Firm Name:
Charles Russell Speechlys
Location:
London, Paris, Bahrain
Corporate Transactions Contact Attorney(s):
Paula Boast, Adrian Mayer
Types of Corporate Transactions in Which Our Firm Has Particular Expertise
We have been working with clients in the GCC region for over 30 years and operating on the ground in the Middle East for nearly 20 years. With both English and Arabic speaking lawyers, our experienced Middle East team understand your specific requirements and the nuances of each market place in the region. We undertake some of the region’s highest value transactions and cases and our partners in the Middle East are consistently ranked as leading lawyers in their respective fields in the independent directories such as Chambers Global and Legal 500. Our lawyers work seamlessly across the Middle East offices servicing clients from a ‘one team’ perspective regardless of geography and leveraging specific expertise from our other international offices as and when required. We work with a variety of clients and industries including, government entities and regulators, sovereign wealth funds, multi-national and regional corporates, major investors, high-profile families and individuals.
Our Africa team includes lawyers in our London, European and Middle Eastern offices, many of whom have lived and worked in Africa. We provide a multi-disciplinary approach backed by a deep understanding of the key growth sectors on the continent. Whether you’re an international corporate, institution, asset manager, investor or individual, we can support your business interests across Africa, including Corporate and M&A, Investment Funds, Real Estate and Construction, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Private Client services.
Awards and Memberships
- Winner – Chambers Middle East Awards 2024
- Winner – The Legal 500 Awards 2024
- Winner of Best Legal Services: Private Equity – Pan-Africa – AGF Africa Service Providers Awards 2023
- Deals Legal Advisor of the Year – Private Equity Africa Awards 2022
The Size of Our Firm’s Corporate Transactions Team
Team on the ground in the Middle East: 47 Africa Desk: 10
Examples of Transactions Our Firm Has Undertaken
- M-Kopa, the world’s leading ‘pay-as-you-go’ energy provider to off grid homes, required advice on a receivables based syndicated loan of USD $55million, backed by Standard Bank, covering Kenya and Uganda. This innovative facility, the first of its kind, is being deployed primarily into off-grid households, with per capita income of less than US$2 per day. We were involved in from the pre-term sheet stage and assisted with the structuring of the transaction both in terms of the financing technique and security structure but also in relation to fit for the business (pre and post restructuring). Understanding the business model of the borrower and their likely cashflows enabled us to make changes to the proposed financing to better fit the business.
- We advised Daystar Power Group and its founder, Sunray Ventures, on the acquisition of a $10 million equity stake in Daystar by Verod Capital Management and Persistent Energy (Persistent).
- We successfully acted for Reem Emirates Aluminium LLC in relation to the construction of the FIVE JVC Hotel by Five Real Estate Development LLC.
- Acting in the first litigation matter in the UAE concerning cryptocurrency – a transaction in which the Claimant (Huobi) sought to sell 300-Bitcoins to a third-party buyer, and individual representing a syndicate of buyers.
- We successfully defeated a trillion-pound-claim against Gulf Bank of Kuwait.
- Instructed to act for Kuwait Finance House Kuwait on advice in relation to the acquisition of Kuwait Finance House Bahrain by Al Salam Bank.We have successfully acted as external administrator of Awal Bank in relation with over 75 different court proceedings to recover or protect Awal Bank assets across 12 different countries, including the US, the Cayman Islands, the UK, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with gross realisations now exceeding US$820 million.
- Assisted a client in the removal of a Red Notice in the Interpol system recorded under his name after he was absolved of all charges before the Dubai Courts
- We successfully acted for Gulf Air B.S.C in relation to a complex worldwide USD $19 million fraud committed by a network of seven separate defendants with one defendant having been employed by the national airline. We successfully acted for Behrooz Toorani in relation to a complex intra family dispute relating to the property of a Deceased Bahraini high-net- worth who died in England in 2027. Advising a key developer stakeholder Diyar, Amar 1 Real Estate, Amar 2 Real Estate, Ithmaar Development Company, Raya Development and the Bahrain Ministry of Works in relation to the design, development and construction of critical social infrastructure.
- Our Real Estate team is currently advising the Bahrain Marina Development Company on recent legal developments impacting the initial legal structure for a master developer of a 300,000 sqm retail, residential and hospitality components as well as preparing all key project documents including residential off-plan reservation and sale agreements, RERA compliant disclosure statements, community and building relations as well as retail leases.
- Our Real Estate and Construction team advised Arabian Exhibition Management W.L.L in connection with the termination of AEM’s commercial office lease following the sale of their leased premises to a new landlord and the reviewing, amending and finalising a short form construction contract known as the FIDIC green brook in relation to AEM’s fit=out works for their new commercial offices at United Gulf Tower.
- Acting for a British national charged and prosecuted by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in relation to ongoing bribery and corruption charges related to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Acting for Emirates REIT (CEIC) PLC in a DIFC Court proceeding, relating to a retail lease dispute (within the DIFC).
- Advising Informa Dubai in connection with negotiating and finalising Informa Dubai’s new commercial office lease for premises located at the iconic One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre commercial building in the UAE. Successfully acted for Emblem Consulting DMCC (MBLM) on corporate restricting group entities in New York, South Korea and the Middle East and in relation to a brand development and consulting agreement including reviewing and amending the necessary agreements.
- We act for Industrial and Financial Systems (IFS UK Ltd) in relation to the re-organisation following their acquisition of the Axis Group.
- We have been instructed by The Saudi Film Commission in relation to its recently launched Incentive Programme, involving reviewing the Film Commission’s operating model and baselining and analysing existing policy requirement.
- Advising Image Nation on various commercial related matters connected to its production and operational activities.
- Acted for Oman Air in relation to all IP related aspects including all trademark prosecution requirements internationally and in the region.
- Advised the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia on the launch of the inaugural Saudi Cup in February 2020 including restructuring the media and data rights framework for the event and advising on TV distribution, broadcast production and digital services agreements.
- Acting for the International Cricket Council (ICC) in relation to brand registration aspects of its new crypto NFT offering, Crictos.