Ibrahim Tannous Sader Establishes Lebanon’s First Bookstore: “Al-Maktaba al-Umumiya” or “The Public Bookstore”

Beginnings

The Sader story begins during the Ottoman period with Ibrahim Sader, the founding grandfather of the dynasty, who migrated from the village of Darb al-Sim to Beirut after the events of 1860. An illiterate peasant, he started working as an umbrella repairman and would sometimes exchange his labor for knowledge. Accordingly, some customers taught him to read and write, while others paid him with books. Over time, the volumes accumulated in his workshop. One day, a passerby asked to buy one of the books, and the first sale was made. From that moment, Ibrahim began arranging the titles in a scientific and alphabetical order and gradually advanced in this pursuit. In 1863, he established Lebanon’s first commercial bookstore, which became renowned as The Public Library.

The First Publications of the Public Library (or Bookstore)

Ibrahim Sader’s work expanded from selling books to publishing them as Beirut transformed into a leading city in commerce, science, publishing, and culture in the Ottoman Empire. He published several books at his own expense under the name of the Public Library, including the book “Principles of Ottoman Criminal Proceedings.” (one of the earliest commercial legal publications)

Ibrahim Sader Establishes the Scientific Press

Ibrahim expanded the scope of work to include publishing in the fields of law, culture, and literature at the “Scientific Press,” under the supervision of his son Yusuf Sader.

Transferring the Trust from Ibrahim to His Sons

The father and his two sons, Yusuf and Salim, agreed to transfer the trust as follows: the press and everything related to it would go to Yusuf, and the bookstore to Salim. Thus, the “Public Library” continued on one hand through the “Scientific Press,” to become “Legal Publications House,” and under the name Sader Library with his son Salim, changing its name to become Sader Press, which soon gained wide fame.

Sader Diary: Modernizing Professional Timekeeping

To meet the needs of a new era and a changing Beirut society, Yusuf Sader broadened the press’s offerings with the publication of the SADER Calendar, followed soon after by the renowned SADER Agenda. At the time, the Agenda stood out for the precision of its dates and the wealth of practical information it contained, making it an essential tool in a Beirut energized by commerce, exchange, and transport. More than a century later, the Sader Agenda continues to be published to this day.

The First Compilation of Lebanese Laws

Yusuf Sader published the first legal compilation of its kind in Lebanon and the Arab world: “The Collection of Laws in Lebanon”. Issued in nine volumes totaling 3,800 pages, it was accompanied by alphabetical indexes to enhance its utility. Through this pioneering work, Sader played an active role in Lebanon’s state-building process. Its reputation spread widely, with the United Nations Library in New York acquiring a complete set, and several American universities soon following suit. Building on this success, he later published the ‘Collection of Syrian Government Decrees’, issued in eight volumes totaling 2,600 pages..

The Judicial Magazine: The First Judicial Magazine in the Arab World

In a pioneering step, Yusuf Sader, the legal expert, launched the first magazine concerned with law in the Arab world: “The Judicial Magazine” in 1921. Through it, he established the concept of general legal culture, publishing official decisions, decrees, and communiqués issued by governments under the Mandate, as well as rulings of the Courts of Cassation in Greater Lebanon and the Syrian Government, decisions reviewing legal questions, and significant legal articles. He enriched the Journal with detailed indexes arranged alphabetically.

Among the most important texts published in the Journal during this formative stage of modern Lebanese history were the Lebanese Constitution, the Lebanese Nationality Law, the Intellectual Property Protection Law and the Cedar Protection Law.

Yusuf Sader published the “Collection of Laws”, the first comparative legal compendium of its kind in the Mashreq, encompassing all the laws in force across the Arab countries that had separated from the Ottoman administration. Its aim was to present modern legal opinions and theories so that law students would not miss any developments in the field. The collection comprised seven volumes, published between 1924 and 1932.

