Firm Profile > Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants > Manama , Bahrain

Banking and finance Tier 1

Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants is instructed by public sector organisations, bank lenders and private borrowers. Name partner Qays H Zu’bi is assisting the Bahrain Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Bahrain with one $1.25bn issuance and another $900m issuance of state bonds due 2029 and 2047, respectively. Also in the capital markets space, the team advised an oil and gas Company on the establishment of a $3bn global medium-term note programme. Additionally, Zu'bi and Naveen Thakur acted as Bahraini counsel to the State Bank of India in relation to a $250m facility agreement between HDFC Bank and the client, which acted through its Bahraini branch. Also recommended are Hatim Q. Zu’bi and Dareen Abdul Rahim, who was promoted to junior partner in May 2017.

Dispute resolution Tier 1

Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants has experience in litigation, arbitration and enforcement procedures, and is regularly involved in various commercial contract disputes. Qays H Zu’bi, Mamoon El Tayeb and Hamid Al Mahmood are instructed by clients from a wide range of industry sectors, including construction and engineering, entertainment, and banking and financial services.

Legal market overview Tier 1

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants handles M&A and a range of commercial contract matters, including joint venture arrangements and distribution, licensing, outsourcing and franchise agreements, particularly in the e-commerce, telecoms and aviation industries. Moreover, the team has experience of financial restructuring and insolvency, and employment law. Contacts include Qays H Zu’bi  and Naveen Thakur.

Islamic finance Tier 2

Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants specialises in structuring, documenting and negotiating shari'ah-compliant transactions, including sukuk issuances, project finance and Islamic fund structuring. Qays H Zu’bi and Naveen Thakur acted for Ahli United Bank in relation to the restructuring of a $117m commodity murabaha facility with Ithmaar Bank. The team is also advising Al Baraka Banking Group on the Bahraini marketing and distribution aspects of a $400m issuance of shari'ah-compliant capital certificates.

Real estate and construction Tier 2

Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants has expertise in construction disputes, property lease agreements and other corporate real estate transactions. Senior partner Qays H Zu’bi heads the practice group, Eman Omar has experience of construction and real estate disputes, and Hatim Q. Zu’bi advises on a range of corporate and securities matters. The team is instructed by private individuals, construction companies, developers and investors, and real estate asset managers.

Projects and energy Tier 3

Zu'bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants is instructed by government-held entities, banks and private-sector energy and infrastructure companies. The team handles project finance mandates in relation to power plant developments and renewable energy projects, and also provides ongoing corporate and securities advice to a number of power and energy companies. Name partner Qays H Zu’bi, Naveen Thakur and recently promoted partner Dareen Abdul Rahim advised an oil and gas company on a $3bn debt issuance under the client's global medium-term note programme.

Diversity/Community

We thrive on diversity at Zu’bi & Partners, Attorneys & Legal Consultants. Our team of lawyers are as diverse as our clients. They come from major international law firms and are members of local and international bar associations. Our lawyers are multicultural and multilingual. They understand the needs of our clients, and act not only as legal representatives but as trusted business advisors. All our lawyers are able to provide clients with clear, efficient advice based on a real understanding of the issues and the local laws.

Our firm strives to cultivate a workplace where inclusiveness, mutual respect and professionalism are standard. It is our mission to build upon our 96 years old family history and commitment to law to diversity to foster an environment where people of all races, genders, religious affiliations and cultural heritage are equal and encouraged and inspired to fulfil their potential to grow within the firm and partner with clients.

Client Testimonials

COMPANY/FIRM: Standard Chartered Bank

TESTIMONIAL: We have worked closely with Zu’bi & Partners for many years and consider them to be a close partner, assisting us with the legal process from start to finish and providing advice when appropriate. They always look to find solutions and ease the process as much as possible”

CLIENT: Executive Board Member – Head of Middle East

COMPANY/FIRM: Financial Institution

TESTIMONIAL: Having known and worked with Zu’bi & Partners and notably with Eman Omar for over 7 years, I have learned to rely on her and her Team as a legal expert, strategic counsel and trusted advisor.

Eman, and the law firm’s approach has always been very efficient and effective, available at all times whilst maintaining a friendly and professional attitude.

I have recently moved to a new financial institution and had absolutely no hesitation in referring Zu’bi & Partners as our law firm in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Qays H. Zu`bi, the Managing Partner, and Eman, exceptional knowledge of the domestic and international legal system along with their availability at all times, all contribute to a strong and valued relationship to my organization.

COMPANY/FIRM: Bracewell (UK) LLP

TESTIMONIAL: We have worked closely with Hamza Saleem and his colleagues at Zu’bi & Partners on Bahraini financings for a number of years, and we value and appreciate their clear and timely advice. We enjoy working with them as they help us to give our clients the best possible advice.

CLIENT: Paul Holmes, Managing Director

COMPANY/FIRM: Al Futtaim Willis Co. LLC

TESTIMONIAL: We are a Joint Venture company in the Insurance and Consulting field and we have been dealing with Zu’bi & Partners in Bahrain for a few years now. We have consistently received quality legal advice and guidance on a range of topics. Their commitment to providing us with quality technical advice and guidance in a timely manner is refreshing, providing us with a degree of confidence for the areas in which we seek advice.  

CLIENT: Project Director

COMPANY/FIRM: Tecnicas Reunidas

TESTIMONIAL: We started working with Zu’bi and Partners as a professional and unique team work. We appreciated the proactive and genuine approach in problem solving and close follow up of any activities requested to develop our business in the Kingdom. We have created a strong relationship and integrated team. Each goal has been reached successfully.  

COMPANY/FIRM: AMA University

TESTIMONIAL:
Zu’bi and Partners has been our external legal adviser in Bahrain from our company’s inception in 2003.  We have been fully satisfied with the excellent services of this firm as manifested by their professional, knowledgeable and approachable team of Hamid Al Mahmood, Hamza Saleem and Omar Manassaki who have guided us across the years.  The firm has advised us with a balanced legal perspective with commercial understanding for our various transactions from corporate restructuring to financing to mergers and acquisition.   Our transaction partners, whether in Bahrain or from other Middle East countries, are often surprised that their battery of legal counsels can be handled superbly by a lean but mean team from Zu’bi as our counsel.  I will not think twice to recommend Zu’bi and Partners.

COMPANY/FIRM: Rolls Royce

TESTIMONIAL: Zu’bi & Partners are always highly responsive and adaptive to our legal needs.  They are highly professional and able to accommodate tight deadlines.

COMPANY/FIRM: DLA Piper Middle East LLP

TESTIMONIAL: We worked with Zu’bi & Partners last year on the Al Ezzel refinancing in Bahrain, where Zu’bi & Partners acted for the new banks in respect of the local law aspects of the refinancing.  I was very impressed with Hamza Saleemand the rest of the team, particularly in relation to their prompt responses and for organizing a complex signing and closing with regards to the local law security aspects of the transaction.

COMPANY/FIRM: International Law Firm

TESTIMONIAL: As you know we have been working with Zubi & Partners for nearly 14 years or so. We have found the firm to be very helpful and responsive to our local law requirements for our clients in Bahrain and internationally. In particular, we have a great relationship with Hamza Saleem who is our go to person at the firm. Hamza is technically very good, always helpful, responsive and available to assist us at all times. 

COMPANY/FIRM: Latham & Watkins

TESTIMONIAL: “We worked with Zu’bi & Partners on a refinancing transaction and they provided a consistently high level of service throughout. We benefited in particular from Hamza Saleem’s technically strong advice, which was also pragmatic and solutions-oriented.”