Behzad Law Office provides a full range of legal services. The following summaries a general view of the areas in which our firm practices. Areas of practice include:

Litigation and ADR
BLO has a large portfolio of corporate, financial, commercial, construction, administrative and criminal litigation. It represents clients directly in Qatar and through the assistance of associate attorneys, in other GCC states. BLO provides as well, upon request, Litigation Assessments and Consultations concerning the status of lawsuits already in progress. Alternative Dispute Resolution methods are professionally undertaken; BLO represents clients in arbitration lawsuits, as it serves sometimes as a mediator between conflicting parties aiming at creating common grounds to avoid costly litigation.

Commercial Law
BLO offers expertise in a broad range of commercial transactions and undertakings. BLO’s lawyers study and advise on virtually all contractual relationships including; sale, purchase and futures contracts; swaps; manufacturing, franchising and distribution agreements. In addition to the general commercial work that the firm practices in, we also offer our clients a more specialized emphasis in commercial agencies and franchising. We assist our clients by locating or providing background information on potential agents and, once the appropriate agent is found, by negotiating and drafting the agency and/or franchising agreements. More importantly, we provide our clients with advice on the ways and means of diluting the protections afforded to commercial agents by the laws of the various jurisdictions.

Corporate
BLO has a thriving corporate practice advising on general corporate issues. These range from consultation on corporate structure matters and creation of adequate business entities. In addition, BLO advises on expansion and financing; joint ventures; mergers and acquisitions; restructuring of shareholdings and the reallocation of economic interests.

The services BLO render to its clients on the formation of a business are: finding an acceptable agent/sponsor, imparting various forms of businesses; structuring the business to conform to both the client’s and the authority’s requirements; negotiating and drafting the relevant agreements; and obtaining necessary documents and licenses from the appropriate ministry, to name a few.

Banking and Finance
The firm represents a variety of local and international banks and financial institutions. It provides clients with a variety of legal services ranging from consultancy on a variety of banking and securities law and securitization issues to litigation and appearing as expert witnesses abroad. The firm represents international investment companies in structuring investment transactions with high net worth individuals and public companies. It also assists these firms in setting up foreign exchange transactions for spot and future contracts with local banks.

Taxation
A secondary aspect to our work in advising corporate clients seeking to establish businesses in the Middle East is tax ramifications. We advise our clients on the tax implications of forming the various types of companies permitted. This advice includes advising foreign nationals employed, by either local or international corporations, of the tax issues they will confront. Our work also involves assisting our clients in filing their taxes, where necessary. We advise on the best structure, given the tax ramifications and strategic considerations, for tendering for contracts in Qatar in view of double taxation treaties.

Insurance
BLO’s insurance practice advises on contentious and non-contentious matters including: facultative insurance and reinsurance coverage issues and policy interpretation; errors and omissions and professional negligence; captive insurance; insolvency and schemes of arrangement; property damage, business interruption and liability insurance; contract drafting and regulatory issues.

Intellectual Property
Intellectual property practice includes searching, filing and renewing trademarks and trade names, obtaining patents and patent registrations and preventing the unauthorized use of client’s trademarks, trade names and patents. The firm advises on issues relating to various infringements, such as counterfeit and piracy, and on the means of remedying those infringements. Additionally, we advise companies and organizations on intellectual property rights & obligation under the various multilateral agreements of WTO and WIPO.

The firm also regularly registers patents for major companies.

Real Estate and Construction
Lawyers at BLO regularly assist clients in relation to the purchase, sale and development of real estate and in the procurement of construction contracts. Expertise includes applications for building permits to financing and final leasing or sale, as well as environmental law matters related to real estate.

Entertainment and Sports
BLO’s provide legal assistance to the entertainment and sports industries. BLO constantly advises entertainment and sports entities and individuals on the laws and regulations impacting their business.

Governmental Procedures and Administrative Law
BLO serves as the link between its clients and the various Government authorities on virtually all administrative matters. BLO especially advises on and undertakes the obtainment of investment, commercial, and industrial licenses; BLO further assists the client with various ministries and local authorities aiming mainly at achieving the required task while diminishing lengthily procedures and avoiding bureaucratic obstacles.

Labor and Employment
The labor and employment group at BLO undertakes a full remit of employment work including HR advice, termination, discrimination, enforcement, work permits, executive remuneration, share-related and other incentives and benefits including pensions.

Maritime, Aviation and Transport
BLO has experts assisting clients regarding vessel purchase, sale, inspection and registration. Relevant international transportation regulations are promptly communicated to the clientele. BLO serves insurance companies and ship-owners concerning claims, collisions and adjustment of averages.

Industrial Projects
Our lawyers assist and advise developers in industrial projects. This work includes advising the client on administrative, environmental and constitutional issues, as well as dealing with various public authorities. The firm has represented clients in BOT transactions.