Publishing the Lebanese Constitution for the General Public in the Judicial Magazine

The Lebanese Constitution was issued in 1926, marking a turning point in the nation’s modern history. With its adoption, the Lebanese Republic emerged as the first republic in the Middle East. In record time, Yusuf Sader published the text of the Constitution in the July 1926 edition of The Judicial Magazine, only two months after its approval in May of that year.

Launching the “Modern Delights” Women’s Magazine

“Modern Delights” was a renowned weekly women’s literary magazine in Lebanon and the Arab world, founded and published by Adeeb Yusuf Sader in 1930. It featured short novels as well as advertisements for the latest technological innovations.

Partnership with the Rihani Family

Yusuf Sader established “Sader–Rihani Presses” with his brother-in-law Albert Rihani, brother of the intellectual Amin Rihani, whose works Yusuf had been publishing since 1910. Yusuf’s wife, Adel Rihani, was Amin Rihani’s sister.

Transferring Legal Knowledge from Turkish to French and Arabic

After Lebanese independence in 1943, Yusuf Sader translated a collection of modern laws from Turkish into French, at the request of French judicial advisor Mr. Declan, for use by French judges in the mixed courts. He also rendered them into Arabic to broaden their accessibility. Between 1941 and 1946, he published major legal texts in French, including the Penal Code, the Commercial Code, and the jurisprudence of the Mixed Court of Appeal.

Adeeb Sader in the “Big League”

Bearing a great legacy and heavy burden, Adeeb Sader carried forward his father Yusuf’s mission — publishing numerous legal works and continuing The Judicial Magazine, which had become dedicated to laws and their amendments. Through the press, soon known as the Official Press, and the publishing house that issued works for leading figures in law and politics, Adeeb Sader entered the “big league” among rulers and statesmen and secured his place in their circles.

Advancing Education and Culture

Adeeb Sader turned his attention to education, founding the widely acclaimed “Culture Magazine”, which became known for its sound educational ideas aimed at shaping responsible citizens. He also introduced summer holiday homework to Lebanon. In addition, he chaired the board of the Lebanese Publishers Company, which specialized in publishing national school textbooks issued by the Educational Center for Research and Development.

Modernizing Printing and Introducing Automated Typesetting

Sader Press accompanied every stage of the evolution of the art of printing and, ever innovative, played a key role in advancing this sector in Lebanon by modernizing the typesetting process, moving from manual typesetting to computer-based methods.

Publishing “Al-Adl Magazine” and Cooperation with the Beirut Bar Association

Adeeb Sader began printing “Al-Adl Magazine”, the official journal of the Beirut Bar Association, which continues to be printed at Sader Press to this day.

Establishing the Lebanese Publishers Union

In 1972, Adeeb Sader participated in establishing the Lebanese Publishers Union, an important initiative to support and organize the publishing industry in Lebanon.

Joseph Sader Continues the Journey

Amid the painful years of civil war that ravaged Lebanon and made his task arduous, Joseph Adeeb Sader did not relent. He continued along the path set by his forefathers, expanding the legal catalogue and publishing numerous works for leading Lebanese and Arab judges, lawyers, and professors.

Press Bombing: SADER Pays the Price of War

The fires of the Lebanese war did not spare SADER, whose headquarters on Damascus Road in central Beirut stood on the frontline. The press, responsible for printing the Official Gazette, was shelled more than once. In 1984, it was destroyed in a bombing, and much of Sader’s archive was consumed by flames.

Moving the Headquarters to Dekwaneh | Publishing the award-winning edition of “The Prophet” by Khalil Gibran

In 1985, following the bombing and ongoing conflict, Joseph Sader relocated the headquarters to Dekwaneh, a safer location. During this period, Sader published a landmark luxury edition of Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, which became a symbol of Lebanese literary and cultural heritage. This edition was later adopted as an official gift from Lebanese heads of state and government to distinguished guests during their international visits. In 1997, it received the London Advertising Award.

