Middle East Team
We have a particular knowledge of and strong connections with the Middle East which extend across a wide network of international contacts and access to relevant associations.
We are members of a number of international trade organizations including The Arab British Chamber of Commerce, the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) and the British Iranian Business Association.
We have assisted Middle Eastern companies keen to do business in the UK and English and European companies wanting to invest in the Middle East. That advice has included advising major European oil and gas companies on their joint ventures with the National Iranian Oil Company; advising national shipping companies on their international disputes including sale of goods contracts and charterparties and acting for an investment house on a £9m banking dispute and a £7m telecoms dispute.
Partner Sally Azarmi is a fluent Farsi speaker and often presents seminars on English law to Middle Eastern companies and individuals; on Iranian business culture to European companies and on the effects of sanctions on international trade. Her regular visits to the Middle East, where she has a home, have included two trade missions with the London Chamber of Commerce.
We also provide specialist wealth management advice for Middle Eastern individuals and their families investing in the UK. This includes advice relating to UK property (particularly investment in farms, estates and equestrian property) Agricultural & Equestrian Property, trading and taxation issues, UK probate issues and co-ordinating advice for the family on succession structures across various jurisdictions.