The objectives and time frames of joint ventures vary from client to client, across sectors and industries. Whether the objective is to access new markets or distribution channels, to further penetrate existing ones, to gain access to intellectual property, technology and know how, or to increase capacity and resource, we can assist on all relevant issues whether the joint venture is for a specific project or on a longer-term basis including negotiating and drafting the documentation, the establishment of the joint venture itself, as well as assisting in any financing that may be required.

We advise on a number of issues in relation to participating in a joint venture.  This could be on a jurisdictional specific level – ensuring compliance with national laws, including finance and foreign exchange controls and expatriation of foreign currency, or on a local level – obtaining approval from local government/regulators and central banks.

We advise on establishing the legal obligations surrounding cash or resource commitments, cost allocation, appraisal of invested assets and capital verification, equity/debt ratio, capital contributions and dividend distribution policy; and on operational and senior management – determining who should be given what authority and rights.

Joint Ventures are a core part of our business and we have worked across all of the core sectors in Saudi Arabia advising both regional and international clients on the structuring and implementation of their joint ventures over many different industry sectors. As such we are fully aware of all the local and international issues that may arise, and how best to address them. Some of the best known international names in their respective fields have come to us for advise on their market entry into Saudi Arabia by way of joint ventures.

We advise both lenders and borrowers on all types of facilities, including corporate loans, banking facilities and non-banking credit funds. Our fee earners are experienced in all types of finance structures used in the KSA including Islamic and conventional facilities, inter-company loans and deferred payment transactions.

We are able to advise on all aspects of these transactions, from the financing aspects of the facility and the securisation of loans, to corporate restructuring.

We advise on investment fund legal services across all asset classes – including formation and structuring, capital raising and investment management arrangements and regulations.

We draw on our long experience of working with Saudi and foreign funds and asset managers to provide innovative and valued-added advice for private and public funds.

We also regularly handle funds-related transactional and corporate finance work, including joint ventures, fund reconstructions, secondary transactions and joint co-investment arrangements.

Our information technology (IT) practice covers contentious and non-contentious matters in Saudi Arabia for suppliers and customers.

We have advised on disputes involving the interpretation, performance and termination of IT contracts; software copyright infringement; technology patent litigation; and disputes over systems procurement and outsourcing agreements.

Our non-contentious work includes advising on, negotiating and documenting IT outsourcing; service supply arrangements; systems procurement; software licensing and distribution; software development; internet and e-commerce; data protection and privacy; encryption and electronic signatures.

Our clients rely on us to solve their most complex, business – critical IP,  data and commercial issues.

On major transactions, you need lawyers that can quickly resolve difficult IP, data and commercial issues. We have advised on many IP-heavy deals; including but not limited to, M&A transactions, IPOs, franchisings and corporate re-structurings.

We also assert or defend your rights in court through the coordination of raids by Saudi regulatory authorities and by liaison with customs officials to prevent the import of counterfeit goods.  Our IP practice has also assisted clients over many years in the registration and renewal of their IP rights in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Our employment team advises on all types of employment related legal issues from termination of employment and whistle-blowing claims, thefts of confidential information and enforcement of restrictive covenants, to the drafting of, and advising on employment contracts.

Our priority in employment disputes is to help you stay out of the court room, but we are perfectly placed to assist you if you do end up in court. We will match the right blend of skills to the litigation and we will track progress to budget, ensuring our advice is both cost-effective and of the highest quality.

In terms of advice, we ensure your employment contracts are legally sound, protect your interests and reflect your business requirements.

We offer our clients the flexibility to advise our clients on whatever finance raising structures they need, whether they are a listed corporate tapping investment-grade credit or a private equity fund looking for a more complex, multisource solution.

Our advice covers equity and debt capital markets transactions, including high yield, alongside banking, derivatives, structured products, securitisation, and project and asset finance.

Our lawyers understand a broad range of products but also have deep specialist knowledge through working on complex transactions so our clients can get the right result whatever the circumstances.

Because we seamlessly work with our associated law firm, Law Firms Branches, across borders, we deliver international advice of the highest quality in the most efficient way possible.

Our disputes practice combines the knowledge of Saudi law and the practicalities of doing business in Saudi Arabia within LOSK (one of the largest and oldest firms in Saudi Arabia) with the global reach and expertise of Law Firms Branches. We believe that the size of our team and the strong history behind our association provides one of the strongest platforms in Saudi Arabia for both local and international clients.

LOSK is a leading dispute resolution law firm in Saudi Arabia with extensive litigation experience before the Saudi Courts and quasi-judicial committees. The LOSK team represents clients in Saudi and international commercial arbitrations, as well as in mediated settlements and enforcement proceedings. LOSK is the first law firm in Saudi Arabia to successfully enforce a foreign judgment. Our team is headed by its founder and principal, Saud Al Khulait Al Hejailan CBE, and comprises two partners, Jamal Hamza (Head of Litigation, Riyadh) and Sultan Al-Hejailan (Head of Litigation, Jeddah and Al Khobar), supported by 10 lawyers, whose practice encompasses major Saudi and foreign clients, including banks, insurance companies, defence contractors, heavy industry corporations and construction companies. We also represent significant members of the Saudi Royal family, involved in litigation and arbitration within and outside the Kingdom, including advising on, and successfully enforcing, arbitral awards.

The International Arbitration Group

Law Firms Branches is the pre-eminent international arbitration practice.  It has consistently topped the legal directories’ surveys of leading international arbitration practices, both worldwide and in the MENA region.  No other law firm can match its breadth of experience or depth of international arbitration expertise.

With market-leading teams in the UAE, Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, New York, Washington, Singapore, Frankfurt and Moscow, the truly global nature of our practice sets us apart. Law Firms Branches conducts arbitrations all over the world, whatever the governing law of the dispute, the language, or the arbitration rules under which the dispute is to be resolved.

The Law Firms Branches team comprises some of the world’s most prominent arbitration practitioners, who hold high-profile positions in the major arbitration institutions, governmental organisations and professional associations. In addition, senior members of the group selectively accept appointments as arbitrators, and are particularly well qualified to advise clients on the optimal arbitration strategy for their cases.