Sonia Barber’s understanding of international regulations, and how to best approach obstacles, enables her to advise clients seeking entry into the Middle East – with a focus on Qatari affairs.

Ms. Barber counsels clients regarding international business compliance, business formations, employment, hospitality, construction and dispute resolution.  Ms. Barber assists clients from the region, as well as outside of the Gulf, to access large-scale projects.  Specifically, she counsels companies from a host of industries, including oil and gas, construction and architectural engineering, hospitality and events, in all facets of development projects, from negotiating project agreements to drafting commercial leases, agency, management, licensing, and employment contracts.

Ms. Barber’s recent experience includes her work in advising contractors on major building and infrastructure projects, hotel operators, and owners in relation to operating and licensing agreements, as well as successfully mediating a significant commercial dispute before the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ms. Barber has more than five (5) years of experience in Qatar, before which she was employed by an Australian law firm highly regarded in the area of insurance litigation, at which she regularly appeared before the NSW Supreme Court, the District Court in Sydney and Newcastle, and the Compensation Court.  She is conversational in Japanese and has spent time abroad in Tokyo.

Professional Affiliations:
Founding Committee Member, Vice-Chairperson, Australian and New Zealand Businesses in Qatar (ANZBIQ)
Solicitor, Law Society of South Wales