Launching the “Laws of Lebanon” Series

With the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1991, Joseph Sader recognized the urgent need for a comprehensive compilation of Lebanese legislation. He created the Laws of Lebanon, an ambitious 33-volume work that quickly became one of the country’s most important legal references. The collection played a pivotal role in re-establishing Lebanon’s legal order in the post-war period and soon became indispensable to state administrations, institutions, universities, judges, and lawyers alike. In a distinctive innovation, the laws were organized according to the structure of the Lebanese state, with every piece of legislation placed under its corresponding ministry — for example, intellectual property law under the Ministry of Economy and Trade.

Launch of the Legal Research and Studies Center: Sader’s Transformation from Publisher to Author

To address a gap in legal and juridical publishing, Sader undertook its first strategic transformation, moving from publisher to author and source of legal knowledge. This shift led to the creation of the Sader Legal Research and Studies Center, composed of an elite group of judges, lawyers, and legal experts under the leadership of lawyer Rani Joseph Sader. The Center produced numerous landmark collections, including the renowned Sader Annotated Codes  (Sader Between Legislation and Jurisprudence), Sader in Civil and Criminal Cassation, Sader in Comparative Jurisprudence, Sader in International Agreements, Jurisprudence of the Legislation and Consultation Authority, Jurisprudence of the Court of Accounts, Jurisprudence of the Council of State, and Sader in Legal Dictionaries (Les Juridicts), among others. These works quickly became indispensable references for lawyers and jurists across the region.

Launch of the Electronic “Laws of Lebanon” Collection and the Transition to Modern Publishing

Sader, which had continually kept pace with the evolution of the art of printing, was quick to embrace the technological revolution. The company undertook its second major transformation, moving from traditional paper publishing to modern electronic publishing. This shift gave rise to the Sader Legal Informatics Collection in 2002, which gathered Lebanese legislation, leading jurisprudence from Lebanese courts, and international agreements on continuously updated CDs. The material was carefully organized, indexed, categorized, and cross-referenced with related legal texts and judicial decisions, setting a new benchmark for legal research in Lebanon.

SADER in the Emirates and the Transformation into a Regional Publisher

Sader’s third transformation was from a local publisher into a regional one. After several attempts in different Arab countries, from Morocco to the Levant, the first success came in the United Arab Emirates. Over four years, Sader collaborated with Al Tamimi & Partners to launch the print edition of the “Laws of the Emirates” Collection, modeled on the spirit of the Laws of Lebanon Collection. This was later followed by the release of the “Laws of the Emirates” on CDs. Both editions achieved wide success within the Emirati legal and judicial community.

Launching Partnership Between Lebanon’s Council of State and SADER

SADER Legal Publications launched the official website of the Lebanese Council of State (www.statecouncil.gov.lb) along with its special guide. The initiative was inaugurated at the Lawyer’s House under the patronage of Justice Minister Charles Rizk, represented by Council of State President Judge Ghalib Ghanem The project was funded by the US Agency for International Development through the Transparency and Accountability Program managed by AMIDEAST Lebanon.

Launching the First Lebanese Laws Website in English

SADER launched lebaneselaws.com, the first online portal for Lebanese laws in English, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, USAID, and AMIDEAST. The website received several awards in recognition of its contribution to legal accessibility.

July 2006 Launching Partnership Between Lebanese Ministry of Justice and SADER

Sader enters into partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Justice and launches the Ministry’s electronic portal.

SADER in Kuwait

SADER took its first steps in Kuwait in cooperation with the Kuwaiti company AIMS, working on the documentation of legal information for the state’s official legal website. A memorandum of understanding was signed between SADER and AIMS, through which SADER provided support in research, consultations, legal translation, legal informatics, project management for the proper application of law, as well as printing and publishing.

