Find a Lawyer
Book an appointment with us, or search the directory to find the right lawyer for you directly through the app.
Find out more
Rise of Generative AI
Welcome to the latest edition of Law Update titled “Rise of Generative AI.”
In this edition, we dive into the dynamic world of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. TMT continues to play a vital role in positioning the region as an international business and social hub, driving significant growth and innovation.
Our focus in this Law Update is on the sector’s ongoing potential to advance and propel the region toward a more digital economy. We explore the benefits of embracing a digital transformation and how local authorities have responded by enhancing regulations to accommodate the evolving TMT landscape.
This edition covers a range of topics, including – the new Telecommunications & Information Technology Law in Saudi Arabia, the intricacies of trademarks in the Metaverse, and the legal challenges faced by the video game industry. Additionally, we take a regional perspective, discussing jurisdictions such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain to provide a comprehensive understanding of the TMT landscape.
We hope you thoroughly enjoy this packed issue of Law Update, filled with captivating articles that address key legal issues within a vital sector for the region.
Read the full edition
A complete spectrum of legal services across jurisdictions in the Middle East & North Africa.
Matthew Heaton
Partner, Head of Office, Head of Banking & Finance - Qatar
Biography
Matthew Heaton is a Partner and Head of Office in Qatar, and Head of Qatar’s Banking & Finance practice.
Matthew has broad experience of all aspects of finance law, acting for both borrowers and lenders. Prior to joining, Matthew was a banking & finance partner based in London at a leading global law firm. He has particular expertise in acquisition and leveraged finance, corporate lending and real estate finance, as well as regulatory and capital market matters. He is expert in the laws of both Qatar and the Qatar Financial Centre, as well as remaining qualified to practice English law. Matthew advises borrowers, funders and sponsors, including banks, equity and debt funds, listed corporates, private companies and mezzanine funders. He also advises on syndicated, club and bilateral financings. He has broad experience of leveraged finance and private equity transactions, and in advising purchasers and sellers of stressed and distressed loan portfolios.
In addition, Matthew has experience of general corporate and commercial transactions, and has a great deal of recent experience in the establishment and licencing of regulated entities within Qatar.
Recent Experience
- Advising a syndicate of banks on a EUR 5.6 billion loan to the State of Qatar acting through the Ministry of Defence for purchase of military jets and related products and services, guaranteed by the State of Qatar acting through the Ministry of Finance
- Establishing a representative office of a major European financial institution in the Qatar Financial Centre
- Advising a leading Qatar university on the establishment of an endowment fund
- Advising a Qatar-headquartered conglomerate on the restructuring of its financing arrangements
- Advising a pan-GCC group of companies on the restructuring of its Qatar operations
- Advising a private equity fund on its €8 billion acquisition of a portfolio of non-performing loans secured against assets located across Europe
Language(s)
- English
Education
1995 – Bachelor of Law, London School of Economics and Political Science
Admission
1998 – Solicitor, England & Wales
Practice(s)
Sector(s)
Insights
Stay updated
To learn more about our services and get the latest legal insights from across the Middle East and North Africa region, click on the link below.
