Biography
Payvand Vahdat is a partner in the Doha office of White & Case. He advises government bodies, quasi-government entities, developers and contractors on construction and infrastructure projects in Qatar and across the Middle East.
Payvand has experience across the full lifecycle of major projects, including procurement, project delivery and implementation, as well as advising on related disputes. His practice spans a range of sectors, including stadiums, transport and social infrastructure, and he has acted on both contentious and non-contentious matters in connection with complex, high-value infrastructure and construction projects.
He has spent over a decade advising on projects in Qatar and the wider region, working closely with government ministries, public sector bodies and international businesses operating across the Middle East. Prior to joining the Firm in 2019, Payvand spent more than seven years in-house at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, the State of Qatar body responsible for the delivery of infrastructure, host country planning and operations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In that role, he was closely involved in the procurement and delivery of a large-scale and high-profile infrastructure programme.
In addition to his infrastructure practice, Payvand has experience advising on sponsorship arrangements, inward investment and acquisitions in the sports sector, and continues to support clients on matters relating to major international sporting events. Payvand also advises clients on crisis management and business resilience strategies, including preparing for and responding to business interruption, reputational issues and disruption events.
He serves as Office Executive Partner of the Doha office.
Experience
Representing a property developer in an ICC arbitration against a contractor in connection with the construction of two commercial towers in Qatar.
Representing a property developer in an ICC arbitration against a contractor regarding the construction of residential towers, in respect of the validity of the contract termination.
Representing a property developer in an ICC arbitration against a contractor in relation to incomplete and defective works related to a residential development in Qatar.
Representing a property developer in relation to claims management for infrastructure works in Qatar.
Advising and drafting sponsorship agreements for a number of high profile sponsor arrangements with European top-flight football clubs and football confederations.
Representing a number of Qatari government authorities in the drafting and negotiation of a settlement agreement with an international contractor in relation to significant outstanding claims relating to a high profile construction project.
Representing a Qatari contractor (a subcontractor) in relation to an arbitration with the main contractor concerning the construction of rail maintenance depots.
Advising a Qatari quasi-government authority in connection with a significant claim followed by arbitration and ultimately settlement related to a rail-related project.
Advising a Qatari government developer in relation to two high profile disputes involving international contractors.
Sydney
Co-Author "Iraq ratifies the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards" (with Farah Haidar, Michael Turrini and Payvand Vahdat) June 22, 2021
