Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Banking and finance in Kuwait

Al Markaz Law Firm

Ayman Nada leads the banking team at Al Markaz Law Firm, and brings over two decades of experience acting on behalf of investment banks, brokerage firms, investment funds, private equity entities, and institutional investors in group restructurings, refinancing matters and acquisition structures. Nazih Hameed is well versed in represented borrowers and lenders in debt recovery matters, project finance mandates, secured lending and refinancing work, with a key focus on the power, infrastructure and energy sectors.

Practice head(s):

Ayman Nada


Other key lawyers:

Nazih Hameed


Al Tamimi & Company

Al Tamimi & Company excels in advising on a broad range of banking and finance matters, including project finance, trade finance, Islamic finance, derivatives and debt capital markets work. Practice head Omar Handoush is a key name for financing transactions. Senior counsel Madhurima Basu assists with derivative transactions, and Yomna El Shibawy has experience handling Shariah-compliant transactional matters.

Practice head(s):

Omar Handoush


Other key lawyers:

Madhurima Basu; Yomna El Shibawy


Testimonials

‘The various lawyers I have dealt with at the firm are very professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and very importantly, responsive, and they provide a high-quality and timely work product.’

‘Omar Handoush is indispensable to the team and to our business; he is extremely available, responsive, flexible, and understands our business needs.’

‘Madhurima Basu and Yomna El Shibawy have always been extremely responsive.’

Key clients

Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait


Standard Chartered Bank


Morgan Stanley


JP Morgan


Korea Development Bank


HSBC


Goldman Sachs


First Abu Dhabi Bank


Commercial Bank of Kuwait


Warba Bank


Emirates NBD


National Bank of Kuwait


Industrial and Commercial Bank of China


Kuwait Finance House


BNP Paribas


Barclays


Lulu Group International


Work highlights


  • Advised Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait K.S.C.P. (DIFC Branch) on a US$ 825m term loan facility.
  • Advised the lenders, including Standard Chartered Bank, on a US$ 525m term loan facility provided to Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) K.S.C.P.
  • Advised Burgan Bank on a US$ 500m term loan facility.

ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners

ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners' banking and finance practice 'stands out as a beacon of excellence in Kuwait', and the team's 'unwavering dedication and meticulous approach have cemented their reputation as the crème de la crème'. The sizeable group is home to senior partner Sam Habbas, Rob Little, Ibrahim Sattout, Ezekiel Tuma and John Cunha; the quintet's expertise spans bilateral and syndicated financing, private equity matters, project finance, trade finance and Islamic finance. Tuma has particular expertise in handling acquisition financing and restructuring mandates, and Little is singled out for his strength in assisting with securities and Sukuk transactions. In the capital markets space, Cunha is instructed by issuers, arrangers and underwriters on debt capital markets transactions.

Practice head(s):

Sam Habbas; Rob Little; Ibrahim Sattout; Ezekiel Tuma; John Cunha


Testimonials

‘Great technical ability and good problem solvers.’

‘Rob Little and John Cunha are excellent technically and always willing to find practical solutions to a given problem.’

‘ASAR have been working on capital markets transactions for many years. They are very familiar with the bond and loan products. They respect timetables and are always available to assist.’

‘Very professional, knowledgeable, experienced, and dependable.’

‘The firm’s banking and finance practice stands out as a beacon of excellence in Kuwait, consistently setting the gold standard for legal advisory services. Their unwavering dedication and meticulous approach have cemented their reputation as the crème de la crème among Kuwait’s legal advisors. The team is not only revered by their clients but is also held in high esteem by regulators, showcasing the breadth and depth of their influence in the industry. They have played a pivotal role in shaping the legal ecosystem for bonds and sukuk in Kuwait, further establishing them as the preferred legal firm for the finance and banking sector.’

‘In my interactions with Robert Little and John Cunha, their profound expertise and commitment have always been evident. They are not only at the top of their game but also command immense respect from regulators and peers alike. Robert’s precision and comprehensive knowledge, complemented by John’s strategic insights, make them an unbeatable duo. Their ability to stay ahead of the curve, anticipate challenges, and devise proactive solutions has made them invaluable partners. Their seminal role in establishing the legal framework for bonds and Sukuk, combined with their unmatched track record, cements their position as leaders and the go-to legal advisors in the finance and banking industry.’

Key clients

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC


Ahli United Bank B.S.C.


Citibank


Emirates NBD Bank PJSC


HSBC Bank Middle East Limited


Kuwait Finance House


National Bank of Kuwait


First Abu Dhabi Bank


Standard Chartered


Warba Bank


Gulf Bank


Arab Banking Corporation (B.S.C.)


JPMorgan Chase Bank


Gulf Investment Corporation


Macquarie Air Finance Group Limited


Boubyan Bank


Work highlights


  • Advising Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) K.S.C.P. as issuer and Kamco Investment Company K.S.C.(Public) and Gulf Bank K.S.C.P. as joint lead managers on a KD165,000,000 bonds (due December 2028).
  • Acting as counsel to KIPCO on a landmark issuance of KD103 million by Kuwait Projects Company Sukuk Limited.
  • Advised a consortium of banks on arranging financing for Burgan Bank K.S.C.P. worth $800,000,000.

Al Oula Law Firm (Adel Abdulhadi & Partners)

Banking expert Fayez Al Dosari is the key practitioner at Al Oula Law Firm (Adel Abdulhadi & Partners), which advises on Islamic finance, capital markets, debt restructuring and banking regulatory matters. Banking litigation is an increasing area of focus for the practice.

Practice head(s):

Fayez Al Dosari


Meysan Partners

Meysan Partners' capital markets practice is home to a team with established strength in handling large IPOs, securitisations, convertible bonds and hybrid securities. The group is adept at representing financial institutions and issuers in mandates. Tarek Yehya and Abdul Aziz Al Yaqout co-head the department; Abdulwahab Sadeq and the 'very knowledgeable' senior associate Lama Abou Ali are singled out for their contributions.

Practice head(s):

Abdul Aziz Al Yaqout; Tarek Yehya


Other key lawyers:

Abdulwahab Sadeq; Lama Abou Ali


Testimonials

‘Lama Abou Ali: very knowledgeable, responsive, provides clear legal advice and guidance.’