Cobbetts International, a Swiss verein, is a newly-created cross-border association based in Bern that harnesses the expertise of separate law firms and multi-disciplinary partnerships, each having a close link and good working relationship with Cobbetts LLP. It enables rapid delivery of a wide range of specialist technical services adopting harmonised working practices and quality assurance to clients internationally, while preserving each member’s obligation to advise clients independently. At present, Cobbetts International has two member firms – Cobbetts LLP, with offices in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and London, and Cobbetts International Cairo "El Said, Darwish & Partners".

Cobbetts International Cairo

Cobbetts International Cairo (CIC) is a member of Cobbetts International.

This firm provides a wide range of legal services through specialised practice areas including aviation, banking and finance, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, energy, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, tourism and entertainment and training.    

The strength of Cobbetts International Cairo (CIC) is based on the local and international knowledge of their lawyers, who are familiar with Egyptian and international business laws, languages and cultures.  CIC provides a comprehensive range of legal services and solutions for national and international investors. Close cooperation with other member firms of Cobbetts International adds a unique global perspective to the practices and standards of the firm.   

CIC believes in specialisation as the key to providing high quality and focused legal services. Services are managed by partners according to their relevant expertise.  CIC's mission is total commitment with the aim of building long-term relations. In order to achieve this, each matter is handled by two partners to ensure continuous client support, achieve clients’ commercial goals and add real value to their businesses. Its vision is to provide high quality international legal and commercial advice serving CIC's clients’ interests in Egypt and around the Middle East.  

In short, their commitment to clients combines legal ability with accountability. CIC know that a firm only succeeds through the success of its clients.  

The aviation, energy, tourism and entertainment, real estate and dispute resolution practices are run by Ibrahim El Said and Dr. Mohamed Darwish. The banking and finance and mergers and acquisitions practice areas are managed by Tarek El Gazzar and Jailan Shindy. Dr. Mohamed Darwish, Tarek El Gazzar and Ibrahim El Said manage corporate and commercial. Training is managed by Jailan Shindy and Dr. Mohamed Darwish.   
 

CIC's Services  

Aviation

Egypt’s aviation sector has grown rapidly in the past decade.  The construction of new airports and the increase in tourism has led to increased numbers of national and international regular and charter flights. Aligned with that, the firm practice expanded to include sale and purchase, leasing, finance leasing, registration, de-registration and deliveries of aircraft. 

Banking and Finance

CIC has a strong banking and finance team advising banks and financial institutions on a variety of banking and finance transactions including drafting and negotiating syndicated facility agreements, revolving facility agreements and long, medium and short term facility agreements.  Services also include advice to borrowers on various aspects of facility agreements as well as debt negotiation and re-scheduling.

Corporate and Commercial

The firm provides a wide range of services in relation to local and offshore company incorporation and continued corporate compliance.  Advice on commercial transactions extends from general aspects of Egyptian commercial and civil law to negotiating and drafting specific commercial agreements including agency agreements, distribution agreements, license agreements, technology transfer agreements and joint venture agreements. The intellectual property rights practice includes trademark, copyright and patent registrations as well as e-commerce regulations and data protection. 

Dispute Resolution 

CIC represents clients in settlement negotiations, arbitration procedures as well as before all Egyptian courts including the High Constitutional Court, the Court of Cassation and the High Administrative Court.

Energy 

CIC advises a number of local and international oil and gas exploration and production companies on upstream and downstream transactional and regulatory issues.  The firm's experience ranges from advice on bidding procedures and negotiating concession agreements to advice on employment and corporate structures. Legal support is provided to all areas of the oil and gas exploration and production business in Egypt including corporate, commercial, operational, procurement and financing aspects. 

Mergers and Acquisitions

The firm's mergers and acquisition practice includes capital market transactions, negotiating and drafting sale & purchase agreements, shareholders agreements  as well as drafting full legal and financial due diligence reports. It also executes all procedural requirements for corporate mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings. 
 

Real Estate

CIC advises local and international property developers on real estate transactions including advice on bidding procedures, construction agreements, title search, title registration and foreign ownership of real estate property.

Tourism and Entertainment

The firm's tourism and entertainment sector clients include hotel owners, hotel operators, casino operators, event organizers and media clients. Full support is offered to all aspects of the business, including drafting and negotiating management and services agreements, license agreements, construction and engineering agreements as well as different HR and employment related matters.

Training

CIC's training department provides tailor made courses catering to the needs of clients. These include financial, credit and legal training. Courses are based on complementing technical and practical knowledge that can be applied immediately. Accordingly, added value of the training is directly reflected on the candidates’ performance.   
 

CIC's key clients include:

Ahli United Bank

Allied Arab for Investment & Development

Arab African International Bank

Arab Bank, Egypt

Banque Misr

Barclays Bank, Egypt

BG Egypt

BNP-Paribas, Egypt

Construct for Real Estate & Development

El Faisal Holding

Egyptian Turkish Trading Center

Export Development Bank, Egypt

HWP Cairo Planning and Engineering Consultant Ltd

MIBANK

Midwest Airlines

NAEEM Holding

National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Egypt

PICO International Petroleum

Pyramids Park Intercontinental Resort

Prime Holding Egypt

Spanish Egyptian Cement Factory 
 

Location

1B Hassan Sabry Street
4th Floor
Zamalek
Cairo, Egypt

Tel:  + (202) 27380644 - 27356611
Fax: + (202) 27380655
Email: cairo@cobbettsinternational.com

Disclaimer

Each member of Cobbetts International is a separate and independent firm. These firms are not  members of one international partnership or otherwise legal partners with each other, nor is any one member authorized or permitted to obligate or bind Cobbetts International or any other member in any way. Each  firm governs itself and handles its administrative matters independently. Although a member firm may carry the  Cobbetts International name, either exclusively or in its practice name, there is no  common ownership among any members firms, or by Cobbetts International.