Hall Of Fame

Commercial, corporate and M&A in Kuwait

Al Markaz Law Firm

Al Markaz Law Firm's well-regarded practice is led by Ayman Nada, who has an excellent track record in handling local and multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, group restructurings, refinancing and acquisition structures. Turning to the senior associates, Zafar Iqbal and Mohammad Ramadan are key names, with particular expertise in advising on Shariah-compliant contracts, foreign direct investment, corporate structuring, and franchise and distributorship matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ayman Nada


Autres avocats clés:

Mohammed Ramadan; Zafar Iqbal


Les références

‘The whole team is very passionate, engaged and knowledgeable.’

ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners

ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners' corporate practice is home to a team of 'seasoned professionals with deep knowledge of the local market'. The group stands out for its strength in handling M&A transactions and corporate governance matters. Rob Little and Sam Habbas have extensive experience in M&A and restructuring, and Paul Day advises domestic and international clients on franchise and distribution matters and establishing operations in Kuwait. Recent instructions include John Cunha and Luis Cunha advising Saudi Arabian company Jadwa Investment on its acquisition of a 35%  stake in the Gissah Perfumes Company. Ezekiel Tuma is well versed in handling commercial and corporate transactions in Kuwait, and Ibrahim Sattout stands out for providing 'excellent, clear and useful advice'.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sam Habbas; Rob Little; Paul Day; Ibrahim Sattout; Ezekiel Tuma


Autres avocats clés:

Luis Cunha; John Cunha


Les références

‘ASAR is the largest, best resourced firm in Kuwait. It is able to provide the resources needed to deal with complex cases on time and in full.’

‘They are seasoned professionals with deep knowledge of the local market, a good commercial sense, ability to communicate with non-legal professionals, and a great sense of customer service.’

‘Sam Habbas is a stand out partner.’

Principaux clients

Americana Restaurants


LVMH


Sama Educational Company


Kuwait Cement Co.


Roche


General Electric


Gulf Bank


Johnson & Johnson


British Petroleum


Taken Seat Holding Co.


National Bank of Kuwait


Jadwa Investments Group


Kuwait Danish Dairy


Air Liquide


Al Rashed Holdings


Abbott


Al Dhow Engineering


Al Rifai Group


Alkhorayef Petroleum


Jubail Energy Services


Atos Information Technology


AstraZeneca


JebCo International


Kuwait International Bank


Mustafa Karam Motors


National Industries Group


Reckitt Benckiser


Rimini Street


Saipem


Sumitomo Mitsui


Warba


Wapmed


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company KSCP on the acquisition of a portfolio of assets worth US$ 2.21 billion by Macquarie Airfinance Group.
  • Advised Ahli United Bank B.S.C on a cross-border sale of the client’s entire share capital to Kuwait Finance House K.S.C.P.

Meysan Partners

The corporate practice at Meysan Partners garners praise for its 'deep understanding of the Kuwaiti legal landscape, paired with deep industry expertise'. Bader El-Jeaan is a highly regarded practitioner in Kuwait, with an excellent reputation in the M&A space, and co-heads the team with Abdulwahab Sadeq and Tarek Yehya. Abdul Aziz Al Yaqout advises on acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. Senior associate Hassan Elsayed is a name to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Bader El-Jeaan; Tarek Yehya; Abdulwahab Sadeq


Autres avocats clés:

Abdul Aziz Al Yaqout; Hassan Elsayed


Les références

‘Very high reactivity and ability to mobilise entire team quickly. Very strong at bringing concrete and tailor-made solutions.’

‘A focus on problem-solving and concrete solutions.’

‘Deep understanding of the Kuwaiti legal landscape, paired with deep industry expertise.’

Principaux clients

Ali Alghanim Sons Automotive Company K.S.C.C (“AAG”)


National Aviation Services (NAS) – Agility Logistics


Kuwait Telecommunications Company (“STC”)


Kuwait English School (“KES”)


Jadwa Investment


A consortium comprised of Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Company, and Al Safy Automotive Company


UPayments


Al Bayan Medical Company


Investcorp Holding BSC (Closed)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised National Aviation Services on its acquisition by Menzies Aviation.
  • Advised UPayments on the sale of a 51% stake to NBK.

Al Oula Law Firm (Adel Abdulhadi & Partners)

Al Oula Law Firm (Adel Abdulhadi & Partners)‘s commercial and corporate practice is instructed by international clients in a range of matters, including transactions, acquisitions and restructuring issues. Sanabil Jafar and Fayez Al Dosari co-lead the team, in which associate Dolly Sleem is a key name to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sanabil Jafar; Fayez Al Dosari


Autres avocats clés:

Dolly Sleem


Les références

‘Excellent practice.’

Principaux clients

Al-Eid International Logistics Company (AILCO)


Velath Engineering International FZC


Yiaco Medical Company


Kana Group for General Trading & Contracting


Aljawda AlKuwaitia for Food Stuff & Vegetables and Fruits


Satco Food Trading Company


Green Carbon Company


Boyua & Aamal for General Trading and Contracting Company


Black Boushiya Company


Kuwaiti Union of Farmers Market


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising a Kuwaiti company on regulatory matters regarding increasing the company’s capital by 45% as preparation for the client’s conversion into a public joint stock company.

Al Tamimi & Company

Al Tamimi & Company's team is active in advising companies on establishing their presence in Kuwait, as well as assisting with corporate structuring, commercial agreements, distribution and franchise agreements and corporate and regulatory compliance issues. Practice head Ola Saab and Aaron Dikos are the key practitioners.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ola Saab


Autres avocats clés:

Aaron Dikos


Les références

‘Great local experience.’

