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Level Up: Unlocking Financial Potential In The Middle East
Welcome to this edition of Law Update, where we focus on the ever-evolving landscape of financial services regulation across the region. As the financial markets in the region continue to grow and diversify, this issue provides timely insights into the key regulatory developments shaping banking, investment, insolvency, and emerging technologies.
2025 is set to be a game-changer for the MENA region, with legal and regulatory shifts from 2024 continuing to reshape its economic landscape. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain are all implementing groundbreaking reforms in sustainable financing, investment laws, labor regulations, and dispute resolution. As the region positions itself for deeper global integration, businesses must adapt to a rapidly evolving legal environment.
Our Eyes on 2025 publication provides essential insights and practical guidance on the key legal updates shaping the year ahead—equipping you with the knowledge to stay ahead in this dynamic market.
A complete spectrum of legal services across jurisdictions in the Middle East & North Africa.
Andrew Tarbuck
Partner, Head of Corporate Commercial
Biography
Andrew is a Partner and the Head of Capital Markets at Al Tamimi and, with over 17 years of experience in the region, he is widely recognised as a leading lawyer for capital markets and public company advisory in the Middle East. Andrew has particular expertise in all aspects of corporate finance including equity capital markets, particularly IPOs and rights issues, debt capital markets., all aspects of public company M&A and regulatory work and corporate law.
Andrew was ranked in Band 1 in Chambers Global for several years and is a “Leading Individual” in Legal 500 for UAE and Middle East Capital Markets. Commentators described him as “very knowledgeable, practical and energetic, and gets things done“, “a big player who brings a lot of expertise to his team” and as “a leading figure in the capital markets space” with “a solid track record in multibillion-dollar IPOs”. Clients have been quoted: “Andrew has been stellar; our work would not have come to fruition without his advice.” and “I particularly like his blend of technical know-how, commercial knowledge and innovative thinking.” Other sources praise his “great reputation” and state that “he is amazingly knowledgeable” and is described as “one of the leading capital markets practitioners in the UAE: he is absolutely first-class”.
Recent Experience
- Network International Holdings plc on its £1.5 billion IPO on the London Stock Exchange.
- Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority on the establishment of a UAE free zone stock exchange (a selected Dubai Government 10X Project).
- Bank of London and The Middle East plc on its share buy-back programme on Nasdaq Dubai.
- The proposed sale of a significant stake in a UAE public company and establishment of various real estate funds.
- EFG Hermes, HSBC, Barclays, BAML on the dual listing of Orascom Construction Limited on NASDAQ Dubai and the Egyptian Stock Exchange and demerger from Euronext.
- National Commercial Bank on its US$6 billion IPO and listing on the Saudi Tadawul (largest IPO ever in the Middle East/second largest IPO globally in 2014).
- AIG Alico and Bawan Group on their IPOs and listings on the Saudi Tadawul.
- DAMAC Properties on its global GDR exchange offer and listing on the Dubai Financial Market, which included a de-listing of GDRs on the London Stock Exchange.
- Qatar Petroleum on the retail IPO of Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company and listing on the Qatar Exchange.
- Ooredoo (formerly Qtel) on the establishment of a U.S.$2bn airtime Sukuk programme and issuance of U.S.$1.25bn of trust certificates.
- Ooredoo on the establishment and issuance of a Rule 144A US$3 billion GMTN programme.
- Sembcorp Salalah on its IPO and listing on the Muscat Securities Market.
- Asiacell on its US$1.3 billion IPO on the Iraq Stock Exchange.
- JLMs on the issuance of US$250 million 8.25% notes by Investcorp S.A..
- Nasdaq Dubai on various regulatory matters.
Language(s)
- English
Education
1995 – Post Graduate Diploma in Law – Legal Practice Course. College of Law, Chester.
1994 – Post Graduate Diploma in Law – Common Professional Examination. College of Law, Chester.
1993 – BA (Hons) 2:1 History. University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Admission
1998 – England & Wales, Solicitor
Practice(s)
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