Trowers & Hamlins LLP > Manama, Bahrain > Firm Profile

Trowers & Hamlins LLP
BAHRAIN WORLD TRADE CENTER, 7TH FLOOR
SHERATON COMMERCIAL COMPLEX
PO BOX 3012, MANAMA
Bahrain

Bahrain > Banking and finance (including Islamic finance) Tier 1

Underlining its credentials as a market-leader, Trowers & Hamlins LLP has a strong track record in big-ticket conventional and Islamic finance matters, as well as capital markets transactions. Led by managing partner Jeremy Ingham, the practice is highly active in transactional work and regulatory compliance advice to clients. Salman Ahmed in Oman leads the firm's Islamic finance practice in the region. Bilal Kahlon's practice has gained momentum since his arrival from Baker & McKenzie Limited in Janaury 2020, with him winning a number of key mandates.

Practice head(s):

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Trowers have never failed to impress us with their in-depth knowledge of and expertise in Islamic financing. The team is always accessible and their tactful yet cordial approach when it comes to negotiation helps in attaining the desired outcome while maintaining our relationship with the counterparties untarnished.’

A great team who are knowledgeable, commercial, friendly and approachable.’

Honesty, clarity, beyond the engagement, friendly, always available and diligent.

Key clients

GFH Financial Group

Central Bank of Bahrain

National Bank of Bahrain

Citibank BBK B.S.C.

Al Salam Bank B.S.C.

Ahli United Bank B.S.C.

Bahrain Development Bank BSC

First Energy Bank B.S.C

Bahrain Steel B.S.C

Kuwait Finance House B.S.C

Venture Capital Bank B.S.C

Bank Muscat

Arab Banking Corporation

Al Salam Bank Bahrain

Shariyah Review Bureau

Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC

Mizuho Bank Ltd, Labuan Branch

Gulf International Bank B.S.C

Work highlights

  • Advised Bank ABC and NBB (as joint lead arrangers and bookrunners) on the drafting, negotiating andfinalising of an amended and restated facility agreement for each of four Oman-based energy company.
  • Assisting Bank ABC as lead arranger and a syndicate of other leading Bahraini and regional banks (including Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, National Bank of Bahrain, Mashreqbank, Arab Bank and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank) in relation to amendments to separate financings to four leading power companies in Oman.
  • Advised Bahrain Steel on all of their financings enabling them to continue operating the world’s only fully integrated single site steel manufacturing facility.

Bahrain > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

At Trowers & Hamlins LLP, the corporate practice is led by Brian Howard in Manama. Its work encompasses nvestments, capital markets transactions, real estate mixed-use developments and regulatory matters. The group has a long-established market presence in the Kingdom and is also active across the Gulf region. Howard's team includes Dominic O’Neil, who is a co-head of the global private equity practice.

Practice head(s):

Brian Howard

Other key lawyers:

Dominic O’Neil

Bahrain > Real estate and construction Tier 1

At Trowers & Hamlins LLP, Abdul-Haq Mohammed heads up the real estate and infrastructure practice, which is active in complex development projects, investment matters and PPP work. The group operates across the GCC region and works in close contact with the construction team based in Dubai; managing partner Cheryl Cairns is the contact there and is recommended for contentions construction issues. Associate Unkar Chanian in Bahrain advises on commercial property matters and regulatory work.

Practice head(s):

Abdul-Haq Mohammed

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Bahrain Airport Company B.S.C.

Riffa Views B.S.C (c)

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Diyar Al Muharraq W.L.L.

Naseej B.S.C.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)

Veolia Energy Gulf

Bahrain Bay Development

Durrat Khaleej Al Bahrain

Ithmaar Development Company

GFH Financial Group

Al Kifah Group of Companies

Work highlights

  • Advising Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Bahrain (RCSI) on the optimal contractual strategy and procurement process for the construction and operation of solar rooftop panels at its campus as part of the University’s and Bahrain’s drive towards sustainability.
  • Advising, in consortium with Ernst & Young and Mott McDonald, Roads & Transport Authority of Dubai, on the outsourcing of the Operation and Maintenance of the public bus network.
  • Advising energy supplier Veolia and its subsidiary Bahrain Bay Utilities on a range of matters relating to its activities in Bahrain and the UAE, particularly Abu Dhabi, on the drafting and negotiating of new district cooling concession and supply agreements for the extension to The Avenues Mall in Bahrain.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation

Trowers & Hamlins LLP's dispute resolution practice covers shareholder disputes, banking and finance disputes, fraud and investigations. Practice head Matthew Showler has substantial arbitration experience and is frequently instructed on disputes involving high-net-worth individuals and allegations of fraud. Cheryl Cairns is the primary point of contact for contentious construction disputes. Karie Akeelah is also noted and specialises in contentious construction matters and international arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Matthew Showler; Cheryl Cairns

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The collaboration across the team is exceptional.’