Principaux clients

Burberry Kuwait


Airways International Limited


LVMH Moet Hennessy


Kone Corporation


Johnson & Johnson


Joyalukkas


Unilever Gulf


Nord Anglia Education Limited


Linde Group


Uula International Technology


The Kuwait Styrene Company KSCC


Majid Al Futtaim


IBM


Samsung


Virgin Group


AstraZeneca


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Ikarus Petroleum Industries Company on its US$ 33 million acquisition of a controlling stake in GOFSCO.
  • Advised fashion company Steve Madden on its joint venture agreement with the Apparel Group.

Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan Legal Group (YFLG)

Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan Legal Group (YFLG)'s practice advises local and international public and private companies on a wide spectrum of commercial and corporate matters, including M&A, joint ventures, restructurings and regulatory issues. The department is jointly led by Waleed Al Daraawi and Nadyn Saleh, who is very experienced in handling commercial transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Waleed Al Daraawi; Nadyn Saleh


Les références

Their team reflects a variety of backgrounds and experiences, which enriches their problem-solving capabilities.’

‘Collaboration is at the heart of their practice.’

‘Their professionals bring extensive industry-specific expertise to the table, ensuring a thorough understanding of our sector’s dynamics. Their track record speaks to their commitment to excellence.’

Principaux clients

Dar Al Shifa


Al Ansari Exchange


Health Assurance Company (DHAMAN) and Ribera Salud


J3 Project Company for Management and Development of Lands and Real Estate WLL.


CPF Int Limited


Cavendish Maxwell


iMile


Jahez International Whole & Retail Sale Company


NAGA markets Europe ltd


Tamara


Pharmalife


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Al Ansari Exchange Co on the acquisition of a 100% stake in Oman Exchange Co.
  • Advised CPF Int Limited on an international franchising agreement with Al Khashab International as part of its global expansion plan.

GLA & Company

M&A is a key pillar of strength for GLA & Company‘s corporate team, which is adept at advising on large local and cross-border M&A transactions. Senior partner Nader Al Awadhi and managing partner Alex Saleh have a solid track record in the M&A space, while Yousef Al Amly is well versed in handling joint ventures, franchising and distribution agreements, and corporate governance and compliance matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nader Al Awadhi; Alex Saleh; Yousef Al Amly


Les références

‘US-style advice in the Gulf.’

‘Alex Saleh is recommended.’

 

Principaux clients

Cognita Middle East Holdings Limited


National Technology Enterprises Company, KSC


Gatehouse Bank PLC


Bashar Al-Ameer; and Bait Al Aseel Group for General Trading and Contracting


Automak Automotive Company KSC


Emirates NBD Bank


Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank


Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (“Dhaman”)


A’ayan Leasing and Investment Co. K.S.C.P.


Kuwait Food Company KSC (Americana)


KFH Capital


FDH (Fluor, Daewoo, Hyundai consortium)


Hyundai


Maire Tecnimont


Abyaar


Emerson Electric Company


Silver Lake Technology Management, LLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Cognita Middle East Holdings on the acquisition of a stake in Universe Education Company KSCC.
  • Advised Gatehouse Bank, a Sharia-compliant UK-based bank, on the divestment of its Kuwait investment company.
  • Advised Automak Automotive Company KSCC on restructuring its ownership, involving a third-party buyer purchasing a 35% stake, worth approximately US$ 24 million, in the client.

HFW in association with Attorney Rula Dajani

HFW in association with Attorney Rula Dajani‘s corporate practice focuses on assisting foreign investors with establishing a presence in Kuwait, and is adept at advising on joint ventures, shareholder and distribution agreements, licensing and a broad range of commercial contracts. Practice head Rula Dajani divides her time between Dubai and Kuwait, and is a key name for handling M&A and corporate restructuring. Senior associate Tarek Abu Mariam is singled out for his contributions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rula Dajani


Autres avocats clés:

Tarek Abu Mariam


Principaux clients

Commercial Bank of Kuwait


Hellmann Worldwide Logistics LLC


Kuwait Airways


SMBC Aviation Capital Ltd


Umm Al Hayman for Wastewater Treatment Company (KSPC)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Hellmann Worldwide Logistics on the restructuring of its operations in the Middle East.

Abdullah Kh. Al-Ayoub & Associates

At Abdullah Kh. Al-Ayoub & Associates, the firm's founding partner Abdullah Kh. Al-Ayoub works alongside Waleed Al-Ayoub in order to assist a client base of predominantly US-based entities on Kuwaiti laws regarding transactional mandates involving the sale of assets. The practice also assists foreign clients on setting up operations in Kuwait.

Responsables de la pratique:

Abdullah Kh. Al-Ayoub


Autres avocats clés:

Waleed Alayoub


Alfahad & Partners (Consultants and Attorneys)

At Alfahad & Partners (Consultants and Attorneys), the team acts for domestic and international clients in a wide spectrum of matters, including M&A, joint ventures, restructuring, corporate governance, licensing and cross-border transactions. Name partner Faisal Alfahad and Shamoil Ranijiwala are the practice heads.

Responsables de la pratique:

Faisal Alfahad; Shamoil Ranijiwala


Les références

‘Very practical legal advisors.’

‘Faisal Al Fahad provides solid and reliable legal advice in a practical context.’

‘Dedicated and detail oriented.’

Principaux clients

KFH Capital Investment Company


Ahli United Bank


ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Co. KSCP


Prime one Group General Trading and Contracting


Jazeera Airways


Flame Energy Company


Rexel Middle East


Jasim Adbulwahab and Partner Co WLL


Kepler Wolf LLP


Naqel Express


TUV SUD


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for ALAFCO during the acquisition of the client’s assets, worth more than US$ 2,200,000,000, by Macquarie Group.
  • Advised Naqel Express on establishing a new company and acquiring licenses in Kuwait.