Ian Arnott

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.

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Eyes
On 2025

Legal Updates in
Middle East & North Africa

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.

The leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Ian Arnott

Head of Hospitality Development

Biography

Ian specialises in all aspects of real estate and hotels and leisure related matters throughout the GCC. Ian trained in the City of London and qualified as a lawyer in England & Wales in 2006. He moved to the region in 2008 with Simmons & Simmons where he worked in both its Doha and Dubai offices for a number of years. After a subsequent period working in the Dubai office of a UK based law firm renowned for its real estate practice, Ian joined Al Tamimi & Company in Dubai in early 2017.

Ian has acted for a wide range of clients including institutional and other types of property investors, property developers, financial institutions, government bodies, landlords and tenants and owners and operators of hotels and serviced apartments. Ian is also a member of the firm’s Education practice group.

Ian specialises in acquisitions and disposals (including hotels and multi-let commercial buildings), hotel/serviced apartments management agreements and ancillary documentation, landlord and tenant matters in a wide range of sectors including office, retail and industrial (including advising upon rights of usufruct and musataha), sale and leaseback transactions, land development, strata title and master community schemes, unit sale and purchase agreements and drafting of property related legislation.

Recent Experience

Advising Abu Dhabi National Hotels on the portfolio acquisition of Address Dubai Mall, Address Boulevard, Address Dubai Marina, Vida Downtown and Manzil Downtown hotels in Dubai from Emaar Properties and negotiation of form of hotel management agreement.
Advising Sweid & Sweid on the sale of The Edge office building in Dubai Internet City to ENBD REIT.
Advising Emaar Malls in the preparation and negotiation of a long term management agreement between Emaar and Time Out Market relating to the management of a high-end restaurant food court in Dubai using the “Time Out Market” brand.
Drafting standard office and retail lease documentation for a number of high profile properties including Jumeirah Emirates Towers and One Central in Dubai and Burj Doha in Qatar.
Advising multiple multinational tenants relating to the lease of premises across the region including HSBC, Goldman Sachs, Facebook, Marsh, Caterpillar, Gartner, Cigna, Renault and The Arts Club.
Advising Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company on the negotiation of hotel management agreement and branded residences related documentation with Accor regarding Swissôtel Doha Corniche Park Towers Hotel & Residences.
Advising Steigenberger / Deutsche Hospitality on all aspect of its Middle East operations.
Advising multiple hotel owners across the region regarding hotel management agreements relating to such brands as Intercontinental, Novotel, Mysk by Shaza, Radisson, Swiss Belsuites, Millennium and Rotana.