In a world where legal systems must rapidly adapt to economic shifts, technological advances, and global integration, Al Suwaiket and Al Busaiyes Lawyers & Legal Consultants (SB Lawyers) has emerged as a steadfast legal partner rooted in local expertise and driven by global perspective. In this special interview, Robban Assafina explores with Dr. Bader AlBusaiyes, Founder & Managing Partner, how SB Lawyers has grown in parallel with Saudi Arabia’s modernization, its strategic alignment with Vision 2030, its pivotal role in maritime legal affairs, and how it continues to navigate complex legal intersections in a rapidly digitalizing world.
Al Suwaiket and Al Busaiyes has been serving clients since 2006. How has the firm evolved in response to the shifting legal and regulatory landscape in Saudi Arabia and the wider region?
Since its inception in 2006, Al Suwaiket and Al Busaiyes Lawyers & Legal Consultants (SB Lawyers) has served as a reliable legal partner in Saudi Arabia. The last twenty years have seen a vibrant transformation of the Kingdom's legal and regulatory environment driven largely by the ambitious Vision 2030. SB Lawyers not only sustained the pace of change but has even actively developed itself to successfully cater to its diverse clientele, both in the Kingdom locally as well as on the global stage
When SB began in 2006, the Saudi legal framework, was in the early stages of modernization. The years thereafter witnessed substantial reforms with a view to supporting more economic diversification, foreign investment, and business facilitation.
Among the most substantial transformations are: Judicial Reforms and Codification, foreign Investment Liberalization, Enhancements in Corporate Governance: Labor Law Reformulation, Protection of Intellectual Property, implementation of new tax systems.
SB Lawyers' development tracks these local trends. The speed of the firm's capacity for adaptation and strategy has been central to success: In-Depth Knowledge Of Local Laws and Legislation, Expansion of Practice Areas-The firm has expanded its practice areas, to address the growing complexity of the legal environment.
International Cooperation: Recognizing the international character of business today, SB Lawyers works in association with top specialist firms across the world, especially in Europe and North America.
Client-Oriented Approach: SB Lawyers is dedicated to delivering clear, quality, and professional legal services that are personalized to execute clients' business strategies.
In short, Al Suwaiket and Al Busaiyes has laced with profound local insight and international perspective combined with a client success mindset, SB Lawyers is a point of pride for the adaptable and innovative thinking necessary of lawyers in a growing market.
As the company seeks to attract new clients from outside the region to Saudi Arabia, how is the firm aligning this expansion with the broader goals of Vision 2030 and the kingdom’s evolving legal landscape?
As Saudi Arabia rapidly transforms under the ambitious Vision 2030, a new era of opportunities is unfolding for businesses and professionals worldwide. At SB Lawyers, we are acutely aware of this paradigm shift and are strategically aligning our services to support and capitalize on the Kingdom's evolving legal landscape, thereby facilitating the influx of international clients.
Vision 2030, championed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is a comprehensive blueprint designed to diversify the economy away from oil, foster a vibrant society, and build an ambitious nation.
This monumental undertaking has necessitated a sweeping overhaul of the Kingdom's legal and regulatory frameworks, creating an environment that is increasingly attractive, transparent, and secure for foreign investment.
Our firm's expansion strategy is deeply intertwined with these broader national goals in several keyways:
- Embracing Legal Modernization
- Facilitating Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Supporting Diversification Sectors
- Enhancing Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
- Navigating Labor Law Reforms
At SB Lawyers, we are not merely interpreters of law; we are strategic partners who empower international clients to unlock the vast potential of Saudi Arabia's thriving economy. Our commitment is to provide world-class legal counsel that aligns with the Kingdom's progressive vision, fostering a secure, prosperous, and globally connected future.
Do you believe maritime legal firms have a significant impact on shaping both the international and local legal landscape? How does your firm contribute to this?
The maritime industry, a cornerstone of global trade and economy, operates within a complex web of international conventions, national laws, and evolving commercial practices. At its heart, specialist maritime legal firms play a pivotal role in shaping this intricate legal landscape, influencing both international frameworks and local applications.As the maritime industry evolves with new technologies (e.g., autonomous vessels, green shipping) and business models, legal firms are at the forefront of developing innovative legal solutions. They advise on contractual agreements, financing structures, and risk mitigation strategies for novel ventures, thereby facilitating progress and ensuring legal certainty in a dynamic sector.
At SB, we proactively participating in maritime conferences like many others and maintaining active memberships in several international maritime organizations, industry associations, and governmental committees. This engagement allows us to pursue the industry experiences and advocate for policies that promote fair trade, sustainable practices, and efficient operations, directly influencing the progress of maritime law and regulation.
In conclusion, maritime legal firms are indispensable actors in shaping the dynamic legal landscape of the global and local maritime industry. Their expertise, advocacy, and commitment to justice are crucial in ensuring that this vital sector operates efficiently, safely, and sustainably, adapting to new challenges and embracing future opportunities.
What emerging risks do you foresee in maritime industry that stakeholders should be legally prepared for?
