Middle east Real estate pRacticeOur regional Real Estate group is closely aligned with our global practice, one of the largest real estate teams in the world. Through this international team we are able to coordinate transactions of Middle Eastern clients in other jurisdictions. Our emphasis is always on delivering a commercial, responsive and cost efficient service. We are one team, here to simplify projects and provide a real advantage to you in the Middle East and beyond.

The team specialises in helping you make informed decisions about your real estate needs and to transact successful deals, wherever they may be.

OVeRVieW

Real Estate is a core practice area for the firm with a team of over 500 lawyers across DLA Piper’s offices worldwide.

We act for some of the world’s largest real estate investors and developers. Locally, we act for many leading master developers and Government-owned entities on some of the most high profile projects in the UAE. We have considerable experience in the acquisition and development of freehold and leasehold property and the structuring of mixed-use schemes, including community and strata title schemes.

tHe teaM

The team focuses on the outcomes unique to each deal. Our Arabic-speaking lawyers ensure that our clients meet their regulatory requirements quickly and efficiently. In the fast moving markets of the Middle East, speed of response and a quality legal product are necessities for clients in order to take advantage of opportunities. We believe our team can give you that edge.

No matter the size of the local, regional or international project or transaction, we have lawyers on the ground, in strategic, regional locations to meet all our clients legal needs.

ReGiONal pReseNce

02 | Middle East Real Estate Practice

eXpeRtise

What we do can be categorised as follows:

Acquisitions and disposals ■ – we handle all aspects of site assembly and acquisition, including due diligence, contract negotiation and registration of title.

Asset management ■ – we advise on all types of property and facilities management agreements, including assisting with proposal procedures and negotiating contract terms.

Construction ■ – our construction team has worked on many signature projects in the region as well as advising on contentious construction matters.

Development work ■ – we advise on complex development agreements, including joint venture structures and financing arrangements.

Hotels and leisure ■ – our team advises local and international developers, franchisors, operators and owners on hotel projects in the Middle East and around the world, including hotel management arrangements for new developments and day-to-day operational matters.

Leasing ■ – we act for owners and occupiers of all types of commercial property, including developing housing policies for large corporate occupiers.

Real Estate finance ■ – our lawyers handle complex real estate financing matters for both borrowers and lenders, including Islamic financing.

Real Estate disputes ■ – the team will work with you to find the most cost-effective and appropriate resolution for your business.

We have excellent contacts at various regulatory bodies in the region through the firm’s Arabic-speaking lawyers.

Our team brings international insight and best practice and combines it with local understanding and know-how. This combination allows us to devise and execute transactions in a manner to satisfy the requirements of sophisticated clients in local markets where local regulation has not yet reached full maturity.

acQUisitiONs aNd dispOsals

Our lawyers represent clients in transactions involving all kinds of assets, including the acquisition and disposal of commercial property such as office buildings, shopping centres and hotels, as well as industrial property. We can also guide you on the sale and purchase of leisure premises (such as golf complexes, gymnasiums and spas), schools and student residences, and undeveloped sites.

asset MaNaGeMeNt

Asset managers can enjoy a full service from DLA Piper, whatever their sector or strategy. We advise on the establishment of management firms, whether ‘spin off’, start-up or on an expansion basis. We can also provide comprehensive regulatory and compliance advice. If you’re looking to expand beyond your home market, our global team can assist you. The team works to an international standard tailored for the local market.

cONstRUctiON

One of the largest dedicated construction and engineering practices in the Middle East, our lawyers will stand by your side through every stage of your construction project.

Our lawyers advise on all forms of contracts, including construct only, design and build, EPC, EPCM, alliance, construction management, consultancy and the full suite of FIDIC and other commonly used standard form contracts.

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deVelOpMeNt

From site assembly to exit strategy, the team gets the right results for you. Our lawyers have experience in every stage of a development project, meaning we have insight into the needs and objectives of a wide range of stakeholders. The practice is committed to the best outcome for all; a successful, marketable development.

Our lawyers can deliver the right contractual arrangements to cater for your funding needs and the appropriate risk profile for your investment or development. The team operates closely with our construction specialists to provide tailored and commercial advice.

HOtels & leisURe

Our team provides a wide range of legal services to the hospitality and leisure sector throughout the GCC states and the wider Middle East. We can help you overcome the many unique challenges you face across all areas of law; whether you are an owner, manager, franchisee, franchisor, operator, investor, developer or lender, including in respect of hotel management arrangements for new and existing hotel development projects.

We can help you with the management and operation of hotels and resorts. With a dedicated hotels and hospitality practice on the ground in the Middle East, members of our group are highly regarded for combining legal expertise, sector experience and commercial thinking. The team advises owners, managers, franchisees, franchisors,

operators, investors, developers and lenders with respect to hotels and other hospitality and leisure businesses.

Our global industry focus and experience enables us to provide a first class service to our clients in connection with their local and international investments and operations.

leasiNG

If you are a landlord or a tenant, we can advise you on the drafting and negotiation of lease agreements for different kinds of properties, such as offices, hotels, leisure facilities, retail and industrial premises. Our expertise includes sale and leaseback transactions.

