Middle East - United Arab Emirates
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Clifford Chance

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Clifford Chance, widely acknowledged as having ‘one of the strongest teams in the market’ with ‘excellent depth of experience and market knowledge’, continues to play a pivotal role in high-profile, complex IPOs and debt capital market transactions across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The firm works closely with sovereign entities on regulatory advancements and oversees a diverse array of transactions, encompassing structured notes, securitisations, and hybrid transactions. Practice head Stuart Ure is ’one of the strongest and most commercial lawyers in the market’, covering conventional and Islamic debt capital markets transactions. Co-head Omar Rashid is recognised for his equity capital markets expertise, and fellow co-head Cheuk Yin Cheung is distinguished for her work with derivatives and structured products. Rezwan Azam ‘remains one of the strongest senior associates in the capital markets’ and has an impressive portfolio of IPOs.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘One of the strongest teams in the market. Excellent depth of experience and market knowledge.’

  • ‘The team is led by the formidable Stuart Ure - one of the strongest and most commercial lawyers in the market. He can always be relied upon to provide pragmatic advice and is almost always available. Rising stars in the team include Pearl Mahaga, who has excellent technical knowledge and is always good to deal with. ’

  • 'At associate level, the individuals are all strong, engaging and willing to source an answer for you on any matter’

  • ‘The depth and breadth of the team is impressive. They are able to sufficiently staff and handle multiple complex transactions simultaneously whilst maintaining consistent high quality advice.’

  • ‘Rezwan Azam remains one of the strongest senior associates in the capital markets - always diligent, responsive and knowledgeable whilst being able to efficiently manage complex and time pressured processes.'

Key clients

  • Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates
  • HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
  • J.P. Morgan Securities Plc
  • Standard Chartered Bank
  • Americana Restaurants
  • Bank of America
  • Citibank
  • Emirates NBD
  • First Abu Dhabi Bank
  • Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
  • Investcorp Capital

Work highlights

  • Acted as international issuer’s counsel to Middle East alternative asset manager Investcorp Capital plc on the initial public offering and listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange  of Investcorp Capital.
  • Advised the investment banks on the establishment of Kuwait Projects Company K.S.C.P.'s US$2 billion trust certificate issuance programme and a debut Regulation S dual issuance.
  • Advised DP World Limited on the issuance of US$1.5 billion trust certificates due 2033 under its US$5 billion trust certificate issuance programme.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Stuart Ure
Hall of fameClifford Chance
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Rezwan Azam
Clifford Chance

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Stuart Ure, Cheuk Yin Cheung, Omar Rashid

Other key lawyers

Rezwan Azam, Pearl Mahaga