The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Saudi Arabia > Capital markets

Legal Advisors, Abdulaziz I. Al-Ajlan & Partners in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited has expertise in both debt and equity capital markets. Karim Nassar, who is a key name for equity capital markets, and Robert Eastwood, advised Arabian Centres Company on its $748m IPO. Ian Siddell assisted Almarai Company with its $2bn issuance of sukuk bonds. Other notable names include Mohammad Al Rasheed, who works on ECM, and Nick Church, who is highly experienced in DCM.

Khoshaim & Associates in cooperation with Allen & Overy LLP has handled a number of high-profile equity and debt capital markets matters recently. Managing partner Zeyad Khoshaim leads the practice and advised HSBC Saudi Arabia as sole arranger on Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company's SAR11bn issuance of sukuk bonds. He also assisted Saudi International Petrochemical Co with its acquisition of Sahara Petrochemical Co in an all-share deal valued at just over $2bn.

King & Spalding in affiliation with the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar focuses its practice on major public offerings and sukuk issuances. Practice head James R. Stull splits his time between the firm's Riyadh and Dubai offices, and is a key name for equity capital markets. He recently advised Al Rajhi Capital on the public offering of its subsidiary Al Rajhi REIT on the Saudi stock exchange. Debt capital markets is a speciality of Dubai-based Nabil A. Issa, who assisted Al Bilad Capital with its SAR500m sukuk issuance.

The Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan in cooperation with White & Case is a popular choice for major financial institutions including J.P. Morgan, Citi and HSBC, as well as major domestic companies Saudi Aramco and Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company. Sami E. Al-Louzi is a key name in the market for IPOs; he advised Leejam Sports Company on its SAR817m IPO which was listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange.

Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co. is a key name for sukuk issuances, securities disputes and regulatory compliance. Practice head Asad Abedi recently advised National Commercial Bank on the early redemption of sukuk bonds. Andreas Haberbeck handles contentious matters; he acted for Citicorp Trustee Company in a dispute against Saad Trading and Maan Al Sanea in relation to a default under a sukuk bond.

Al Tamimi & Company is particularly strong in equity capital markets, with Dubai-based Andrew Tarbuck leads the firm's Middle East ECM team. Also based in Dubai is Izabella Szadkowska who advised DM Healthcare on its share offering to US and Indian investors.

AlDhabaan & Partners in association with Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is highly experienced in handling initial public offerings. Fahad AlDehais AlMalki heads the team and advised Nayifat Finance Company on its IPO.

Hammad Al-Mehdar & Co in alliance with Simmons & Simmons LLP's practice is led by Dubai-based Lee Irvine, who is an expert in both conventional and Islamic debt capital markets matters. Islamic finance expert Ahmed Butt is a key figure in the Riyadh office.

Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni In association with Dechert LLP has been active recently advising on IPOs, capital market authority registrations, as well as capital market security transactions. Counsel Husam El-Khatib is the key name to note.

Shearman & Sterling in association with the Law Firm of Dr. Sultan Almasoud has been advising Sukuk programmes and employee stock purchase plans. The team is led by Sanjarbek Abdukhalilov and Sultan Almasoud who together advised Jabal Omar Development Company on its SAR 2 billion Sukuk programme through a private placement. Both partners also assisted EssilorLuxottica with its employee stock purchase plan.