Norton Rose Fulbright Islamic finance work recognised as IFN Deals of the Year 2018

Three deals on which global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright advised have won the accolade ‘Deals of the Year 2018’ from the Islamic Finance News (IFN) annual listing of the most high-profile deals in Islamic finance.

Judges for the leading global Islamic finance publication recognised the firm’s work on winning deals in the Sukuk, Sovereign, UK, Indonesia and Kuwait categories, with two of these deals also shortlisted for the overall Deal of the Year award.

The winning deals are:

• Indonesia and Sovereign categories: US$1.25 billion five-year green sukuk for the Republic of Indonesia, the world’s first-ever sovereign green sukuk issuance. The proceeds will be used exclusively to finance or refinance expenditure directly related to ‘Eligible Green Projects’ as defined in the Green Bond and Green Sukuk Framework of the Republic of Indonesia. Led by partner Gregory Man (Dubai).
• Sukuk and UK categories: A residential mortgage-backed sukuk, representing Al Rayan Bank plc on Tolkien Funding Sukuk No. 1 plc. Tolkien was the first Islamic mortgage-backed securitisation in the UK and the first public securitisation under the UK’s "alternative finance arrangements" regime. Partners Gregory Man (Dubai) and David Shearer (London) led a team from across Norton Rose Fulbright’s London, Dubai and New York offices.
• Kuwait category: US$250 million refinancing for Kuwait International Bank. Led by partner and Norton Rose Fulbright head of Islamic finance for Middle East and Africa, Mohammed Paracha (Dubai).

Mohammed Paracha, head of Islamic finance for Middle East and Africa at Norton Rose Fulbright, commented:

“In 2019 we expect global appetite for Shariah-compliant financing to continue to grow, so it’s fantastic to see continued industry recognition across a selection of the truly groundbreaking Islamic finance matters we have advised on.” 

Separately, the Government of Indonesia’s $1.25 billion green sukuk was also recognised as Best ESG Deal at the FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2018.
Norton Rose Fulbright’s Islamic finance practice is one of the longest-established in the market and continues to advise a wide variety of high profile clients on cross-border work.

For further information please contact:

Gemma Perks, Senior PR Manager 
Tel +44 20 7444 3104; Mob +44 7711 191230 
gemma.perks@nortonrosefulbright.com

Notes for editors:

Norton Rose Fulbright 

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm providing the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. The firm has more than 4,000 lawyers and other legal staff based in Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

Recognized for its industry focus, Norton Rose Fulbright is strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare. Through its global risk advisory group, the firm leverages its industry experience with its knowledge of legal, regulatory, compliance and governance issues to provide clients with practical solutions to the legal and regulatory risks facing their businesses.

Norton Rose Fulbright operates in accordance with its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, aiming to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of its offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.

Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein, helps coordinate the activities of Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Norton Rose Fulbright has offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg. For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices. 

Law around the world
nortonrosefulbright.com