Alan MacRitchie

"Alan is recognised for his pragmatic approach and extensive experience." – Global Guide, 2025

Counsel, Finance
Qatar

Expertise

Having practised as a banking and finance lawyer in Qatar for more nearly twenty years, Alan is uniquely well-placed to advise international lenders – both conventional and Islamic – in respect of high-end financings and restructurings. Having commenced his career as a project finance lawyer with White & Case in Doha and Riyadh, Alan also now specialises in financing for hotel developments, infrastructure projects, and real estate construction, development and investment both in Qatar and in the GCC more generally. He regularly advises on bespoke Qatar law security arrangements and guarantee structures.

Whilst working with Addleshaw Goddard, he has developed a particularly strong relationship with the region's strongest lender, Qatar National Bank alongside various other prominent Qatari banks and corporates, in particular HSBC, QIB, Commercial Bank and Masraf Al Rayaan. His practice combines Islamic and conventional financing. Alan has, for several years, been a prominent figure in the Qatar legal market, being ranked as a Tier 1 individual in the Chambers directory for the past two years and a leading associate in the Legal 500 directory for the past five years.

Experience

Representative matters include:

Advised the Global Facility Agent in relation to a QAR 4.5 billion fully syndicated, combined Islamic and conventional financing to a development company sponsored by various Qatar-based corporates and ultra-high net worth individuals. The financing is being used to develop a high-end retail mall and leisure space in the new Lusail City and represents one of the largest projects of its kind ever seen in Qatar.
Advised a conventional Qatari bank regarding a QAR 1.875 billion term loan financing to a Qatari real estate development company, secured and guaranteed by personal and corporate sponsors, for the construction of four hotels in downtown Doha, Qatar.
Advised a conventional Qatari lender in connection with a QAR 2.5 billion financing for the development of a 1 million m² multi-use development, including a waterpark, resort hotel, restaurants, retail development, theme park, and amenities, in anticipation of use both during the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar and beyond.
Advised the Islamic division of a UAE lender regarding its bespoke USD 260 million Islamic working capital and term facility financing for a state oil company. This involved a full suite of Islamic working capital facilities (including wakala, ijara, and LC murabaha facilities) together with a term loan murabaha, all under a single common terms agreement.
Advised an international sponsor-backed UAE-incorporated SPV borrower in connection with an AED 170 million acquisition finance arrangement involving the purchase of two UAE schools by means of two parallel ijara financing structures.

Testimonials

"Alan MacRitchie is acknowledged as a leading expert in banking, with exceptional expertise in LMA documentation and Qatar-specific security matters." – Legal 500, 2024

Recognitions

Global Guide 2026, Band 1
Chambers & Partners, legal directory 2026, Tier 1 individual ranking for Banking and Finance, Qatar
Legal 500 2026, Leading Associate