Islamic finance

We have become synonymous with delivering excellence in Islamic finance and our Islamic finance expertise includes capital markets, banking regulation and documentation, project finance, real estate, leveraged property funds, development finance, trade finance, working capital facilities, Shari’ah compliant hedging and asset finance.

With offices in the key hubs of the UK, the Middle East and Malaysia, we have been advising investors on the structuring and financing of Shari’ah compliant investments across all asset classes for 25 years. Our clients include issuers and financiers, privately owned and publicly listed corporations, government entities, family offices, private equity firms and Islamic finance institutions.

We have always styled our Islamic finance practice as offering a wide range of services, drawn from a broad skill base, addressing the different needs of actors within the Islamic finance industry. We do more than just structure and process Islamic finance deals. We advise regulators such as central banks on regulatory issues, notably working closely with the Central Bank of Oman and Bank Nizwa in setting up both the regulatory environment and helping establish the first ever Islamic bank in Oman. We advise Islamic financial institutions on product development, processes and documentation, both retail and commercial. We advise on corporate governance and corporate set up. We have advised on conversions from conventional to Islamic and on numerous corporate finance/M&A deals. We feel that we support all parts of the industry from a holistic point of view. We consider that it is important that a firm and a team can bring together and understand all the elements that make up the industry. Real estate is a core part of our Islamic finance business. From build to rent and landmark mixed use projects to industrial and retail we advise across investment, development, construction, planning, environment, corporate, tax and dispute resolution. We also set up and subsequently invest on behalf of Islamic real estate funds through the full life-cycle.

We handle complex issues faced by Shari’ah compliant institutions such as financial distress, enforcement actions and internal and regulatory investigations. We have advised on numerous restructurings of distressed obligors and transactions involving significant Shari’ah compliant debtor/creditor issues.

Our thought leadership in Islamic finance means that we are able to contribute significantly to public debate and the development of the legal infrastructure for Shari’ah compliant products.

In brief

• Dedicated experts in Islamic finance across our offices.
• Extensive expertise in capital market transactions (sukuk).
• Extensive expertise in real estate transactions.
• Hands-on and client focused. Innovative and award-winning.