Forward

Thank you for your continued interest in our Middle East newsletter, measure. As we near the end of another year, we look forward to continued improvement of economic conditions in the GCC region in the ensuing year as well as the opportunity to serve our clients in their increasing transactional activities. Once again, in this edition we have attempted to offer an array of articles relevant to the needs and interests of our clients in the Middle East. Articles pertaining to Shari’ah-Compliant funds, energy, arbitration and real estate are included in this edition. In addition, we are pleased to include information regarding the relocation of our Dubai office to the Dubai International Financial Centre as well as the opening of our new offices in Geneva and Singapore

Best wishes for a prosperous 2011.

In This Issue:

03 Islamic Finance

Structuring Shari’ah-compliant Funds to Target GCC Capital Nabil Issa and James Stull review the challenges presented for the funds industry amidst the global economic downturn.

07 Energy

Developments in the Asian Gas Market Phillip Weems and Michael Sparks look at the active energy growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

10 Arbitration

Jivraj v. Hashwani and the Enforceability of Arbitral Appointment Clauses

Mike Rainey and Asal Saghari explain the facts of this case and discuss how the court’s decision affects parties’ rights to appoint arbitrators as well as arbitration provisions in certain Islamic finance transactions.

12 Real Estate

Recent Dubai and Abu Dhabi Real Estate Legislation Tim Tucker provides highlights of recent real estate legislation enacted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

15 Dubai Office Relocation

Recent Dubai Office Relocation and New Geneva and Singapore offices for King & Spalding.

21 endnotes

Recent Events, Upcoming Events and Our Practice