Sader becomes a Strategic Partner for Government Bodies in the Emirates

Sader’s experience and reputation had extended beyond Lebanon to the wider Middle East, making it a trusted partner in providing legal solutions for several government bodies in the United Arab Emirates. In 2007, Sader developed the national legal portal for the UAE Ministry of Justice. It also modernized the legal department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and documented the UAE’s bilateral and multilateral international agreements. In addition, Sader established the legal portal for the Abu Dhabi Government General Secretariat, automated the Official Gazette, and linked it directly to legislation.

2010 (July) Sader Strategic Partner for Global ‘LexisNexis’

Through successive strategic transformations, Sader moved closer to its goal of becoming the leading source of Arabic legal information worldwide. This vision led to a partnership with LexisNexis, a global expert in legal publishing, to launch the Lexis Middle East Legislation portal. The online search and browsing platform provide access to amended legislation, court decision summaries, and commentary on the laws of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and other Middle Eastern countries.

2010 (April) SADER in Jordan

After opening its office in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sader began working in cooperation with Al Jazi & Partners (lawyers and legal consultants) to provide jurists with access to Jordanian legislation, decisions, judicial rulings, and other legal materials. Sader also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Jordanian Judicial Council to establish an electronic portal for publishing and categorizing Jordanian court decisions, modeled on the legal databases it had previously developed in other Arab countries.

Sader Enters the Digital Printing Era

Sader was the first to introduce digital printing in Lebanon, marking a new chapter in its evolution in the art of printing.

July 2011
SADER Provides Legal Solutions for the Beirut Bar Association

Sader, in cooperation with the ‘Beirut Bar Association,’ launches the Electronic Legal Portal for the Bar Association, the first syndicate legal portal of its kind in the Arab world.

Sader Provides Legal Solutions for the Beirut Engineers Syndicate

Sader, in cooperation with the Beirut Engineers Syndicate, launched the Engineering Laws Collection in Lebanon, the most comprehensive legal encyclopedia of its kind in Lebanon and the Middle East.

Relaunching ‘The Judicial Magazine’

Sader relaunches The Judicial Magazine with a new look, expanding its scope to cover legal topics, judicial news and insights, in-depth legal research, and interviews with leading figures in law and state.

2013 (April) Making SADER Lex Available to Judges for Free

Guided by its belief in the rule of law and its commitment to corporate social responsibility, Sader, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, made the SADER Lex portal available free of charge to civil, administrative, and trainee judges across Lebanon. This electronic database enabled them to access legal information quickly and from anywhere.

January–July 2013 — Launch of the SADER Lex UAE Portal

Sader launched the SADER Lex UAE portal, which includes the federal legislation of the United Arab Emirates alongside the local legislation of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman. It also incorporates both ratified and non-ratified international agreements. The portal links legal texts with interpretations, notes, jurisprudence, explanatory memoranda, and selected scholarly opinions, creating a comprehensive and connected legal resource.

2013  Launch of the SADER Lex Portal

Sader launched the SADER Lex portal, the first of its kind in Lebanon, bringing the Laws of Lebanon collection online and integrating it with Sader’s annotated codes and interpretations, with cross-references linking related documents. Equipped with advanced search engines to broaden and facilitate research, the portal also includes collections such as Sader in Cassation, Legislation and Consultation Authority, Court of Accounts, Council of State, Sader in Jurisprudence, International Agreements, and the Official Gazette.

Launch of SADER Lex Online Legal Portal

SADER launched the Laws of Lebanon Portal, one of the first web-based legal portals in Lebanon and among the earliest in the Arab region. The platform brought together legislation from Lebanon and the UAE in a fully interconnected format, linking laws to judicial decisions, scholarly commentary, and official interpretations, making legal research faster, more reliable, and more accessible. It is known today as SADER Lex.

SADER Celebrates 150 Years

In 2013, SADER marked one hundred and fifty years of service to Arab legal culture with a ceremony held at the Beirut Bar Association. The occasion brought together ministers, members of parliament, judges, and leading figures of the legal community, who reflected on SADER’s contribution to legal knowledge and the rule of law across the region. The SADER family reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and advancing Lebanese legal culture for the generations to come.

