Iyad Barakat Managing Partner Legal / Head Legal Services M.E.

Iyad Barakat is a seasoned lawyer with over 25 years of experience and is the Managing Partner of Mazars in Jordan (Legal). His expertise spans various legal domains, including taxation (advisory, structuring, litigation, tax planning), regulatory compliance, and commercial and transactional work in sectors such as aviation, telecommunications, tourism, hotels, trade, industry, and transportation. Iyad is recognised as an entrepreneurial and results-oriented senior legal counsel, demonstrating proficiency in analysing, structuring, negotiating, and closing complex commercial transactions.

With a versatile background, Barakat has led and managed teams of lawyers and legal assistants, acting as a trusted advisor to boards of directors, regulatory bodies, executive management teams, and investors. His extensive experience includes general legal advisory roles for public and private companies, national and international development agencies, NGOs, and legislative and regulatory bodies. Barakat holds an impeccable litigation record, managing significant cases that have set judicial precedents in Jordan's Court of Cassation, particularly in sales and income tax matters.

In the realm of taxation, Barakat has more than two decades of experience streamlining and strengthening General Sales Tax (VAT) policies. He has advised on double taxation agreements and international conventions, and served as a VAT and excise tax consultant across diverse sectors. His contributions extend to drafting tax laws, policies, and procedures, as well as creating roadmaps and scenarios for clients, including major international companies. Barakat's leadership skills have been instrumental in forming in-house legal teams for various clients, and he possesses an excellent knowledge of business and corporate laws.

Beyond his legal practice, Barakat has been involved in initiatives supporting the development of Jordan’s business environment. He has been assigned roles by international organisations, such as DAI Global LLC and Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, contributing to projects aimed at enhancing the business environment and promoting venture capital industry best practices in Jordan.

Qualification:

• Lawyer, Jordan Bar Association

Education and certifications:

• B.A. Law, Al Ahliyya Amman University
• Italian Language, Universita Italiana Per Stranieri
• GCC VAT Compliance Diploma

Languages:

• Arabic
• English
• Italian (proficient)