Real estate FiNaNciNG

The team can help you create guarantee structures that minimise the cost of financing projects – an essential outcome in a highly competitive market. We also advise both lenders and investors on the financing of construction or purchase of all kinds of real estate assets.

Real estate dispUtes

Disputes can arise in even the most carefully managed portfolios and projects. The team delivers incisive advice across a broad spectrum of topics. Our lawyers will work with you from the start to assess the strengths and

weaknesses, minimise uncertainty and create pragmatic, workable solutions. Where there is no negotiated solution, we use the most cost-effective and appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms to achieve successful outcomes.

ReceNt eXpeRieNce aNd MaJOR pROJects

Mixed-use schemes

Titling and stratification of the Tiara Resort and ■

condominium development on The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai (320 room, 5-star hotel, 620 condominiums, luxury spa and health club, food and beverage outlets, and nursery and related facilities). Including working closely with the client and its retained strata consultants and surveyors, to prepare all community ownership documents comprising building management statements, community declarations and easement arrangements with adjoining owners.

Assisting a number of real estate developers with ■

their mixed-use schemes (retail, leisure and offices), including advising on how best to structure such schemes and accounting for issues relating to competing interests of tenants and other occupiers.

Advising Tourism Development and Investment Company ■

on a phased development and disposal agreement for two significant mixed-use developments in Abu Dhabi.

04 | Middle East Real Estate Practice

Advising Dubai Pearl in its capacity as the developer ■

of its signature project of the same name. The project involves the construction of an integrated city for 20,000 people, including offices, luxury apartments, five star hotels and a luxury shopping mall.

Advising an Abu Dhabi-based developer on all aspects ■

of its exclusive luxury island mixed-use development project, including the preparation of standard form sale and purchase agreements.

Advising Nakheel on the Trump International Hotel ■

and Tower, a mixed-use development on The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Advising Sukoon on a mixed-use development ■

in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

HOtels & leisURe

Advising Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company ■

on the hotel management agreements and ancillary documentation for the new aloft and Element hotels forming part of the Capital Centre/Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre development in Abu Dhabi.

Acting for a major Dubai-based international luxury ■

hotel operator in drafting and negotiating letters of understanding, hotel management agreements, technical

services agreements and other ancillary agreements for new developments in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, the wider Middle East and many countries in the world.

Assisting Al Futtaim Group Real Estate with a number of ■

its hotel projects at Festival City, Dubai.

Advising Emaar Hospitality Group on the hotel ■

management arrangements for three “The Address” hotels and resorts in Dubai. Drafted a template hotel management agreement to be utilised for the global rollout of “The Address” brand worldwide.

Represented Nakheel in respect of the roll out of a ■

franchised budget hotel chain, ‘easyHotels’, in the Middle East.

Advising a Saudi Arabia-based developer in respect of ■

hotel management agreements for various international hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

GeNeRal Real estate & cONstRUctiON

Advising a GCC Government entity on real estate ■

laws and regulations, including the preparation of a comparative study of laws in the GCC.

Advising an Abu Dhabi Government authority on all ■

aspects of delivering its leading edge, media focused development, including the drafting and negotiation of property management and leasing arrangements, the preparation of standard form leases, occupational licences, contracts for design, construction and consultancies for use throughout the project.

Advising Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company ■

(ADNEC) on the creation of its master community at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre and the on-going management of the development.

Advising Aldar on a number of property, construction ■

and joint venture arrangements, including advising on the hotels, retail and a theme park project on Yas Island; and providing on-going project advice on the Flagship City Centre Central Market redevelopment.

Advising Sunland Group, on their joint venture projects ■

with local firm ENSHAA, to develop the Palazzo Versace Hotel and Condominiums and “D1” (sister tower to “Q1”), a 79-story residential tower in Culture Village, Dubai.

Acting for the owner and developer of one of six ■

government-mandated new Economic Cities in Saudi Arabia.

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tom O’Grady

Real Estate Practice Group Head t +971 4 438 6322 tom.ogrady@dlapiper.com

dUBai

Bruce Mullins

Office Managing Partner t +968 2 464 7708 bruce.mullins@dlapiper.com

MUscat

duncan pickering

Partner t +971 2 494 1531 duncan.pickering@dlapiper.com

aBU dHaBi

eyad Reda

Office Managing Partner t +966 1 211 8156 eyad.reda@dlapiper.com

RiYadH

www.dlapiper.com

DLA Piper middle east llp is part of DLA Piper, a global law firm operating through various separate and distinct legal entities.

For further information please refer to www.dlapiper.com

Copyright © 2011 DLA Piper. All rights reserved. | SEP11 | 1807307

If you have finished with this document, please pass it on to other interested parties or recycle it, thank you.

Middle east Real estate KeY cONtacts

Real estate & construction – Ranked tier 1 in the Uae from 2008 to 2010

– Legal 500

abdul aziz al-Yaqout

Regional Managing Partner t +965 6557 0805 abdulazizal.yaqout@dlapiper.com

KUWait citY aNd MaNaMa