Mehdi is a dual French/Algerian qualified lawyer with over 15 years' experience. He specialises in project development and finance (conventional and Islamic) particularly in the infrastructure, telecommunications, energy and mining sectors. Given his background, Mehdi's practice focuses geographically on the MENA region and France.
He is currently the alternate representative for Algeria at the ICC Court of Arbitration, and Vice-President of the Board of the Arbitration and Conciliation Center of the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce. His thesis on Foreign Investment in Algeria was published by a leading French law journal (Litec) in 2000. He lectures regularly on project finance at the University of Montpellier.
Mehdi speaks French, English and Arabic fluently.
Credentials
- a number of oil and gas companies (BG Group, Burlington Resources, BHP Billiton, Statoil, PetroSA, Qatar Petroleum) on acquisitions/disposals of interests in PSCs, concessions and the construction of related infrastructure, and/or on complex LNG, LPG, GTL and petrochemicals projects
- a number of international energy clients (BG Tunisia, GE) on turnkey EPC contracts for power plants and long term maintenance contracts etc, and in relation to complex independent power projects (including advising on GSAs, PPAs, EPCs)
- a number of financial institutions on project financing, including Islamic finance
- EUTELSAT IGO and International Telecommunications Satellite Organization on their ongoing relationships with the operating companies and their shareholders, and the regulators (eg leveraged recapitalisation, space frequency rights etc)
Accolades
"[Herbert Smith's] practice has been strengthened by the promotion of Paris-based Mehdi Haroun, who has a particularly strong practice in Algeria, to the partnership"
Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa 2009