When a customer stops paying, a supplier breaches a contract or a deal with another trader goes wrong, every week of delay can cost your business money. Dr. Abdullah Al Rashdi Office, Advocates and Legal Consultants acts as a commercial litigation lawyer in Oman, representing companies, traders and investors in commercial and investment disputes across the Sultanate from our office in Muscat, with over 20 years of experience.
Commercial disputes and the Court of Investment and Commerce
Oman now has a specialised court for business disputes: the Court of Investment and Commerce, established by Royal Decree 35/2025, which began operating in October 2025. In general it hears cases in which one party is a trader and the dispute relates to their commercial activity, disputes arising from investment contracts, and a number of other specialised matters set out in its law. The court uses electronic case filing and a case preparation office, and the composition of the bench depends on the value of the claim.
Commercial disputes are governed mainly by the Commercial Law, the Commercial Companies Law, the Law of Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions and the Civil and Commercial Procedure Law. Because the specialised court expects a well-prepared file from the start, how the case is built at the outset has a real effect on how quickly it is decided and on the result.
When do you need a commercial litigation lawyer?
- A customer or company refuses to pay for goods, services or invoices.
- The other party breaches a supply, distribution, agency or services contract.
- Traders disagree over a transaction, the delivery or quality of goods, or payment terms.
- A dispute arises over a commercial business (sale, pledge or lease of a business).
- A commercial cheque has bounced, or a promissory note or bill of exchange is unpaid.
- Investors fall out over an investment contract or a business partnership.
- A commercial claim has been filed against you or your company and needs a defence.
How we help in commercial disputes
- Reviewing the contract, correspondence and evidence, and giving you a clear view of your position before you sue.
- Sending formal notices and demands, and negotiating settlements that protect your rights.
- Preparing the statement of claim and pleadings and representing you before the Court of Investment and Commerce at every stage.
- Applying for payment orders for debts proven in writing, and for urgent relief or precautionary attachment of the debtor's assets where the legal conditions are met.
- Debt collection and claims for payment and compensation.
- Representing companies in corporate disputes and in commercial arbitration where the contract contains an arbitration clause.
- Appeals and Supreme Court challenges where the law allows.
- Enforcing judgments until the amount awarded is actually recovered.
How we work with you
- First contact: send us a summary on WhatsApp or call us, and we arrange a meeting at our office or online.
- File review: we go through the contracts, invoices and correspondence, quantify the claim and flag any deadlines.
- Settlement attempt: where it serves you, we start with a formal notice or negotiation that may end the dispute without court.
- Litigation: if settlement fails, we prepare the full case file and represent you until judgment.
- Enforcement: we follow the judgment through to attachment and recovery.
Read also: Court of Investment and Commerce in Oman
Frequently asked questions
How do I file a commercial case in Oman?
A commercial case usually starts with a review of the contract and documents and a formal demand to the other party. If they do not respond, a statement of claim is prepared and filed electronically with the Court of Investment and Commerce, where the dispute falls within its jurisdiction, and the court fees are paid. Your lawyer prepares the claim and evidence and attends the case preparation stage and the hearings.
Which cases does the Court of Investment and Commerce hear?
In general, cases where one party is a trader and the dispute concerns their commercial activity, disputes under investment contracts, and other specialised matters set out in the court's law. Identifying the right court depends on the nature of the dispute, the parties and the filing date, which we check before filing.
Can the debtor's assets be frozen before judgment?
In certain cases the law allows a creditor to apply for precautionary attachment of the debtor's assets until the case is decided, for example where there is a real risk that assets will be moved. We assess whether the conditions are met in your case before applying.
Should my dispute go to court or to arbitration?
If your contract contains an arbitration clause, the dispute may have to go to arbitration rather than court. That is why we always start by reading the contract to choose the right forum.
If you have unpaid commercial invoices or a dispute with a partner, supplier or customer, contact Dr. Abdullah Al Rashdi Office on WhatsApp, call +968 92000841, or visit us at Bait Al Hamad, third floor, Al Khuwair, Muscat, near Takaful Oman Insurance and Bank Muscat, opposite the Ministries area.
Read also: Appeal Deadlines at the Court of Investment and Commerce in Oman, Court of Investment and Commerce Circuits by Governorate in Oman