An International Energy Law Practice 

Akmal Abbas is an oil and gas and corporate lawyer with over 36 years track record of delivery in the energy sector. Akmal is a member of the Egyptian Bar Association licensed to practice before the Court of Cassation (Supreme Court). He is also licensed in the UAE under the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to provide legal advice and services in both English and Arabic languages.

 

Through his diverse experience, Akmal has built legal expertise enabling him to practice under civil law and common law systems in Egypt, the UK & the Middle East building on his master’s degree from Harvard Law School (1987) and Licence en Droit from Cairo University (1984).

 

Having worked in Abu Dhabi, Aberdeen and Cairo, Akmal has hands-on experience advising on a range of oil, gas and LNG matters including the interpretation and construction of commercial laws, dispute resolution and compliance regulations in many countries including the UK, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Indonesia, China and Australia. Akmal drafted and developed major oil and gas country access agreements including joint venture agreements, transportation and processing agreements, procurement, construction, and services contracts whilst espousing best industry practices for environment, social and governance (ESG) and regulatory compliance.

 

Formally, as BP’s Assistant General Counsel - Middle East, North Africa and Asia Pacific Regions, Akmal led legal teams in Abu Dhabi, Oman, Cairo, Jakarta, Perth and London and acted as lead lawyer and a core team member in negotiations of major agreements relating to the acquisition, divestment and amendment of rights under oil and gas concessions and state contracts. 

 

Akmal started his career as an attorney in Cairo with the Chicago based law firm of Sidley & Austin. He was also Assistant District Attorney with the Attorney General of Egypt and a Legal Adviser to the Cairo Regional Center for International Commercial Arbitration.