Noha Khaled Abdelghaffar

Counsel

Noha Khaled Abdel Ghaffar is a Counsel at Shahid Law Firm within the International Business and Dispute Resolution departments.

Noha handles contentious and non-contentious matters across various business sectors, including international trade, construction, media and energy. She advised and represented private and state-owned entities in high stake cross-border disputes in relation to EPC contracts, oil & gas concessions, distribution agreements, international sale of goods, shareholding contracts, advertising contracts, governed by various laws, including Egyptian, UAE, Qatari, Omani, Iraqi, French and U.S. (New York) laws. Noha successfully represented clients in international arbitration cases under the auspices of the CRCICA, ICC, AAA/ICDR and several other notable arbitral institutions.

In addition to her extensive arbitration experience, Noha provides legal advice on civil and commercial matters and efficiently negotiates amicable settlements. She carefully evaluates the client’s needs, challenges and risks to deliver tailored solutions preserving the client’s interests.

  • Represented an Algerian company involved in the production of lime in an ICC arbitration case against a leading Swiss lime kiln manufacturer governed by Swedish law.
  • Represented two Egyptian companies specialised in grains and vegetarian oils industry against a U.S. leading corporation in an AAA/ICDR arbitration consolidating two arbitration cases governed by New York law in relation to two NAEGA contracts for importation of soybeans to Egypt.
  • Represented an Egyptian import/export company of agriculture goods in an ICC arbitration case against a French supplier pertaining to an exclusive distribution agreement governed by French law.
  • Represented a UAE client in an ICC expedited arbitration against a leading UAE construction group relating to the enforcement of a settlement agreement governed by UAE law.
  • Represented a state-owned Egyptian construction company in a CRCICA dispute against an Iraqi individual in relation to a dispute arising under the shareholders’ agreement governed by Iraqi law.
  • Represented a leading Egyptian advertising agency in two separate media related CRCICA arbitration cases governed by Egyptian law.
  • Advised a global leading provider of engineering and construction solutions for energy industry on contentious issues under Qatari law arising out of an EPCI Agreement concluded with the state-owned energy company.
  • Conducted amicable settlement negotiations between a solar energy company based in the UAE and a leading Asian solar energy company in relation to delay claims arising out of 5 EPC contracts governed by UAE law for the construction of 5 solar plants.
  • Advised a leading international contractor on Qatari law matters in relation to an ICC arbitration case pertaining to a dispute under a multimillion subcontract agreement for construction works of a major national infrastructure project.
  • Advised a leading Egyptian energy and utility provider company on matters related to their shareholding in a renewable energy company, to develop a 50 Megawatt solar plant within the Feed in Tariff Programme launched by the Egyptian Government to generate electricity from renewable energy.
  • Advised an international energy company on Omani law matters in an ICC arbitration case in relation to an EPC contract pertaining to claims on liability resulting from a fire at the construction site of a refinery in Oman.
  • Advised a petroleum company on Egyptian law queries arising from the assignment of its rights under a petroleum concession agreement with the Egyptian General Petroleum Company.
  • Advised the government of an investment host state on contentious issues under Egyptian law in relation to an ICSID claim filed against it by an Egyptian investor, and the proceedings ended with a win for the government of the host state.
  • Advised an Italian petrochemicals group in amicable settlement negotiations held with the Egyptian government and a state-owned entity pertaining to its claims under an EPC contract amounting to USD 145 million related to the construction of an ammonia and urea plant.
  • Conducted a high-level due diligence for a leading oil & gas company on the acquisition of another petroleum company’s stake in 11 concessions in Egypt.
  • Advised a Spanish oil & gas company on Egyptian law matters in relation to a CRCICA gas pricing dispute against the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company.

Prior to joining Shahid Law Firm, Noha practiced law at reputable French and Egyptian law firms in Paris and Cairo, gaining valuable international experience. She regularly contributes to diverse publications tackling legal updates on trends and developments in international arbitration in the region. She served as the Reporter for Egypt and OHADA on the ITA Board of Reporters (2020-2024).

Noha holds a double LL.B. in French and Egyptian Laws from Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne University in association with Cairo University; a Master I in International and European Business Law from École de Droit de la Sorbonne au Caire-IDAI; and an LL.M. (Master II) in International Trade Law, specialised in International Arbitration, from Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne University in France. She is a member of the Egyptian Bar Association. Her working languages are Arabic, English, French, and has a working knowledge in Spanish.