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Real Estate & Construction and Hotels & Leisure
Real estate, construction, and hospitality are at the forefront of transformation across the Middle East – reshaping cities, driving investment, and demanding increasingly sophisticated legal frameworks.
In the June edition of Law Update, we take a closer look at the legal shifts influencing the sector – from Dubai’s new Real Estate Investment Funds Law and major reforms in Qatar, to Bahrain’s push toward digitalisation in property and timeshare regulation. We also explore practical issues around strata, zoning, joint ventures, and hotel management agreements that are critical to navigating today’s market.
As the landscape becomes more complex, understanding the legal dynamics behind these developments is key to making informed, strategic decisions.
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.
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)
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