Richard Catling

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

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

Richard Catling

Partner

Biography

Richard is experienced in many aspects of corporate work including domestic and international mergers and acquisitions in various industries, including health care, education, logistics, food and beverage, retail, etc, and reorganizations and joint ventures.

He also specialises in regional private equity and venture capital funding, with particular expertise in advising on investments in technology and media.

Richard has advised upon many UAE and regional M&A and joint venture transactions, including advising international companies on structuring options available to them that allow them to carry on business in Dubai and in the UAE.

Richard also specialises in advising regional high net worth individuals and family businesses on restructuring and, in particular, trust structuring, acting for some of the largest family companies in the Middle East and the wider MENA region on their deal and governance structures.

Richard is ranked as a Leading Individual in Legal 500 for Commercial, Corporate and M&A.

Recent Experience

Representing Gulf Medical Projects Company on the sale of the Al Zahra Hospital Group in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates of the UAE for USD 572 million.
Representing the a major multinational beverage company in a cross border acquisition of Aujan Industries Company in ten jurisdictions. The transaction value was USD 980 million.
Advising Empower District Cooling (Dubai government entity) on its USD 500 million acquisition of the Palm District Cooling business to form the largest district cooling operation in the world.
Representing a GCC banking institution in the purchase of the Movenpick Hotel at Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina.
Acting for the investment arm of MBC Group in various separate instructions relating to MBC’s equity investments in early-stage companies in the media and technology industries in the MENA region.
Representing the lead investor in connection with the establishment of an investment company in the DIFC with a group of investors to raise USD 160 million in investment in Middle Eastern food businesses.