Simmons into Qatar

Simmons & Simmons is to open an office in Doha, Qatar in September, the first City firm to move in there on its own, rather than in association with a local practice.

Richards Butler, Trowers & Hamlins and Eversheds have all formed associations in the Gulf state, Eversheds as recently as February.

Real estate and construction partner Charles Pollock will head the office, focusing on energy, projects, corporate and construction.

It will be the 19th in Simmons' international network; the firm already has an office in Abu Dhabi.

Under legislation passed last year, the Qatari government may grant licences to foreign law firms to open full-service offices, rather than form associations with local practices.

Simmons said it has been active in Qatar for some time and, in particular, has built close relations with the Qatari government, advising on corporate, financial markets, property and litigation matters for governmental bodies.

Senior partner Janet Gaymer said this work has up until now been serviced largely by the firm's London office.

She said the decision to open an office was aimed at better servicing the existing levels of work and developing relationships within Qatar.

Qatar has vast natural gas deposits with proven natural gas reserves of more than seven trillion cubic metres, the third largest reserves in the world.

Its energy sector comprises 30% of Qatar's gross domestic product and 80% of exports.