$2 Billion Infrastructure Fund (Rakiza Fund).
- Gulf International Holdings Pte Ltd’s, on the restructuring of Centralised Utilities Company LLC and Duqm Power Company LLC (Marafiq).
- Government of the Sultanate of Oman’s establishment of its debut Omani Rial sukuk issuance program and issuance of RO. 300 million sukuk thereunder
- Government of the Sultanate of Oman’s (represented by the Ministry of Finance) US$3bn bond offering in two tranches of six and ten years with the six-year tranche totalling US$750 million and the 10-year tranche raising US$2.25bn, respectively.
- Musandam Power Company’s conversion from a closed joint stock company into a public joint stock company and its initial public offering of 28,156,000 shares.
- Renaissance Services SAOG’s divestment of its offshore support vessel business undertaken by Topaz Energy and Marine Bermuda.
- Consortium of Marubeni Corporation, Bahwan Renewable Energy Company LLC and Oman Gas Company in respect of 100 MW Amin Solar Power Project.
- Oman National Investments Development Company S.A.O.C’s establishment of a company to own, operate and develop Oman’s first digital oilfield platform providing for innovative services to improve the efficiency of oil and gas operations.
- Ubhar Capital SAOC’s acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Gulf Baader Capital Markets SAOC from Gulf Investment Holding Co. SAOG followed by the merger between Ubhar Capital SAOC and Gulf Baader Capital Markets SAOC.