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

Legal Advisors, Abdulaziz I. Al-Ajlan & Partners in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited is especially active in the equity capital markets space, where it advises issuers and underwriters and is regularly instructed in major regional IPOs. Karim Nassar and Robert Eastwood are acting for Samba Capital, as underwriter, in relation to Leejam Sports Company's IPO of 30% share capital. On the issuer side, Bilal Kahlon assisted Saudi Investment Bank with the establishment of its capital sukuk programme and subsequently advised the client on a SAR1bn sukuk issuance. Ian Siddell is another key figure in the team.

The team at King & Spalding in affiliation with the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar acts across the group's Dubai and Riyadh network and has particular expertise in the establishment of sukuk programmes and publicly traded REITs. Department head Rizwan H. Kanji advised Al Bilad Capital, as arranger and initial dealer, on the establishment by Morabaha Marina Financing of a SAR400m sukuk programme. Further, James R. Stull, who has particular expertise in Saudi REIT structuring, acted for Jadwa Investment Company in relation to its establishment of a shari'ah-compliant REIT, which is the first REIT in the country that will be permitted to invest in Mecca and Medina. Also recommended is Nabil A. Issa, who is advising a Saudi healthcare company on its proposed IPO and listing on the Saudi stock exchange.

Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in association with Latham & Watkins LLP advises on a range of domestic debt and equity issuances, and also handles sukuk issuances on foreign exchanges acting in conjunction with Latham & Watkins' global network. The department is headed by Salman Al-Sudairi and recently assisted the Saudi government on the issuance of government bonds worth $12.5bn. Additionally, Dubai-based Harj Rai acted for NCB Capital in relation to Ma'aden Phosphate Company's SAR3.5bn sukuk issuance.

The Law Office of Megren M. Al-Shaalan in cooperation with White & Case has noted expertise in structured finance transactions, and has been involved in some of the market's largest Islamic and conventional capital markets deals as issuer's and underwriter's counsel. Indeed, having advised the bank syndicate on the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's 144A GMTN programme in 2016, Dubai-based Debashis Dey and London-based Ian Clark recently acted for a bank consortium in relation to an update of the programme and a further $12.5bn issuance. Another key figure is Doug Peel.

Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co. has experience of domestic and international sukuk issuances, and is also active in banking and securities litigation. The key figure in the transactional space is Asad Abedi, who advised National Commercial Bank on a private placement sukuk, and also acted as domestic counsel to ACWA Power in relation to a USD-denominated bond issuance.

Hammad Al-Mehdar & Co in alliance with Simmons & Simmons LLP's capital markets capabilities were strengthened in 2018 by the arrival of Dubai-based Lee Irvine from Latham & Watkins LLP. Irvine specialises in debt capital markets deals and handles Saudi-facing capital markets transactions alongside Ahmed Butt, who practices across the firm's Riyadh and Jeddah offices.

Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni In association with Dechert LLP is jointly led by legal adviser Rahul Goswami and counsel Husum El Khatib, who have experience advising international financial institutions on the Saudi regulatory aspects of establishing Saudi investment and trading activities. Further, the team has advised on conventional and Islamic debt issuances and has acted for public companies and corporates contemplating IPOs.

Shearman & Sterling LLP in association with Dr Sultan Almasoud & Partners is particularly active in the equity capital markets space, where it advises clients in the insurance and industrial sectors on private and public offerings and employee share option plans. The practice is jointly headed by Sanjarbek Abdukhalilov and Sultan Almasoud, who advised Al Baha Investment and Development Company on a capital reduction exercise, and also assisted the client with its acquisition of Elegant Centers, which was funded by new equity issuances. The team also advised clients including L’Oréal and Thales on the implementation of new employee share option plans in Saudi Arabia.