Maritime industry is a fastest growing international network connected business sector and a cornerstone of global trade, always stands at the midst of transformative changes. As the sector witnessing an evolutionary transform day by day, it also brings forth a new wave of complex legal risks that stakeholders must proactively address. As a legal firm deeply experienced in maritime law, we identify several critical areas demanding immediate legal preparedness:
- Cybersecurity and Digital threats: as important as the business, stakeholders hold down few legal preparedness such as cyber risk management frameworks, contractual clarity, and regulatory compliance.
- Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Compliance: The global push for sustainability is rapidly transforming maritime regulations. Proactive regulatory adaptation is a must focus for the stakeholders to move forward with and ensuring accurate monitoring and reporting of risks.
- Crew Welfare and Labor Standards: It is another prime focus every stakeholder must adapt while moving with the industry’s transformative growth in the present era.
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The evolving nature of work in the maritime industry, particularly with automation, raises new considerations for crew welfare, training, and potential legal challenges related to employment.
I am concluding, the maritime industry is sailing into a future defined by technological advancement, environmental imperatives, and geopolitical uncertainties. Legal preparedness is no longer a reactive measure but a precautionary approach.
Stakeholders, from shipowners and operators to insurers and logistics providers, must engage with expert maritime legal counsel to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate these emerging risks. By doing so, they can position themselves for sustainable growth and resilience in the years to come.
How do you manage cases that involve complex overlaps between local and international regulations, particularly in the maritime law?
The complicative world of maritime law frequently presents a unique challenge, cases that operate at the crossroads of diverse legal frameworks. Knowing and effectively handling the disputes evolving complex overlaps between local and international regulations is very important, particularly in the maritime sector.
I always develop my own strategy to overcome and manage the complexities in the industry. The first and most critical element is specialized legal expertise. As you are all aware, maritime sector is a highly specialized field encompassing a vast array of international conventions (such as SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC, and UNCLOS), bilateral treaties, and national legislation. When these frameworks intersect, a profound understanding of each is indispensable.
Our dedicated focus on maritime and shipping law are deeply familiar with both the specificities of local commercial codes and the intricacies of international maritime conventions. This specialized knowledge allows for a precise identification of applicable laws, potential conflicts, and the most effective legal strategies. In conclusion, managing maritime cases with complex overlaps between local and international regulations is a challenging task. It demands a blend of deep specialized knowledge, strategic jurisdictional navigation, robust international collaboration, and a commitment to proactive risk management. Clubbing the above comes crucial when we deal with maritime disputes and matters which overlaps the jurisdictions.
How is the digital transition in the maritime sector influencing your legal services, and what specific sectors or markets do you anticipate seeing increased demand in the coming years?
The global maritime sector is undergoing an unprecedented digital transition, driven by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and advanced data analytics. This transformation is not merely an operational shift, but a fundamental redefinition of how the industry functions, bringing with it both immense opportunities and complex legal challenges.
As a leading legal practice with a strong focus on maritime law in Saudi Arabia, SB Lawyers is acutely aware of these evolving dynamics and is actively adapting its services to meet the demands of this new era.
As for the digital transition in the maritime sector, it has profoundly influenced the nature and scope of our legal services in several key areas:
Cybersecurity and Data Protection: With increased connectivity comes heightened vulnerability to cyber threats. Vessels, ports, and logistics networks are becoming critical digital infrastructure, making them targets for cyberattacks. Our legal services are increasingly focused on advising clients on robust cybersecurity protocols, data privacy compliance (especially with Saudi Arabia's evolving data protection laws, aligning with Vision 2030's emphasis on data and AI), and incident response planning.
As digital technologies integrate into maritime operations, regulatory bodies worldwide, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and national authorities like Mawani in Saudi Arabia, are continuously updating guidelines and introducing new legislation.
Our role involves meticulously tracking these developments, ensuring client compliance, and advocating for clear, harmonized international standards. Saudi Arabia's proactive approach to digital transformation, evidenced by initiatives in smart ports and updated shipping agent regulations, underscores the need for agile legal counsel.
Dispute Resolution in a Digital Age: The nature of disputes is evolving, with more cases potentially involving data breaches and smart contract failures, we are exploring and advising on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that can effectively handle these digital-centric conflicts.
Looking ahead, we anticipate a significant increase in demand for legal services across several specific sectors and markets within the maritime industry. As maritime companies invest heavily in digitalization, there will be a strong demand for legal services related to technology procurement contracts, intellectual property rights for maritime software and solutions, data licensing agreements, and regulatory compliance for tech providers entering the maritime space.
The ongoing and escalating threat of cyberattacks will drive a continuous need for specialized legal counsel on cybersecurity preparedness, data breach response, compliance with international data protection regulations (such as GDPR and similar Saudi Arabian frameworks), and the development of robust data governance policies for maritime data.
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We are committed to staying at the forefront of these developments. Our deep understanding of both traditional maritime law and the complexity of digital transformation positions us uniquely to guide our clients through the challenges and opportunities presented by this exciting new chapter in the global maritime industry.
We believe that by embracing innovation and proactively addressing legal complexities, we can help shaping a secure, efficient, and digitally advanced future for maritime sector.
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:To read the full content, click on the following link Robban Assafina, Issue 98, July/Aug 2025, Maritime Host, pg. 65-66-67 |
