Krishna Jhala

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.

Krishna Jhala

Senior Counsel

Biography

Krishna Jhala has over 11 years of post-qualification experience. As a member of Digital & Data team she regularly advices on full range of commercial, outsourcing, telecommunications, technology, privacy, data protection, e-commerce and media law matters.

Krishna spent valuable time on secondment to Smart Dubai Government, the technology arm of the Government of Dubai where she assisted them on their Paperless Initiative, Blockchain Strategy and Smart Services. She was also seconded to Mastercard where she was part of Privacy and Data Protection team for Middle East and Africa region.

Her practice includes advising on local law compliance in respect of technology and data related issues, ranging from government procurement rules in a technology context, the use of off-shore storage and processing platforms, e-commerce issues and digital payments regulation, the use of encryption technology and VPNs, implementation of cloud-based platforms and wider data localisation/data residency matters.

In 2011, Krishna was presented the ITech Law Travelling Fellowship. As a part of the Fellowship, she worked with six different laws firms in Europe including Setterwalls (Sweden), Hogan Lovells (Munich), Franklin (Paris) and Dr. Widmer & Partners (Switzerland), CMS Hasche Sigle (Germany) and Matheson Ormsby Prentice (Ireland) with their respective TMT teams. She is an active member of the ITech Law (International Technology Law Association) and IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals).

Prior to joining Al Tamimi & Company in 2017, Krishna was practicing in India and primarily dealing in technology, media and telecommunication sector as well as corporate commercial matters.

Recent Experience

Representing a satellite communications company in its acquisition of up to 100 per cent stake of another mobile satellite communications company through a sale and purchase agreement between the Purchaser and the Target’s five majority shareholders.
Advising on legal regulatory issues concerning the Internet of Things, in particular, telematics for connected cars for various major automotive manufacturers in the GCC region.
Advising an international technology company in respect of the regional regulatory environment for the establishment and operation of internet data centres and cloud computing operations.
Advising global social media platform operator on federal and local government procurement requirements, and associated contractual negotiations.
Advising a global leader in cloud services in respect of data protection and telecommunications regulatory considerations.
Advising an international mobile phone operator on legal and regulatory framework for ownership, operation and remote management of Telecoms Network Equipment.
Advising on data protection laws within the GCC region including handling sensitive personal information by multinationals and BPOs.