Book an appointment with us, or search the directory to find the right lawyer for you directly through the app.
Find out moreThe first Law Update of 2024 is here, and our first focus of the year spotlights Healthcare and Lifesciences, a sector that is undergoing significant growth and development across the MENA region.
Our focus provides an insight into some of the most important regulatory updates across the region, such as the UAE’s groundbreaking law on the use of human genome, Kuwait’s resolution on nuclear and radioactive materials, the new regulations for healthcare services in Qatar, Egypt’s healthcare regulatory framework, and the impact of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law on the healthcare and life sciences sector … and there is so much more!
Beyond the healthcare pages our lawyers share with you multi-sector insights where you will discover articles on Dubai’s DIFC regulatory framework for startups, Bahrain’s commercial agencies law, and we also shed light on Kuwaiti civil code and the advantages of setting up a joint stock company in Saudi Arabia.
Read the full editionHamzah Al Shammaa
March 2015
Many Islamic financial institutions and investment companies in Kuwait have used and continue to use Shariah compliant financing methods including murabaha, bay bithamanajil, ijarah, musharaka and istisna. The previously mentioned instruments ensure that those seeking alternatives to conventional financing have an opportunity to use these Shariah compliant methods, allowing them to avoid exposure to riba (interest). As many already know, any form of riba is prohibited under the principles of Islamic Shariah.
More recently, customers now have the opportunity, using the global commodity markets, to open direct investment deposits (“DI Deposit”) with Shariah compliant banks. When completing a DI Deposit, the following procedures are followed:
Unfortunately, there have been instances where DI Deposit agreements do not provide proper instructions on prepayment methods for its customers. The direct investment must outline how prepayment should be distributed in the event the customer or the bank wants to terminate the underlying arrangement.
Some direct investment agreements include language identifying the rights and responsibilities of the parties in the event of prepayment. Nonetheless, the best method to employ in early prepayment is by having the executing customer fill out a prepayment request form with the bank responding with an offer and acceptance form. The prepayment request form must outline the transaction date, the description of commodities, the total price paid and the deferred payment date. The latter form should also reference the original direct deposit agreement and the current request to make payment of the total price on an earlier date subject to a discounted price, while factoring in early payment, and calculate a reduction in the profit amount owed to the Bank. The offer and acceptance form must also provide specific details to identify the underlying transaction.
While Sharia compliant direct deposits can be attractive form of investment, potential investors should seek legal advice prior to undertaking any commitments so as to ensure, amongst other things, they have adequate prepayment options.
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.