As Saudi Arabia accelerates its transformation under Vision 2030, the legal sector is being reshaped at an unprecedented pace. From sweeping regulatory reforms to complex mega-projects and evolving compliance expectations, legal counsel today face both new risks and exceptional opportunities.
Join DLA Piper in partnership with SCCA for a high-impact half-day conference bringing together senior regulators, in-house counsel, and legal thought leaders to unpack the most pressing legal developments and business-critical changes shaping the Kingdom's legal and commercial landscape.
More speakers will be announced soon.
Agenda
13:00 – 13:30 - Registration & Networking Coffee
- Welcome coffee
- Opportunity to network with peers and speakers.
13:30 – 13:45 - Introduction & Welcome Remarks
- Welcome by DLA Piper Hosts:
- Peter Somekh, Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, DLA Piper
- George Vlavianos, Partner DLA Piper
- Overview of the conference objectives and agenda.
- Introduction to the speakers and sessions.
13:45 – 14:00 - Keynote Address: Vision 2030 and the Evolving Legal Landscape in Saudi Arabia
- Speaker: Dr. Hamed Merah, CEO of the SCCA
- Focus: Economic transformation, foreign investment, legal sector modernization and digital transformation.
14:00 – 14:40 - Session 1: Masterclass: Localization
- Regional Headquarters Program – by Tim Sunar
- Data – by Paul Latto and Paul Thevathayan
- Q&A
- Speakers
- Tim Sunar, Partner, DLA Piper
- Paul Latto, Co-Managing Partner, Riyadh, DLA Piper
- Paul Thevathayan, Associate, DLA Piper
14:40 – 15:20 - Session 2: Panel Discussion: Dispute Resolution in the Kingdom – Risks & Opportunities in Saudi Infrastructure & Mega-Projects
- Examination of the current state of dispute resolution in Saudi Arabia.
- Insights into the role of arbitration, mediation and new legislative changes.
- Discussion on the impact of AI, cybersecurity and data privacy implications in dispute resolution.
- Contracting, risk & delivery, and legal priorities for Mega-Projects.
- Risk allocation, supply chain and localization (Saudization) impact on construction projects
- Speakers Moderator: George Vlavianos, , Qatar Managing Partner and Riyadh Co-Managing Partner, DLA Piper
- Ibrahim Alabdali, Senior Associate, DLA Piper
- Dr. Abdulaziz Aleid, Director of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
- Ms. Dara Sahab, Deputy Chief of ADR, Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration
- Ali Altoukhi, Chief Legal Officer, GCC Lab
15:20 – 16:20 - Lunch Break
16:20 – 16:50 - Session 3: Panel Discussion: Developments in Real Estate
- Foreign ownership in Saudi Arabia
- Residential and commercial market
- Speakers
- Rashed Alrashdi, Head of Legal Advisory and Litigation at Osool Integrated Real Estate Company
16:50 – 17:20 - Session 4: Panel Discussion: Navigating Tax Reform & Compliance in Saudi Arabia’s Shifting Fiscal Landscape
- Overview of recent tax reforms and their implications for businesses.
- Transfer pricing developments and optimization in the evolving tax landscape.
- Cross-border tax planning strategies and case studies for practical insights.
- Speakers
- Moderator: Ton Van Doremalen, Partner, DLA Piper
- Raneem Alrakhaimi, Tax Manager, DLA Piper
17:20 – 17:40 - Session 5: Masterclass: Saudi Employment Law in Transition – Regulation, Saudization & Workforce Strategy
- Overview of recent changes in employment law and labor regulations.
- Strategies for managing workforce transitions and remote work policies.
- Legal considerations in employee relations and dispute management.
- Speakers
- Zahir Qayum, Legal Director, DLA Piper
- Fahad Aleady, Senior Associate, DLA Piper
17:40 – 17:50 - Closing Remarks
Speakers
Riyadh
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh
Olaya Street, Kingdom Centre
Riyadh 11321, Saudi Arabia
