Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A):
Bader El Jeaan (beljeaan@meysan.com)
Michel Ghanem (mghanem@meysan.com)
In the last seven years the firm's lawyers have advised on more than 40 multimillion-dollar M&A deals, exceeding $40 billion in total value. This accumulated deal value makes Meysan the undisputed leader and the number one law firm in Kuwait in M&A practice, and one of the leaders in the region. As a testament to its strength in M&A, in the first half of 2021, Meysan was ranked 16 on the Mergermarket Middle East and Africa League Table (By Value) with combined transaction value of $4.1 billion for deals executed, surpassing or on par with significantly larger competitors in the region such as Linklaters and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. Meysan was the only regional firm ranked on the league table.
Some of our representative matters include:
• Handled the largest private M&A deal in the region: DSV’s $4.1 billion acquisition of Agility’s logistics business.
• Involved as legal advisor to Zain on its proposed $1.2 billion sale of its Sudan business which was recently announced.
• Advised Kalaam Telecommunications in connection with its acquisition of Zajil Telecom.
Capital Markets:
Tarek Yehya (tyehya@meysan.com)
Our firm is recognized as one of the top advisers on corporate financing and capital markets transactions. Its experience encompasses the complete spectrum of equity, debt, and hybrid instruments. No firm in Kuwait matches us for the depth of our capital markets experience.
Some of our representative matters include:
• Acted as legal advisor to Agility on its direct listing of shares in subsidiary, Agility Global PLC, on the main market of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), a groundbreaking $4.5 billion transaction.
• Advised Ahli Bank of Kuwait on its $600m issuance of AT1 sukuk.
• Advised the underwriters on the $250 million Tier 2 capital issuance by Warba Bank.
Banking & Finance:
Tarek Yehya (tyehya@meysan.com)
Our lawyers represent lenders and borrowers in some of the largest and most complicated financing transactions in the region. Our clients include many of the region’s largest commercial banks, investment banks, insurance companies, and other institutional lenders and investors, as well as private equity sponsors, strategic buyers, borrowers and issuers of securities.
Some of our representative matters include:
• Acted as legal counsel to Warba Bank K.S.C.P. in updating the USD 2 billion Trust Certificate Programme of Warba Sukuk Limited.
• Represented Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait KSCP in a $326 million rights issue.
• Represented Warba Bank in connection with a sukuk, which was issued via private placement with a three-year tenor.
Competition & Regulatory:
Dr. Abdulwahab Sadeq (asadeq@meysan.com)
With a profound understanding of competition laws, our lawyers adeptly navigate the regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance while facilitating these transformative deals.
Some of our representative matters include:
• Advised Zain Fintech on the acquisition of a majority stake in Xenon Electronic Payments WLL and secured regulatory approvals from the Competition Protection Agency (CBK), Capital Markets Authority, Kuwaiti Exchange, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Assisted a leading Saudi digital bank in the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) application for the incorporation and licensing of a digital bank in Kuwait including interactions and submissions to the CBK.
• Advised the client on the acquisition by Pyppl subsidiaries of Advanced Digital Applications Holdings Ltd, including all Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) regulatory considerations and licensing requirements in Kuwait.
Project Development:
Bader El Jeaan (beljeaan@meysan.com)
The firm's lawyers advise on the development, financing, and projects of some of the most cutting-edge transactions in the region. This includes public-private partnerships, acquisitions and divestitures (including privatizations), private equity investments, debt restructurings, tax equity transactions and the resolution of political risk claims and investment disputes.
Dispute Resolution:
Waleed AlTattan (waltattan@meysan.com)
Our dispute resolution team combines extensive experience with a client-focused approach to deliver successful outcomes in litigation and arbitration. In the Middle East, our unique blend of linguistic capability and deep understanding of local laws, along with the rights of audience before regional courts, makes us a leading firm for high-stakes disputes. Internationally, our London team specializes in complex commercial disputes, while our arbitration practice, recognized in both the Middle East and London, has a strong track record in Investor-State and international arbitrations across multiple jurisdictions.
Some of our representative matters include:
• Represented Iraq Telecom limited in a number of matters worth more up to AED 6 billion.
• Advising Agility in a landmark victory in its expropriation claim against the State of Iraq, leading to the annulment of a prior ICSID tribunal award.
• Secured a landmark judgment for Alcazar Capital against the Kurdistan Regional Government, overcoming jurisdictional complexities to win the full claim amount, legal interest, and fees.
