With a strong international presence, AS&H Clifford Chance‘s expanding Riyadh-based banking and finance team provides ’exceptional’ end-to-end services for complex financing transactions. The team advises their local and international clients on the full range of banking and financing transactions, offering specialist advice in areas such as bank lending, project financing and Islamic finance.  Yasser Al-Hussain heads the practice and brings extensive experience in Islamic finance, project finance, bilateral and syndicated lending and financial litigation. Ali Moiz Ansari acts for the team’s largest clients, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and the National Centre for Privatization. Other key contacts include Ahmed Choudhry and Mohamed Hamra-Krouha, who excel in complex project financings, among other specialties.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is highly aware of the market changes and practices; they provide high-end services to their clients by meeting expectations and sometimes exceeding them.

  • They have a great mix of people where great minds meet and share experience and knowledge from different jurisdictions.’
  • ‘Proactive. Committed. Well prepared.’

  • ‘The finance and banking team in AS&H is exceptional. The best we have worked with, with no exaggerations. Extremely professional and capable team. The team managed to meet deadlines and relationship with the lenders' counsel. They are extremely cooperative and easy to speak with. They have always been available to answer any questions. ’

  • ‘The banking and finance team is led by Mohammad Hamra-Krouha (Partner) and Ali Ansari (Senior Associate) been our people to go to for any financing matter. Ali and his team have been managing the relationship with us to accommodate and protect our best interest. They are very respectful of the given timelines, and diligent towards their quality of work. The work is always delivered with transparency and high ethics. Their rates are competitive and fairly billed. They are our go to finance and banking lawyers. ’

Key clients

  • Telecommunication Towers Company J.P.S.C.T(C) (TAWAL)
  • Al Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation
  • The Saudi National Bank
  • Ma'aden Phosphate Company
  • Mashreqbank PSC
  • Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden)
  • ROSHN Group Company
  • Riyad Bank
  • HSBC Saudi Arabia
  • SNB Capital Company
  • Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia

Work highlights

  • Advised Ajlan & Bros Holding Group on reaching successful financial close of the Taiba 2 and Qassim 2 IPP projects. The consortium comprised of Aljomaih Energy& Water Company, Ajlan & Bros Group, Buhur for Investment Company and the EDF Group.
  • Advised a consortium of banks led by Citibank, BNP Paribas, HSBC Bank Middle East, and MUFG Bank in connection with the financing for a US$3.6 billion acquisition by AviLease (a Riyadh-based company backed by Saudi Arabia's PIF sovereign wealth fund) of Standard Chartered's aircraft leasing business.
  • Advised a syndicate of lenders, coordinated by HSBC Saudi Arabia, on the secured Shariah-compliant multi-currency financing for Arabian Centres Company (Tradingas Cenomi Centres) up to SAR2,943,750,000 and US$135 million term Murabaha facilities andSAR506,250,000 and US$65 million revolving Murabaha facilities

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Ali Moiz Ansari
AS&H Clifford Chance
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Yasser Al-Hussain
AS&H Clifford Chance
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Ahmed Choudhry
AS&H Clifford Chance

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Yasser Alhussain

Other key lawyers

Ahmed Choudhry, Mohamed Hamra-Krouha, Ali Moiz Ansari