Local Counsel

Your Local Counsel in Egypt, the Middle East and Africa

The Egyptian Law Firm provides local counsel and cross-border legal support to international law firms, multinational companies, financial institutions, embassies and clients whose business activities or legal matters extend across Egypt, the Middle East and Africa.

From our headquarters in Egypt, through our partner offices in Saudi Arabia and Iraq and in cooperation with carefully selected independent law firms across the region, we coordinate legal services in more than 15 jurisdictions.

We provide international law firms and clients with a single point of contact for multi-jurisdictional matters, while ensuring that each assignment is handled by lawyers with appropriate knowledge of the laws, regulations and professional practices of the relevant country.

International Cooperation
International and cross-border matters often require legal advice, representation or procedural assistance in more than one jurisdiction. Managing separate law firms in different countries can create challenges in relation to communication, consistency, timing, costs and reporting. The Egyptian Law Firm works closely with international law firms and in-house legal departments to coordinate local legal support across the Middle East and Africa. Depending on the jurisdictions involved, instructions are handled by our Egypt office, our partner offices in Saudi Arabia and Iraq or independent law firms with whom we maintain established professional relationships.
Our role is to facilitate communication, coordinate the work of the relevant local lawyers and provide the instructing firm or client with clear and consolidated reporting.
Local Counsel in Egypt
As an Egyptian law firm headquartered in Cairo, we provide international law firms and foreign clients with comprehensive advice and representation on Egyptian law.
We regularly assist with corporate and commercial matters, foreign investment, regulatory compliance, due diligence, construction and infrastructure projects, employment, intellectual property, litigation, arbitration and enforcement proceedings.
Our lawyers combine knowledge of Egyptian law with practical experience before Egyptian courts, governmental authorities and regulatory bodies.
We explain local legal requirements clearly and provide practical guidance appropriate to the commercial objectives of international clients.
Regional Coverage

We coordinate legal assistance in more than 15 countries across the Middle East and Africa.

Our regional capability is supported by:

  • The Egyptian Law Firm’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt;
  • Our partner office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;
  • Our partner office in Baghdad, Iraq; and
  • Independent cooperating law firms across other Middle Eastern and African jurisdictions.

Our network extends to jurisdictions including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa and other countries in the region.

The involvement of any partner or cooperating office is determined according to the relevant jurisdiction, the nature of the matter and any applicable professional or regulatory requirements.

A Single Point of Contact for Multi-Jurisdictional Matters
For matters involving several countries, The Egyptian Law Firm can act as the coordinating legal counsel and central point of communication.
We identify the appropriate local lawyers, communicate the client’s requirements, coordinate the scope and timing of the work and provide consolidated updates to the instructing law firm or client.
This structure reduces the administrative burden of appointing and managing separate legal advisers in each jurisdiction and helps maintain consistency in strategy, documentation, reporting and deadlines.
Where appropriate, we can also coordinate fee proposals and engagement arrangements for the participating jurisdictions, allowing the client or instructing firm to assess the overall scope and expected cost of the assignment.
Services for International Law Firms
Egyptian Legal Opinions
We prepare clear and carefully researched legal opinions on Egyptian corporate, commercial, investment, employment, regulatory, tax, property, dispute-resolution and other areas of law.
Our opinions explain the applicable legal framework, its practical implementation and the principal risks and options available to the client.
We can provide standalone Egyptian law advice or contribute the Egyptian section to a wider multi-jurisdictional memorandum prepared by the instructing law firm.
Legal Research and Regulatory Updates
We conduct focused legal research on Egyptian legislation, regulations, judicial principles and administrative practice.
Our lawyers monitor legislative and regulatory developments and can provide periodic updates on changes affecting the client’s activities in Egypt.
We also assist international firms with jurisdictional questionnaires, comparative legal surveys and multi-country regulatory projects.
Corporate and Commercial Support
We assist international law firms and their clients with company establishment, corporate governance, restructuring, shareholders’ arrangements and commercial contracts in Egypt.
Our services include preparing and reviewing transaction documents, completing corporate procedures and obtaining registrations, approvals and licences before the relevant authorities.
We can work as part of an international transaction team and handle the Egyptian law aspects of a broader cross-border transaction.
Foreign Investment and Licensing
We advise foreign investors on market entry, investment structures, company and branch establishment, investment incentives and regulatory approvals in Egypt.
Our lawyers assist with Golden Licence applications, General and Private Free Zone projects, industrial and factory licensing and the establishment of companies and projects within the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
We also advise on land arrangements, foreign ownership, employment, operational licensing and the continuing regulatory obligations of the investment.
Legal Due Diligence
We conduct legal due diligence on Egyptian companies, assets, projects and contractual arrangements in connection with acquisitions, investments, financing and other commercial transactions.
Our reviews may cover corporate status, licences, material contracts, employment, regulatory compliance, property, intellectual property, litigation and other areas relevant to the transaction.
We provide clear reports identifying material risks, missing documentation and recommended corrective measures.
Litigation and Court Representation
We represent foreign clients in commercial, civil, administrative, employment, intellectual property and other disputes before Egyptian courts and competent authorities.
We work closely with the instructing international law firm in developing the case strategy, reviewing evidence, preparing submissions and reporting on hearings and procedural developments.
Our reports are designed to enable foreign counsel and the client to understand the progress of the proceedings and the practical implications of each development.
Arbitration Support
We conduct legal due diligence on Egyptian companies, assets, projects and contractual arrangements in connection with acquisitions, investments, financing and other commercial transactions.
Our reviews may cover corporate status, licences, material contracts, employment, regulatory compliance, property, intellectual property, litigation and other areas relevant to the transaction.
We provide clear reports identifying material risks, missing documentation and recommended corrective measures.
Recognition and Enforcement
We assist with the recognition and enforcement in Egypt of foreign judgments and arbitral awards.
Our services include reviewing enforceability requirements, advising on legalisation and translation, commencing recognition proceedings and pursuing enforcement against assets located in Egypt.
Through our regional relationships, we can also coordinate enforcement assistance in other Middle Eastern and African jurisdictions.
Debt Recovery and Asset Enforcement
We assist international law firms, creditors, banks, insurers and export credit agencies with recovering commercial debts from debtors located in Egypt and other jurisdictions within our regional coverage.
We assess the available documents and the debtor’s position, issue formal demands, conduct settlement negotiations and initiate litigation and enforcement proceedings where required.
For regional portfolios involving debtors in several countries, we can coordinate local recovery action and provide consolidated status reporting.
Corporate Investigations and Evidence Collection
We assist international firms with corporate investigations, verification of public records, document collection and factual enquiries in Egypt.
Where legally permissible, we can obtain corporate records, review court files, verify licences and registrations and assist with the preservation and presentation of evidence.
We conduct such assignments with strict regard to confidentiality, data-protection requirements and applicable professional rules.
Employment and Immigration Support
We advise international clients on Egyptian employment contracts, workplace policies, termination, social insurance, employee disputes and internal investigations.
We also assist foreign employees and company management with work permits, investor residency and other employment-related immigration procedures.
For regional employment projects, we can coordinate responses from local counsel across the relevant jurisdictions.
Intellectual Property
We assist international law firms and their clients with the registration, renewal, protection and enforcement of trademarks, patents, industrial designs and other intellectual property rights in Egypt.
Our lawyers advise on licensing, assignments, intellectual property due diligence, infringement and anti-counterfeiting measures.
Through our partner and cooperating offices, we can also coordinate intellectual property protection and enforcement in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and other regional jurisdictions.
Multi-Jurisdictional Projects

