Algeria

IFLR1000 Reviews

Overview

Competition authority: Directorate of Investment and Company Administration

Financial regulator: Central Bank of Myanmar

IFLR1000 ranking categories for this jurisdiction:

Financial and corporate (published October) – Financial and corporate, Project development

Jurisdiction overview

As Myanmar emerged from five decades of military rule that cut it off from much of the rest of the world, the resource rich country started to open up in 2011 with a series of far-reaching political and legal reforms to achieve rule of law and provide more legal certainty for its people and investors.

Previously known as Burma, the country has seen US and EU sanctions eased and increasing interest from the international business community. It appears to be looking forward to a period of relative peace and prosperity. 

Some big international law firms have committed to Myanmar by opening an office in Yangon, including Allen & Overy in 2013 and Baker & McKenzie in 2014. This year, Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) opened its doors in the country by hiring Baker & McKenzie’s former managing partner Chris Hughes to lead its newly opened office in Yangon. 

Domestic law firms have also sought out new opportunities, with NK Legal Myanmar integrating into the wider regional network of Singapore firm Rajah & Tann, while Myanmar Legal Service affiliated itself with Thai firm Chandler & Thong-Ek Law.

But Myanmar’s local legal sector is underdeveloped and there is no national bar association for legal practitioners in the country. With the assistance of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), Myanmar’s lawyers ran an election in September this year for their first ever independent national professional organisation to represent lawyers.

Once known for its poor human rights record, media censorship and tyranny under military rule, the regime has been left with many old laws that were set up to give leaders’ extensive powers to target political opposition and ethnic insurgents. 

Candy Chan - Journalist - Asia-Pacific

Financial and corporate
Matouk Bassiouny

Matouk Bassiouny association with SH-Avocats (“MB-SH”) Algeria is a flourishing Algerian law firm headquartered since 2017 in Algiers offering an integrated and efficient service combining a true on-the-ground knowledge with international standards. 

The Algerian team of lawyers works with other offices in the MENA region (Egypt, Sudan, and the U.A.E.) which allows them to work with more than 200 lawyers regionally. 

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm has a focus in Corporate and M&A, finance and projects, capital markets and dispute resolution within the automotive, energy, hospitality, retail, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. 

 

Key clients 

Key clients of the firm include Uber, KFC, Hyundai, Philip Morris, GE Healthcare, Marriott, Renault, Pfizer, Fujitsu and Kellog's. 

 

Research period review:32nd edition (2022/2023) 

During the research period the firm was active in financial and corporate matters. 

In financial and corporatemarkets, the firm worked on acquisitions, joint ventures and restructuring deals for clients connected with automotive, energy, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. 

 

Deal highlights:32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Hyundai €728 million acquisition of 30% controlling stake in DosanInfracore 

 

 

ADNA

ADNA is a new multi-jurisdictional law firm created in 2021 and based on the merger of four firms located in Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea and Morocco. In Morocco the previous firm was called Bourabiat Associes. ADNA has one office in Algiers.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a strong practice in both financial and corporate and project development deals achieving top tier status in Algeria for both.

 

Key clients

In financial and corporate key clients of the firm include Jamioom Pharmaceuticals, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, Oracle, Veon, Geodis, Fruital, BNP Paribas and OPIC.

In project development, key clients include Occidental Petroleum Corporation, the Carlyle Group, CVC Capital Partners and the China Investment Corporation, Air Products, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Neptune Energy.

Bennani & Associés

Bennani & Associes is a law firm which was established in Algeria in 2014. The firm has offices in Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Morocco and Tunisia.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a focus on financial and corporate deals.

 

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Google, Daimler, Hyundai, Uber, Phillips, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Stripe, Caterpillar and BP.

 

Client Feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)

Project development

"Very professional and always available."

Gide Loyrette Nouel

Gide Loyrette Nouel is the Algerian office of the international law firm of the same name. The firm has been active in the country since 2003. The Algeria office is led by Samy Laghouati and is based in Algiers. 

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is strong in financial and corporate and in project development, achieving top-tier status in Morocco for both. 

 

Key clients

The firm’s key clients include Volkswagen, Neptune Energy, Total, Daewoo E&C, Sanofi, Société Générale, Halliburton, BNP Paribas and SEAF. 

LPA Law

LPA Law is a law firm established in Algeria in 2007. The firm has one office in Algiers.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is active in both the financial and corporate and project development practice areas.

 

Client Feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)

Project development

"The law firm fully masters and controls local regulation in terms of investment and finance regulation and gives the right and strong support with full and complete visibility about risk."

 

Project development: Energy

"LPA Law is responsive and provides high-quality legal advice. LPA Law has a diverse area of expertise, especially in the oil and gas sector."