We advise domestic and international banks, financial institutions, borrowers and investors on a range of matters including, structured finance, capital markets, investment products, acquisition finance, asset finance, and treasury products and transactions.
We have particular expertise in advising on raising project finance through the use of Islamic financing structures, including Ijara, Ijara Mawsufah Fi Al Dhimmah, Istisna’a, Mudaraba and Musharaka.
We regularly assist Islamic financial institutions and work alongside Shari’a and Fatwa Boards to finalise and approve Islamic finance structures. We have long standing working relationships with the leading Shari’a scholars in the region, which puts us in a unique position to assist our clients in obtaining Shari’a approval for financing structures which are tailored to meet their specific needs.
The team has substantial experience in drafting Shari’a compliant documentation. We have drafted the standard Islamic finance documents for a number of regional Islamic banks including Ajman Bank.
In addition to advising banks and financial institutions, we have also advised borrowers and issuers, with regard to Shari’a complaint Islamic structuring and documentation (including security documentation).
Our Islamic finance team includes US and UK qualified lawyers, who, in addition to Islamic finance, have experience of working on conventional loan financing with leading international law firms. We are regularly instructed to assist on dual tranche transactions involving both conventional and Islamic financing.
Advised one of the lenders in the US$520 million Thuraya Satellite financing, involving both conventional and Islamic tranches (including a US$220 million Ijara Mawsufah fi al Dhimmah structure).
Advised the lenders on the AED 300 million dual tranche conventional and Islamic facilities to the Fujairah National Group (including a AED 100 million Musharaka Islamic facility).
Advised a syndicate of banks on the restructuring of AED 295 million dual-tranche facilities (Term Loan and Ijara) to three UAE companies.
Advised a UAE Bank in respect of conventional term loan facility and an Islamic facility to finance the construction and expansion of three hospitals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Advised a local bank in a syndicated loan transaction that is structured partly as a conventional facility and partly as an Islamic Murabaha facility for establishment and operation of fitness centers in multiple jurisdictions in the Middle East in which the security was perfected in five jurisdictions.
Advised an Islamic Bank on its exposure under Istisha finance agreements.
Acted for the borrower in a AED 2.5 billion refinancing of existing facilities and acquisition of shares in three companies. The financing was used to develop and upgrade a number of prominent hotels in the UAE.
Acted on behalf of the borrower, a subsidiary of a major airline, on a US$48 million refinancing of flight simulators through sale and leaseback structure.
Advised a syndicate of banks on a EUR 595 million facility. We acted as UAE counsel to the lenders involving multiple jurisdictions.
Acted on behalf of the borrower, a subsidiary of a major airline, on a US$48 million refinancing of flight simulators through sale and leaseback structure.
Advised a syndicate of five GCC banks on the restructuring of dual tranche, consisting of a term loan and a Murabaha facility, and on equity financing from a private equity firm based in Abu Dhabi.
Advised the lender on a US$50 million multi tranche asset finance facility to a prominent shipping company, to finance the construction and acquisition of four vessels.
Advised a syndicate of banks on AED 290 million dual-tranche facilities (Term Loan and Master Istisna’a / Master Ijara) to finance the building of a new hospital and medical university.
Advised a syndicate of banks on a US$75 million and AED 55 million dual-tranche facilities (Term Loan and Master Sukuk Murabaha) to finance the construction of a PTP plant in Belgium.
