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Capabilities

Middle East and Islamic Finance and Investment

Our lawyers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh anchor an international team that works on behalf of financial institutions, energy, construction, healthcare, real estate, private equity, shipping and aviation companies seeking to invest or finance commercial projects in compliance with Islamic Shari’ah principles as well as conventional financing. Informed by decades of experience in the Middle East, our Islamic Finance and Investment team guides financial institutions and businesses in navigating the regulatory, political and commercial environment of the region.

Serving Islamic and conventional financial institutions, merchant and investment banks, venture capital and private equity funds, fund sponsors and family investment companies, our team has helped to structure and implement billions of U.S. dollars in complex, innovative, often first of their kind transactions since 1995.

The team has developed a strong and highly respected working relation with leading Shari’ah scholars, which allows the team to develop investment and financing instruments in the Middle East, Europe and the U.S. that are compliant, practical and efficient. Typical transactions have included:

  • Shari’ah-compliant property funds valued at nearly US$10 billion;
  • private equity funds valued in excess of US$6 billion;
  • Shari’ah-compliant “sidecar” funds;
  • the acquisition, financing and development of properties in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East;
  • Shari’ah-compliant leveraged private equity acquisitions in the U.S., and acquisitions made in Europe and the Middle East;
  • landmark sukuk transactions and first-time Shari’ah-compliant financing structures;
  • Shari’ah-compliant project financings in the Middle East, including energy, desalination, residential and commercial projects;
  • the restructuring of Shari’ah-compliant investments; and
  • the formation of Shari’ah-compliant equities funds.

We work with many of the world’s leading financial institutions and development companies, including:

  • ACWA Power
  • Al Rajhi Holdings
  • Al Romaizan Company for Gold & Jewellery
  • Aramco
  • Arabian Real Estate Investment Trust
  • Arcapita BlueApple Partners
  • Dalma Energy
  • Dow Chemical Company
  • General Electric
  • Gulf Investment Corporation
  • International Investment Bank
  • Islamic Development Bank
  • Jadwa Investment Company
  • KFH Capital
  • Kuveyt Turk
  • Meraas
  • Mubadala Development Company
  • NBK Capital
  • NCB Capital
  • Sahara Petrochemical Company
  • Saudi Economic Development Co.
  • SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia
  • Société Générale
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Awarded our firm the ‘Saudi Arabia Client Service Award’, 2021


Chambers Global

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Recognition

Awarded our firm the ‘Saudi Arabia Client Service Award’, 2021


Chambers Global

Ranked Band 1 for the 15th straight year for Middle East Investment Funds, 2010-2025


Chambers Global

Ranked Tier 1 for Investment Funds in the UAE


The Legal 500 EMEA 2025

Ranked Tier 1 for Banking and Finance and Corporate/M&A in Saudi Arabia


The Legal 500 EMEA 2025

“In my view, King & Spalding have the best-quality and best-written fund legal documents; funds we work on with them are generally immediately approved by the regulators.”


Chambers Global 2025

Ranked Band 2 in UAE Construction


Chambers Global 2025

Awarded “Cross-Border Deal of the Year” and “M&A, Equity and IPO Deal of the Year”, 2020.


Islamic Finance News

Ranked Tier 1 for Projects and Energy in Saudi Arabia


Legal 500 EMEA 2025

“Their funds team is probably the best one in the UAE. They are efficient and responsive to queries, with a very good understanding of commercial requirements.”


Chambers Global 2025

“They have a great understanding of fund regulation across multiple jurisdictions and the ability to prepare fund documentation in a timely manner.”


Chambers Global 2025

“They have an unparalleled command of the Sharika landscape and a deep pool of talent across different offices.”


Chambers Global 2025

“King & Spalding has extremely competent partners who can go toe-to-toe with other counsel on sophisticated matters. They are very experienced and detail-focused.”


Chambers Global 2025

“Their proactive approach to client service, coupled with their extensive industry knowledge, makes them a standout choice in the field.”


Chambers Global 2025

“King & Spalding stands out for its client management skills and deep knowledge of the practicalities of managing public stakeholders.”


Chambers Global 2025

Ranked in the International & Cross-Border Capabilities Spotlight Table


Chambers Global 2025

Ranked Band 3 Banking & Finance: Islamic Finance practice Global-wide


Chambers Global 2025

Awarded “MENA Solar Deal of the Year”, 2020


Project Finance International

Awarded “MENA Power Deal of the Year”, 2020


IJGlobal

Awarded Asset Management and Investment Funds, Fintech and Capital Markets Firm of the Year, 2019


Islamic Finance News

Selected as the "Best Law Firm for Asset Management", 2014 - 2016, 2019


Islamic Finance News

Awarded "Middle East and Africa Renewable Deal of the Year", 2019


IJGlobal

Awarded Most Innovative Deal of the Year, 2019


Islamic Finance News

Awarded "Middle East and Africa Renewable Deal of the Year", 2019


Project Finance International (PFI)