Our people

Roger Byrne

Partner, Head of Region – Oman, Corporate Debt & Project Finance
Oman

Expertise

Roger Byrne is the Head of Office in Oman and a banking and finance partner, based in Muscat. He leads the team of English and Arabic lawyers and has practice experience of more than 25 years, including over a decade in the GCC. Roger is a thought leader in the legal industry of Oman and has been ranked as Legal 500 'Hall of Fame' in 2024, and a 'Band 1 Lawyer' in Chambers 2024. Clients describe Roger as "one of the best lawyers in town; working with Roger has always been a pleasure" (Chambers 2020).

Roger has advised on high profile banking, infrastructure and project finance matters and his clients comprise of leading regional and international banks, government / semi-government entities and blue-chip enterprises with a particular focus on energy and utilities, renewables and oil & gas sectors. He also advises issuers and issue managers on debt capital market transactions and sponsors establishing investment funds.

Legal 500 has rated Roger in its "Hall of Fame" in Oman for banking and finance for several years running and says Roger is "arguably the best finance/banking lawyer in Oman", "runs a very accessible banking group which is known for its industry knowledge and individual partner attention"; "an expert in the field" and "has developed a reputation as a go-to-lawyer for sophisticated and complex banking and finance transactions."

Chambers and Partners Global Directory rates Roger in Band 1 and quotes market commentators as saying Roger "understands the level of service we expect". Clients praise his strong presence in negotiations and his commercial acumen". "Roger stands out as one of the best banking and finance lawyers in town. His personality, accessibility, knowledge, depth and understanding of the commercial elements are just some of the qualities he exhibits in every transaction."

Upon qualification Roger spent a number of years at leading Australian Law Firm, Clayton Utz, where he was a partner for 10 years from 1992. Roger also worked for an Australian listed investment company and New York based investment bank with offices in Australia conducting private equity investments and corporate advisory services for clients conducting M&A and capital raising transactions.

Experience

Advising the Bank Muscat SAOG lead syndicate for the amendment and waiver of its US$ 177,000,000 secured refinancing facility involving both conventional finance and Islamic Finance facility (diminishing Musharaka) for Services & Trade Group (the diversified international construction and diversified industries group) and associated security package.
Advising the Mandated Lead Arrangers to the syndicate of project financing on the further amendment of the US$ 400,000,000 for the Saraya Bandar Jissah Integrated Tourism Complex in Oman.
Advising the Mandated Lead Arrangers to the syndicate of project financing on the further amendment of the US$ 400,000,000 for the Saraya Bandar Jissah Integrated Tourism Complex in Oman.
Advising Bank Muscat SAOG as the lender on its US$45,000,000 project finance term facility to Oman Tower Company LLC for the construction, development and maintenance of 886 Mobile Telecommunication Towers in Oman and the associated security package.
Advising the Mandated Lead Arrangers to the syndicate of project financing on the amendment of the US$ 400,000,000 for the Saraya Bandar Jissah Integrated Tourism Complex in Oman.

Professional Qualifications

Admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Queensland
Subsequent admissions to the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Supreme Court of Western Australia, the Federal Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia

Testimonials

Rated in "Hall of Fame" in Oman for banking and finance: 'Roger "runs a very accessible banking group which is known for its industry knowledge and individual partner attention"; "an expert in the field" and "has developed a reputation as a go-to-lawyer for sophisticated and complex banking and finance transactions."
Legal 500

Rated in Band 1 and quotes market commentators as saying Roger "understands the level of service we expect". "Clients praise his strong presence in negotiations and his commercial acumen."
Chambers and Partners

Oman

We operate from an office in Muscat, in association with Nasser Al Habsi & Saif Al Mamari Law Firm, with which we share a wealth of expertise and experience across a range of legal disciplines.

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