Doha, 9 March 2008

McNair Chambers has announced that it has been authorised by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority to operate from the Qatar Financial Centre.

McNair will offer specialist advice in the areas of commercial law, public international law and international arbitration. Khawar Qureshi QC, head of chambers, commented: “Many members of our chambers have been advising clients in Qatar and the region for the last 20 years and we wish to improve our service by having a local presence.”

Stuart Pearce, CEO and Director General of Qatar Financial Centre Authority, said: “We are delighted to welcome McNair to Qatar Financial Center and the added value of their specialist advisory services will be an asset to Qatar, and the region’s business community”.

Media enquiries:

Millie Hyde-Smith +974 5848308 Email: millie.hydesmith@gmail.com

Steve Martin
Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication
Office :+974 4967755 Mobile:+974 5831937 Email: s.martin@qfc.com.qa

Notes to Editors:

Qatar Financial Centre
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is a financial and business centre established by the Government of Qatar and located in Doha. It has been designed to attract international financial services institutions and major multi-national corporations and to encourage participation in the growing market for financial services in Qatar and elsewhere in the region. The QFC operates to international standards and provides a first class legal and business infrastructure for those licensed to operate by the Centre. The QFC was created by Qatar Law No.(7) and has been open for business since 1 May 2005.

QFC Regulatory Authority
The QFC Regulatory Authority is an independent regulatory body established by Article 8 of the QFC Law. It regulates firms that conduct financial services in or from the QFC. It has a broad range of regulatory powers to authorize, supervise and, when necessary, discipline firms and individuals. The QFC Regulatory Authority regulates firms using principle-based legislation of international standard, modeled closely on that used in London and other major financial centers. The Regulatory Authority is currently receiving applications and granting authorisations.

QFC Authority
The QFC Authority is the commercial, administrative and legislative body responsible for driving the commercial strategy of the QFC and for developing relationships with the global corporate community and other key institutions both within and outside of Qatar.