Managing Partner's Foreword

Managing Partner's ForewordThis Law Update focuses on headline sectors such as Real Estate, Construction, Hotels & Leisure which has had a significant impact on regional economies.Contents

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Law Update: Issue 359 - Real Estate & Construction and Hotels & Leisure

Welcome to this
month’s Law Update

This edition of Law Update focuses on headline sectors such as Real Estate, Construction, and Hotels & Leisure which no doubt has had a significant impact on regional economies, and today the influence of these sectors can be felt on a global scale. With captivating and visionary projects that set international benchmarks, these buoyant sectors, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), are firmly establishing themselves as global hubs for commerce, investment, and tourism. More specifically if we look at real estate, the region continues to exhibit a vibrant and diverse market offering, and an attractive return on investment that appeals to investors and end-users. However, it has become increasingly crucial to for this group to understand and navigate the legal intricacies surrounding property transactions, ownership structures, and evolving regulations with utmost care.

Similarly, the construction sector in the region stands as a testament to ambition and innovation. From towering skyscrapers to ground-breaking infrastructure projects, the region has gathered worldwide recognition for pushing the boundaries of architectural excellence. Alongside these sectors, hospitality remains a hallmark of the region, where it boasts an unparalleled collection of world-class hotels, resorts, and facilities by focusing on an unwavering commitment to creating unforgettable experiences. This has solidified its reputation as the prime destination for travellers and business visitors.

Our objective for this edition is to provide you with invaluable insights into the legal frameworks, regulatory considerations, and emerging practices that shape the Real Estate, Construction and Hotel & Leisure industries. The edition includes two deeply insightful interviews, first our Head of Real Estate discusses a regional overview of the sector with Andrew Love, Partner at Knight Frank, and the second is a conversation with Henry Sutton, Founder of the Gulf Data Centre Association, to explore the expanding data centre industry in the Gulf, and the trends and challenges businesses face.

In addition, this Law Update covers important topics, such as the ownership of real estate and how investors should navigate the market, and we have covered the issues faced with hotel management agreements and provide practical considerations to hotel projects and defects. Furthermore, our lawyers provide commentary on the construction market across the region. There is so much covered for you and whether you are an investor, developer, legal professional, or simply interested in staying informed, this focus edition will equip you with the knowledge necessary to navigate the ever-evolving legal landscape of the region’s Real Estate, Construction, Hotels & Leisure sectors.

This edition also features articles that sit outside the sector focus that cover legislative updates from several jurisdictions and areas of practice, and in the final section of this edition, we share a roundup of real-life judgments that provide context to the legal landscape across the region.

I hope you enjoy this issue, and should you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any of the lawyers who have contributed.