Banking and Islamic Finance

We advise and execute on the structuring and documentation of commercial and corporate financing, covering syndicated loans, leveraged acquisition finance, trade finance, working capital facilities and asset or stock acquisition financing. The practice handles project finance, structured real-estate finance, securitizations and joint-venture financing as well as private equity, mezzanine finance, NPL pool acquisitions, distressed debt portfolios and cross-border financial structuring.

We structure, draft and execute Shariah-compliant financing arrangements, including Murabaha, Ijarah, Musharaka, Mudarabah, Bai’ Salam, Istisna’a and other treasury products. Advisory extends to Islamic mortgages, home-financing solutions, liquidity management, project and working-capital financing as well as the establishment of Islamic banks and Shariah-compliant treasury products, including currency set-off agreements. The practice also advises on Shariah governance frameworks, Shariah supervision agreements, special employment of scholars and ongoing compliance oversight.

We advise on conventional and Shariah-compliant investment funds, including structuring, establishment and fund management under Islamic contracts. The practice ensures Shariah governance, regulatory compliance and back-office documentation support. In insurance, we provide regulatory advisory, policy dispute guidance and counsel on life insurance, annuities and surety instruments.

We advise fintech operators on licensing, sandbox entry, operational structuring and regulatory compliance. Services include guidance on digital payments, e-wallets and transition from sandbox operations to full regulatory approval. We also provide advice on AML, KYC, cybersecurity, outsourcing compliance and operational governance for fintech and digital finance institutions.

The practice represents clients in enforcement, debt recovery and financial disputes, including mortgage enforcement, foreclosure and execution proceedings. We manage cross-border lender recovery, investigations and bailiff services as well as regulatory litigation. The practice also provides advisory and representation in corporate restructurings, creditor or debtor matters and liquidity crisis management.

We provide advisory on Islamic capital markets, including Sukuk structuring, issuance, implementation and guidance to underwriters and issuers. The practice structures Sukuk under Ijarah, Mudarabah and Musharaka and advises on Shariah-compliant securitizations, including lease-backed and innovative Hawala-based structures. Services also include legislative drafting and guidance on sovereign Sukuk frameworks.

We assist clients with legal and regulatory support for operational setup and corporate governance. This includes drafting shareholders’ agreements, board charters and vendor contracts as well as corporate registration, amendments, notarisation, translations and regulatory filings. The practice also advises on office documentation, hiring of compliance or legal officers and establishment of AML/CFT policies.