Of recent years, development in the Middle East region has highlighted the importance of the region on a global scale and the region continues to be home to a number of the worlds fastest growing economies. Clayton Utz has been there to partner with Australian based clients looking to expand their operations and implement their specialised skills in the various local markets, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Likewise, as large middle eastern corporations and government entities continue to explore the global markets for investment opportunities, our domestic operations are well placed to assist and advise on such expansion plans into the Australian market.

A sample of our experience includes

• acting for Leighton Holdings Limited on the US$434 million term debt facility provided to finance its acquisition of a 45% interest in the Al Habtoor construction business - one of the largest integrated construction and engineering companies in the Middle East.
• advising a client in the Middle East in relation to a dispute with its Australian partner over the licensing of its product for the US market.
• acting for a provider of shipping, logistics, marine and related services in the Middle East providing general employment advice.
• acted for the Australian subsidiary of an agricultural products manufacturer and distributor based in the Middle East in a proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria against its former executive employees and two competitors alleging employee misconduct and misuse of confidential information.
• advised Ensham in relation to the ICC arbitration (seat in London) against the National Coal Supply Corp of Israel which included disputes over price and termination of long-term supply agreements with the Government. The dispute involved disagreement over fixing price changes in long-term supply agreements and the requirements of good faith under Israeli and English law.
• acted for a major Israel-based manufacturer and retailer of clothing in a dispute regarding its house mark. We secured acceptance of the trade mark application and then successfully defended an opposition to the application (by a major fashion house) before the Australian Trade Marks Office. The appeal of the opposition decision to the Federal Court of Australia was resolved by agreement between the parties.