The boutique full-service law firm
Dr Faisal
Alfahad and Partners
was
established in 2018. It
advises clients out of its Kuwait City office.
The firm has the
capacity to handle transactions across several financial and corporate areas.
In the financial sphere, the firm is known for its experience in Islamic Banking, regulatory work and IPO capabilities. It is active in equity capital markets and has been involved in some prominent work in the market.
The firm also has a capable M&A practice which handles complex domestic transactions.
Key clients include
TUV SUD, Jazeera Airways,
Kuwait Finance House, Ahli United Bank, Prime one Group General Trading and Contracting, Aref Investment Group,
Biotisk
Energier Sweden, and Rexel Middle
East.
Research period review:
33rd edition (2023/2024)
The firm was active in the
financial services regulatory, M&A
and capital markets space during the research period. Its involvements in the area centered on advice to clients on local laws and regulations, including representation of clients before the Capital Markets Authority.
In M&A work, the firm did
predominantly buy-side work for domestic clients.
Abdel-Gawad Al-Zayat joined the firm during the research period.
Client feedback:
33rd edition (2023/2024)
“Very knowledgeable and commercial.”
“Knowledgeable, commercial, helpful, responsive, and thoughtful. Accurate legal advice in a practical context.”
“Very aware of the client's needs.”
“Client focused, calm, practical, accurate legal advice in a commercial and practical context.”
Al-Hossam
Legal
is a Kuwaiti law firm with
vast experience in advising on a wide array of financial and corporate transactions. It has its offices in Kuwait City.
The firm has decades of experience in advising clients on banking and finance, M&A, and capital markets transactions.
The firm is particularly active
in advising on M&A deals and
the equity side of capital
markets transactions such as mergers,
rights issues and initial public offerings for clients in the banking sector. The firm also advises on debt capital
markets, especially
bond issuances.
Key clients include
National Industries Holding Company, Kuwait Financial Centre, Gulf Bank, Al-Ahli Bank,
Boubyan Bank,
Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company, Kamco Investment Company, National Industries Group Holdings, and Boubyan Petrochemical Company.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
During the research period, the firm is active in the M&A practice where it advised clients in the financial services and consumer and goods industries on merger deals.
A notable example
of the firm’s work
includes the legal advice provided to Kamco Investment Company
regarding
the merger of three entities. Another example is the ongoing merger between Kuwait Projects Company and
Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company.
The firm advised on both debt and equity capital markets transactions for clients in the banking sector, where it represented issuers on
bonds issuance,
IPO and rights issue.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
National Industries Holding Company US$ 228 million rights issue
National Industries Group US$ 131 million bonds issue
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
“Al Hossam Legal is creative in their solutions, pragmatic and diligent. The Al Hossam Legal team always responds in a timely manner and is always available.”
“Creative, responsive and very knowledgeable and experienced.”
Kuwaiti law firm
ASAR - Al
Ruwayeh & Partners was founded in 1977. The firm has offices in Kuwait City and Manama, Bahrain.
The firm is renowned for transactional work in Kuwait.
In banking it does both lender and borrower side work and is known for its
expertise in project finance.
In capital markets the firm is particularly strong on the debt side, where it often secures the market’s prominent mandates.
The firm has a highly visible corporate practice that often works on some of the most complex M&A and restructuring mandates in Kuwait.
The firm’s project development team is one of the leaders in the PPP space, where it
frequently supports the largest projects in the country.
Key clients include
Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Suez Environment,
Gameland Trading and Contracting, Hydro Trading, Ahli United Bank,
Limak
İnşaat Sanayi Ve
Ticaret, Petrochemical Industries Co, Kuwait Polypropylene Industries, The National Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait International Bank, Burgan Bank, Kuwait Financial Centre, Cummins PGI, Deloitte & Touche ME, Engie Services Middle
East and Riyad Bank
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
In banking work, during the research period the firm excelled in the
Murabaha financing where it
advises Lenders in the banking industry sector. The firm also worked on trade and asset finance transactions.
In the capital markets space the firm has been busy on the debt side, acting for a mix of issuers, managers,
arrangers and guarantors on several large issuances in Kuwait
mainly bond issuances.
The firm advised on investment funds, particularly funds raising and funds structuring during the research period.
The firm secured
several notable M&A mandates, typically with cross-border dimensions. Notable examples include the firm’s work on the
$8.8 billion acquisition of Ahli United Bank by Kuwait Finance House. The firm also worked on several large, cross-border restructuring mandates.
In the project development area, the firm had a role in PPP
and project development
work in the real estate
and construction
sectors.
In the research year, Senior Associate Hussein Azmy and Associate Ahmed Abbas joined the firm.
Deal highlights:
33rd edition (2023/2024)
Boubyan Bank US$ 3 billion bond issue
Equate Petrochemical Company $250 million Murabaha
financing
Kuwait Finance House $ 8.8 billion acquisition of Ahli United Bank
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation $ 1 billion export financing
Client feedback:
33rd edition (2023/2024)
“They have in-depth knowledge of the Kuwait equity market and strong connections in the field.”
“Very reactive and proactive in responding to questions. We felt well advised throughout the transaction.”
