While competition is intense across the global legal industry, the Middle East has the added issue of competition between regions.

Much of that jostling has been between cities and states keen to handle transactional and disputes work. Now, some think Saudi Arabia's regional headquarters programme will reshape the market. Firms including Latham & Watkins, White & Case LLP and Clyde & Co have already made Riyadh their regional centre.

Here, Law.com International's editor-in-chief Paul Hodkinson talks from Dubai on the issue.