We assist international law firms with legal projects requiring coordinated responses from several countries.

These projects may include:

  • Multi-country legal and regulatory surveys;
  • Corporate and beneficial ownership reviews;
  • Employment and workforce projects;
  • Data protection and privacy assessments;
  • Compliance and internal policy reviews;
  • Commercial contract reviews;
  • Debt-recovery portfolios;
  • Intellectual property registration and enforcement;
  • Foreign judgment and arbitral award enforcement;
  • Due diligence and cross-border transactions; and
  • Construction, infrastructure and energy projects.

We work with the instructing firm to establish a common scope, questionnaire, reporting format and timetable so that the final responses are consistent and easy to compare.

Our Commitment to Referring Law Firms
Protection of the Client Relationship
We recognise that the client relationship belongs to the instructing law firm. We do not seek to bypass the referring firm or approach its client independently.
All communications and instructions are handled in accordance with the arrangements agreed with the referring firm.
Confidentiality
We maintain strict confidentiality in relation to the client, the matter, the documents received and the identity of the instructing firm.
Before accepting an instruction, we can conduct an appropriate conflict-of-interest check based on the information provided.
Clear Scope and Fee Arrangements
We provide a clear description of the proposed scope, professional fees, anticipated disbursements and any assumptions affecting the assignment.
We notify the instructing firm before undertaking material work outside the agreed scope or incurring significant additional costs.
Reliable Communication
We provide timely acknowledgements, practical progress updates and clear written reports in English.
We understand that international counsel must report accurately to its client and therefore aim to provide the information required for informed decision-making.
Respect for Deadlines
We appreciate the importance of transaction timetables, court deadlines and coordinated multi-country submissions.
We confirm the expected timeframe at the outset and promptly notify the instructing firm of any issue that may affect completion.
Flexible Working Arrangements
We can work directly with the instructing law firm, jointly with its client or as part of a wider international legal team, depending on the preferred engagement structure.
Why Work with The Egyptian Law Firm?
More Than 25 Years of Experience in Egypt
Established in Cairo in 2000, our Firm has extensive experience advising foreign clients and international law firms on Egyptian legal matters.
International Perspective
Our lawyers understand the working methods, reporting requirements and professional expectations of international firms and multinational clients.
Regional Capability
We coordinate legal services across more than 15 jurisdictions through our Egypt headquarters, partner offices in Saudi Arabia and Iraq and cooperating independent law firms.
Direct Partner Involvement
Our partners and senior lawyers remain involved in the strategy, supervision and quality control of international and cross-border assignments.
Comprehensive Legal Services
We can support the client from market entry and corporate establishment through commercial operations, transactions, compliance, disputes and enforcement.
Practical and Commercial Advice
Our advice addresses not only the applicable law but also the practical procedures, risks and commercial considerations affecting the matter.

Work with Us

The Egyptian Law Firm welcomes cooperation with international and regional law firms, in-house legal departments, multinational companies, financial institutions, insurers, export credit agencies and other organisations requiring dependable local counsel.

Whether your instruction concerns a single Egyptian law issue or a coordinated project across several Middle Eastern and African jurisdictions, our lawyers are ready to assist.

Contact Our Local Counsel Team