‘They are able to draw upon a deep bench of varied capabilities quickly and efficiently.’

‘Very commercially minded.’

‘This team is fantastic for my case. Each team members are specialized to each separate issues.’

‘Matthew Showler provided unique and efficient strategy for my case. He understands very clearly the whole situation and could find out a proper solution to go ahead.’

‘They pay attention to detail. This point should not be underestimated.’

‘This is the second time I work with Trowers & Hamlins based on a great first experience. This is a new team on a different assignment in a different capacity for myself and they have met the same standard throughout the firm.’

‘The legal team at Trowers and Hamlins LLP, in our instance led by Matthew Showler is critical to our dispute resolution and arbitration matters.’

Key clients

SpaceCom International LLC

Nouri Al Saleh

Sandra Holdings Ltd

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)

Jonathan Ing

His Excellency Sadiq Marafi

John Cockerill Group

AAL Group Ltd

Indus International FZC

Tushar Ruia

First Energy Bank BSC (c)

The Administrators of The International Banking Corporation

NEBA Financial Solutions

Dubai Islamic Insurance and Reinsurance AMAN (PSC)

Partners Group

Bahrain Development Bank and Al Waha Venture Capital Fund

Syndigate Media Inc

Ferrovial Agroman Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised the Administrator of The International Banking Corporation in its claims against Ahmed Hamad Algosaibi Brothers Company (AHAB) worth $2.5bn and involving highly complex multi-jurisdictional proceedings.
  • Representing Sadiq Marafi in his claim against his ex wife and associated family companies for over EUR 150m involving proceedings across a number of jurisdictions and in which a worldwide freezing order has been obtained for the client.
  • Acting for Tushar Ruia and his company Indus International FZC against Indus Thermal LLC, Nihar Ruia and Danvita India (PVT) Ltd in cross-border proceedings involving DIFC, Dubai, Texas and Mumbai and involving claims now totalling c. $100m.

United Arab Emirates > Construction

Trowers & Hamlins LLP has an 'excellent' construction team that covers contentious and non-contentious matters. Cheryl Cairns heads the practice and is 'an exceptional litigator and arbitrator'. Karie Akeelah is 'a stand out construction disputes lawyer' and has extensive experience advising in the region with clients in both the private and public sectors.

Practice head(s):

Cheryl Cairns

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Cheryl Cairns is an exceptional litigator and arbitrator. She conducts her cases in an efficient, cost effective and tactically astute manner.’

‘Great local connections, entrusted with heavy disputes by long term clients.’

‘Cheryl Cairns is an experienced litigator with a cool, calm approach, who knows how to get great results for her clients. April Baynes is an associate to watch – a star in the making.’

‘Whilst hard work and diligence is the mainstay for all successful legal practices, Trowers and Hamlins are seemingly able to always remain calm under pressure and maintain a good sense of humour during the most challenging of times. In doing so, they never loose focus. A breath of fresh air.’

‘Cheryl Cairns and April Baynes are a formidable team, working together to provide not only an excellent legal product but also offering on point and timely strategic advice that helps in management of both the legal process and the expectations of the business.’

‘The team has an in-depth knowledge of construction technical issues.’

‘Karie Akeelah is a stand out construction disputes lawyer in the region. She is massively committed to her clients and works well with the client and expert teams. A real leader.’

‘The team are very pragmatic, they take a hands on approach and have no problem in tackling the difficult issues with the client and the experts. Their approach is very refreshing.’

Key clients

Shuaibah Water and Electricity Co (SWEC)

Shuaibah Expansion Project Company (SEPCO)

Shuqaiq Water and Electricity Co. (SqWEC)

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
International Banking and Finance Jeremy Ingham
International Corporate Brian Howard
International Dispute Resolution and Litigation Deborah Howard
International Banking and Finance Bilal Khalon
International Infrastructure and Real Estate Abdulhaq Mohammed
International Corporate Dominic O'Neil
International Infrastructure and Real Estate Unkar Chanian
International Corporate Benjamin O'Brien-McQueenie
International Infrastructure and Real Estate Shirin Pishbin
International Corporate Matthew McDonald
Number of lawyers : 394
at this office : 10
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AMCC
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Britcham Thailand
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BBGV
EUMCCI
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
MIARB
MOGSC
MICCI
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MCIArb
Lighthouse Club
Al Moltaka
ociety of Construction Law
British Business Group
Australian Business Group
ICAEW - Corporate Finance Equity
Bahrain Irish Business Network
Bahrain Society
Arab British Chamber of Commerce
AHK
Other offices : Abu Dhabi
Other offices : Dubai
Other offices : Malaysia
Other offices : Oman