Commercial Contracts in Oman

Commercial contracts in Oman

The firm covers Oman matters in cooperation with a partner office in the Sultanate of Oman. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold an Oman law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter. We draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts of all types - for example supply, distribution, agency and services agreements - and advise on how the contract should be framed before it is signed.

The legal framework in Oman

Commercial contracts in Oman are governed mainly by the Civil Transactions Law (Royal Decree No. 29/2013) and the Commercial Law (Royal Decree No. 55/90). The Civil Transactions Law was published in the Official Gazette (issue 1012) on 12 May 2013 and took effect three months later. The Commercial Law was published in Official Gazette issue 435 on 15 July 1990. Both are Royal Decrees, so each contract is checked against the current text and not the original decree. Which rules apply depends on the contract type, the parties and the chosen forum.

How we work on a contract

We start with the parties, who can sign for them, the governing law and the forum. We then review or draft the clauses that carry the risk: price and payment, delivery and acceptance, termination, liability, confidentiality and dispute resolution. Signed versions, notices and the negotiation record are kept so a later disagreement can be handled on evidence. Where a disagreement already exists, see our dispute resolution practice, or read the General Commercial & Corporate overview. To scope a specific contract, contact our team. For Oman, every clause is read against the Civil Transactions Law and the Commercial Law.

Drafting points for Oman

The Civil Transactions Law is the default for matters that more specific laws do not address, so we map each clause to the right law instead of treating the contract as one block. We confirm which regime the counterparty operates under, including the Duqm, Sohar and Salalah free zones, and check signing authority against its constitutional documents. The firm does not hold an Omani license; local representation is assessed with our partner office for each matter.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

What law governs commercial contracts in Oman?

Mainly the Civil Transactions Law (Royal Decree No. 29/2013) and the Commercial Law (Royal Decree No. 55/90). Which provisions apply depends on the contract type, the parties and the chosen forum.

When did Oman's Civil Transactions Law take effect?

Royal Decree No. 29/2013 was published in the Official Gazette on 12 May 2013 and the law took effect three months after publication, on 12 August 2013.

Does the firm have an office in Oman?

The firm covers Oman matters in cooperation with a partner office in the Sultanate of Oman. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold an Oman law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter.

Other markets

Corporate & Commercial Law in Oman · Commercial Contracts in Egypt · Commercial Contracts in Saudi Arabia · Commercial Contracts in the UAE · Commercial Contracts in Qatar · Commercial Contracts in Bahrain