Linklaters

Linklaters has advised clients on transactions in the Middle East  for over 30 years. The firm has extensive experience of advising a range of government organisations and privately-owned businesses, acting on transactions throughout the MENA region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco.

We have extensive experience of advising on market-shaping deals throughout the MENA region, allowing the firm to meet the demands of leading regional and global companies and financial institutions.

Linklaters is acknowledged as a market leader for corporate/M&A, Energy and Infrastructure, project finance, capital markets, banking, real estate, funds and Islamic finance transactions. The firm’s track record includes acting on some of the most significant transactions that the region has seen in recent years.

The offices have dedicated sector specialists in the energy, infrastructure, financial institutions and telecommunications sectors. 

Recent transactions include advising:

•  the sponsors on the financing of the US$ 2bn Integrated Acrylates Complex in Jubail, Saudi Arabia
• M. H. Alshaya on the acquisition of the business and certain units of La Senza UK from its administrators by way of pre-packaged sale
• AED4,400,000,000 Islamic bank facility in favour of and US$650,000,000 Sukuk issuance by Jebel Ali Free Zone FZE to repay an existing US$2,000,000,000 Sukuk
• the lenders on a US$1.75 billion senior unsecured syndicated credit facility (comprising a conventional term facility and Islamic facilities) for Dubai Duty Free
• The joint arrangers on the refinancing of Port & Free Zone World’s existing facilities with a US$850m dual tranche Islamic wakala and conventional financing facility, which were secured over shares in DP World
• the lenders on the financing of the US$ 14bn SATORP Refinery Project in Jubail, Saudi Arabia
• the lenders on the US$ 2bn Madinah Airport Expansion Project, Saudi Arabia
• on the disposal by Lloyds TSB Bank plc of its offshore banking business in the UAE to HSBC
• on IPIC’s complete US$8bn public takeover of the Spanish company, CEPSA
• the co-ordinating committee on the multi-billion dollar restructuring of Dubai Group, one of the most complex of Dubai’s restructurings
• Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank on the financing of its disposal of RHB to Abraaj Capital

“Sources say: ‘Extremely responsive.’ ‘They are the most attuned to local legal developments’.” Chambers Global 2012, Banking and finance: UAE

“Linklaters’ ‘high-calibre’ team is a frequent presence on the region’s more groundbreaking and high-value transactions.”  Legal 500, 2011, Middle East

“maintains a privileged position in the region, with the capability to act on the full range of equity and debt capital markets issues, including Shari’a-compliant products” Chambers Global, 2012, Capital Markets, Middle East

‘They have highly experienced practitioners who are amongst the most active in the region. They are always responsive and seem to find creative but pragmatic solutions to the most complicated issues’.” Chambers Global 2012, Corporate/commercial: UAE