“The ASAR team were very pleasant to work with
demonstrated a strong knowledge of Kuwaiti law matters. They were reactive, dynamic, and helpful in moving the deal forward to signing and supporting on the completion process.”
Project development: Energy
“They provide excellent legal services and are very responsive.”
“ASAR was expansive in their responses, which helped us provide suitable context for our clients. They were also very responsive to our queries.”
“Great knowledge of local legal systems.”
“He is often available and clear in communication.”
“Friendly and easy to deal with yet professional and we trust his advice.”
“He is exceptionally knowledgeable and an excellent legal strategist.”
“Luis is very pleasant to work with. He is extremely knowledgeable on Kuwait law matters and has a strong desire to close deals. He is very pragmatic and confident in negotiations.”
“Excellent communicator, good general knowledge and great service.”
“Positive attitude and solution oriented.”
Meysan Partners is a Kuwait headquartered corporate law firm. Founded in 2015 it has operations across the Middle East.
Focuses / specialisms
The firm boasts an active capital markets practice, which has experience encompassing the complete spectrum of equity, debt and hybrids instruments. The practice does predominantly issuer side work and advises on financing mandates.
The firm is also present in M&A where it advises on deals of varying size and complexity.
Key clients
Key clients include Agility, Daimler, Deliveroo, Delivery Hero, InstaShop, KIPIC, KNPC, HSBC, Citibank, Agthia, L’Oréal, Aetna, Gulf Insurance Company, Kuwait Telecommunications and Ooredoo.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
The firm was active in debt capital markets practice during the research period by advising on issuance of debt instruments predominantly sukuk and debentures.
The firm was also visible in the equity area where it primarily represented Agility in connection with Tristar Transport IPO on the Dubai Financial Market. The equity capital markets team also worked on rights issues.
In M&A the firm advised on several private acquisitions and joint venture deals for buyers, mostly in the technology space.
Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
DSV Panalpina $4.1 billion acquisition of Global Integrated Logistics
Kalaam Telecommunications $65 million acquisition of 100% share capital of Zajil International Telecom
Warba Tier 1 Sukuk (2) $250 million tier 1 capital certificates issue
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Banking and finance
"The firm is the most globally minded firm in the region. The partners bring a sophisticated 'New York style' legal practice to the Gulf. They are pragmatic, aggressive and creative."
Capital markets : Equity
"They provide practical insight in terms of the regulatory process. They also alleviate the administrative burden from the client. The partner is the main point of contact throughout the process. "
Insolvency
"The firm is extremely well connected politically and commercially. They understand the local legal frameworks but operate as a western-oriented firm. They are versatile, smart, aggressive and sophisticated."
M&A
"Fast, responsible, transparent and take accountability. Especially Tarek Yahya, the person who is in touch with us. "
"They have delivered what we were looking for in time. "
"Their main positive attributes are the vast knowledge and experience they have in M&A and the risk assessment, and the prompt action they take when approached."
"The lawyers at the firm are highly experienced and talented. They all speak Arabic and English very well. Most of them are trilingual lawyers. They all have very solid educational and professional backgrounds that make them stand out from the rest of the lawyers in the country. "
"The firm is highly diligent, responsive and delivers high quality. They are invaluable in identifying critical issues for any transaction."
Private equity
"Good acumen, professional, strong legal skills."
Bader El Jeaan
"Exceptionally well connected, depth of experience across multiple sectors, cross-cultural skill as combines US/NYC mentality with local Gulf understanding, creative thinker, intensely driven."
"Sophisticated and very aggressive. He is a corporate lawyer but often leads disputes. He is a tactician."
"He is a very respected name in Kuwait. He is the sought-after lawyer and go-to guy when we want to pull off a particularly complex transaction. He is the one always leading the charge. He can see the big picture of a transaction and knows how to stay firm to bring us the best possible outcome. "
Michel Ghanem
"Great professional, positive and client-satisfaction approach; know-how; vast experience in commercial, corporate and M&A fields; quick and accurate; responsive."
Tarek Yehya
"Knowledgeable, transparent, fast, solution finder, good listener, out of the box thought, polite and gentle, softly spoken, multi-lingual. Highly professional. "
"Composed, professional, punctual, meets deadlines, exceeds expectations."
"Very professional. Highly responsive. Great knowledge of local rules and regulations."
"Good listener, acts fast, knowledgeable, humble, problem-solver, good communicator."
"Highly knowledgeable and experienced, always tries to find solutions, reliable."
With offices in Kuwait and Dubai, Al Yaqout and Al Fouzan Legal Group is a dynamic Middle Eastern law firm. It was formed in 1954 in Kuwait.
Focuses / specialisms
The firm is highly active, and among the best, in the Kuwaiti financial and corporate sphere. It has established a strong track record in industries which had previously lacked legal support in the country such as logistics and TMT, where the firm often advises start-ups in the country’s booming tech sector.
Key clients
Key clients include Microsoft, Al Ghanim Industries, HSBC, Warba Bank, Talabat, Carriage, Mashkoor, Aayan Real Estate, Hyusong Heavy Industries, Dietsmann and the Embassy of France in Kuwait.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Project development
Proactive. Well-informed. Multilingual."
