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Find out moreReal 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.
Hamzah 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.
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