Corporate

Our corporate group provides top-tier advice for the region, for international and regional industrial and commercial companies, financial service institutions, investment funds, governments and individuals. Our lawyers thrive on complex transactions, often with significant regulatory and litigation issues.

BANKING AND FINANCE

Our arbitration practice is recognised as one of the leading names in the region and, more recently, the UK. Our lawyers have been involved in numerous Investor-State arbitrations, as counsel or arbitrator. We have consistently achieved important victories in some of the most notable regional and international arbitration cases. Whilst we can evidence a diverse range of experience in every conceivable kind of arbitration, we specialise in sovereign-related disputes, particularly those arising under international treaties for the protection of investments. We have a deep understanding of the political, financial and legal issues that affect Investor-State disputes, and an impressively high success rate -best illustrated by a high number of clients who trust us – time and time again. Our lawyers also have extensive experience in international arbitrations under the laws of a variety of different countries, and we have successfully represented clients in arbitrations under a variety of arbitral rules, and our matters frequently involve the coordination of proceedings in multiple jurisdictions and multinational discovery.

CAPITAL MARKETS

Our lawyers regularly represent clients in some of the most sophisticated and innovative capital-raising transactions in the region. Not only are they able to navigate the complex regulatory regimes in the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, they have often shaped the legislation and regulations that were designed to enhance the growth of the region’s capital markets. We represent both issuers and investment banks with the full range of securities offerings, from IPOs, privatisation of state-owned industries and private placements of securities to debt and equity derivative securities, asset-backed offerings and investment grade financings. We also advise clients on regulatory compliance, and corporate governance issues, and the evolving government regulations affecting capital markets activities.

M&A

For us, successful M&A is all about bringing a deep understanding of our clients’ business needs to every deal. We represent a broad range of multinational and domestic companies and financial institutions in not only the region’s largest mergers and acquisitions but also many first-of-their-kind transactions. Plus, whilst we truly excel in regional deals, we can also seamlessly handle cross-border transactions too, drawing on the full resources of the firm to coordinate efforts with our capital markets, commercial and regulatory, and banking and finance partners.

PROJECT FINANCE

We excel in helping clients craft sophisticated solutions to issues in all major industries in the region, from initial financing and restructuring to project M&A, sovereign and project restructurings, political risk insurance, and other novel split-risk arrangements. We work with a diverse range of clients, from suppliers, contractors, sponsors and lenders, right through to export credit agencies, off-take purchasers and advisors. Our teams have advised on the development and financing of some of the most cutting-edge projects in the region, from public-private partnerships, acquisitions and divestitures to private equity investments, debt restructurings, tax equity transactions and the resolution of political risk claims and investment disputes.

Insights

Economic Liberalization in Kuwait: Welcome, Foreign Investors
Economic Liberalization in Kuwait: Welcome, Foreign Investors
January 22, 2024

The business and economic landscape of Kuwait just changed. With the ratification of the first law of 2024: Law Regarding the Amendment of Article 24 of the Commercial Law and Article 31 of the Public Tenders Law (1/2024) (the “Foreign Company Amendments Law”) on 21 January 2024, foreign companies now… Read more

New premium residencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
New premium residencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
January 15, 2024

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of groundbreaking premium residency options. Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Alkassabi, Chairman of the Premium Residency Center announced five distinctive categories—special talent, gifted, investor, entrepreneur, and real estate owner residencies. This strategic move, harmonizing with Vision 2030's objectives, positions Saudi Arabia as… Read more

The Egyptian Competition Authority Sharpens its Teeth in Light of Government Strategy
The Egyptian Competition Authority Sharpens its Teeth in Light of Government Strategy
December 20, 2023

The Egyptian Competition Authority (the “ECA”) has traditionally been known for its aggressive stance towards historically tolerated anti- competitive acts. To live up to its slogan, “a stronger economy…for a better life”, it recently began shifting its focus to awareness-raising (in parallel with enforcement), a much-needed step in a market… Read more

Banking and Finance team

Adel Alasousi
Adel Alasousi
Senior Associate
KUWAIT