ADER Expands to Cyprus

SADER established a presence in Cyprus, extending its reach beyond the Arab region and opening new ground for international partnerships and collaboration.

Joseph Adib Sader Honored

Joseph Adib Sader was awarded the Order of the Cedar at the rank of Knight by the President of the Republic, in recognition of his contribution to publishing and culture in Lebanon. That same year, he was re-elected President of the Lebanese Publishers’ Syndicate for a second term.

The Youssef Sader Foundation for Legal Culture

Rany Sader established the Youssef Sader Foundation for Legal Culture, the philanthropic arm of SADER Legal, dedicated to preserving Arab legal heritage and advancing the rule of law. The Foundation safeguards rare legal archives dating from the late nineteenth century and pursues initiatives in access, education, and legal innovation across the region.

Launch of SADER Unipro

SADER launched SADER Unipro, the first legal education mobile application in the Arab world, designed by law students for law students. The app gave users access to Lebanese and Arab legislation, case decisions, doctrine, and exam resources, while connecting them to career opportunities and a community of future legal professionals. SADER Unipro brought the depth of SADER’s legal knowledge directly into the hands of the next generation.

SADER Expands to Saudi Arabia

SADER established a presence in Saudi Arabia, extending its reach into the Gulf and strengthening its commitment to serving the region’s growing legal community.

Launch of Middle East Sports Law

SADER launched Middle East Sports Law, the first sports law platform in the Arab region and the first trilingual platform of its kind in the world, in Arabic, English, and French. The platform brings together judicial and arbitral decisions, legislation, articles, and resources dedicated to this fast-growing field, supported by an advisory board of leading sports lawyers from around the world. It reflects SADER’s belief in vertical knowledge and its commitment to opening emerging fields of law to wider audiences.

Launch of ALeKSy in Partnership with Diageo EMEA

SADER partnered with Diageo EMEA to launch ALeKSy, the Alcohol Legal Knowledge System, the first multimedia legal platform dedicated to beverage law in the Middle East. The platform gives users access to laws, regulations, regulatory insights and updates, government positions, legal opinions, and case decisions, supported by AI-powered legal search and analysis.

Publishing a Landmark Edition of the UAE Constitution

SADER partnered with Al Tamimi & Company to publish a luxurious print edition of the UAE Constitution, marking fifty years since its adoption. The edition brought together the constitutional text and all related judicial decisions, and was presented to honored statesmen of the UAE.

Launch of Fashion Law Arabia

SADER launched Fashion Law Arabia, the first fashion and luxury law platform in the Arab region, dedicated to intellectual property, brand protection, trade, and regulatory insight across the industry. The platform brings together a dedicated legal database, educational initiatives, and an advisory board of specialists, while convening events that unite legal practitioners and leading designers at the intersection of law and fashion.

LegalTech Evolution

SADER launched LegalTech Evolution in partnership with Zaka AI, a six-week programme equipping legal professionals with the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and blockchain. A reflection of SADER’s belief in the power of technology to shape the future of law and its commitment to preparing the region’s legal community for what lies ahead

LAITRON: SADER’s Legal AI Assistant SADER launched LAITRON, an AI-powered legal platform built in partnership with SIREN Analytics on over one million verified documents curated since 1863. Purpose-built for Arabic legal systems, it delivers multi-jurisdictional research, translation, summarisation, and agreement drafting, with every answer grounded in authoritative legal sources. It serves lawyers, institutions, and governments across the Middle East within a secure and private platform

Presenting the Lebanese Constitution Centennial Edition to the President of the Republic

In July 2025, SADER presented to the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, a distinguished limited edition of SADER’s annotated Lebanese Constitution, published in commemoration of its centennial, one hundred years after its first publication in 1926 by the late Youssef Sader in the historic Legal Journal. The edition reflects SADER’s enduring commitment to legal heritage and its dedication to serving the Republic.