Middle East

Our clients range from high net worth individuals, international construction and engineering companies, owner-managed and family businesses to major Sovereign Wealth Funds. We also have close associations with local law firms, especially in the Gulf Co-operation Council countries.

Our expertise covers a wide range of transactional matters, both in the UK and cross-border, but with a particular emphasis on commercial, corporate and property investment issues. We also advise on various aspects of Islamic finance and, in particular, on establishing compliant structures and working with financial institutions that specialise in this area.

We have advised on a number of construction, energy, infrastructure, oil and gas projects throughout the Middle East and North Africa and are currently instructed on various international arbitrations under the LCIA Rules relating to substantial oil refinery construction works in the region. We have also been involved in DIFC, UNCITRAL, ICC and ICSID arbitrations in the Middle East.

• £100m fund – established for Saudi family office to invest through Shari’ah compliant structures in UK commercial property assets.
• High net worth Middle Eastern investor – acquisition of a portfolio of 60 residential properties in the UK for c£25m.
• International bank – US$85m Shari’ah compliant financing of major residential and commercial properties in London.
• Air Royale International – various matters, including a local representation and agency agreement and amendments to their standard terms of business in line with UK law.
• International drinks manufacturer – £100m increase in capital into the Middle East operation of an international fizzy drinks manufacturer.
• International group led by a Saudi investor – acquisition of an offshore company structure for approx £140m where the sole asset was a derelict Knightsbridge hotel.
• Middle Eastern family trust – structuring and acquisition of property portfolios with an aggregate value of £200m+.
• Private investor group – series of major acquisitions of a number of Middle Eastern infrastructure companies (value £100m+), including related tax structuring.
• Middle Eastern claimant – US$35m claim against a Swiss bank.
• Taj Dubai Hotel – acting for an investment fund in relation to the purchase of the Taj Dubai Hotel in the Burj Khalifa district, Dubai; the financing of the construction of the hotel by a consortium of UAE banks; and its operation and management arrangements with Taj Group.
• Kuwaiti investor – acquisition of a legal services outsourcing business.
• Saudi family office – advising on its UK property portfolio.
• Jindal Steel & Power Limited – ongoing arbitration relating to the sale of 12 river barges and ongoing litigation for its UAE subsidiary concerning an Omani gas plant.