Corporate Matters

We provide a full range of professional services to our clients to advise and assist them in connection with their corporate legal needs, including corporate formation, corporate "housekeeping" and corporate finance matters.

At the most fundamental level, we advise local and international businesses on the various forms of companies recognized under Saudi Arabian law and the relative merits and regulatory requirements for each of these forms. We assist our clients in choosing which corporate structure best meets their commercial and operational needs and prepare the appropriate formation documents such as Articles of Association and corporate By-Laws. In addition, we assist in preparing the application to the Ministry of Commerce and handle other registration formalities necessary to obtain the final Certificate of Commercial Registration for the new company.

Many foreign companies wishing to establish a legal presence in the Kingdom enter into joint venture partnerships with local Saudi partners to form limited liability companies licensed under the Saudi Arabian Foreign Capital Investment Code and Foreign Capital Investment Regulations. We offer advice and assistance in connection with the negotiation and drafting of the joint venture agreements and other necessary company documentation, and work with our clients to prepare and follow up the application to the Ministry of Industry and Electricity for the company license.

Following company formation, we offer ongoing "housekeeping" services to corporate clients in maintaining the corporate records required under Saudi law, preparing shareholder resolutions or Board of Directors resolutions, advising on legal aspects of corporate governance and compliance with the Saudi Arabian Companies Regulations, and assisting with such matters as share transfers, opening of branch offices, changing of General Managers and effecting amendments to the company formation documents. All such work is prepared in English or Arabic as the circumstances require.

We also counsel our clients in connection with corporate financial matters relating to acquisition financing, lease financing, debt structuring and, as part of the growing market for corporate securities in the Kingdom, advice and assistance in connection with the issuance and sale of company stock. We are frequently asked to assist with the evaluation of various corporate investment projects both in and out of Kingdom and in conjunction with such evaluations offer advice and assistance in connection with the legal and financial structuring of such projects.

Many of our clients have global business interests and we assist them in connection with the establishment of international off-shore companies to act as holding companies or international operating companies to meet their expanding commercial interests. To this end, we offer advice relating to the structuring, financing and management of such international companies. We have close working relations with a number of firms located in the most popular off-shore jurisdictions and can effect company formation if required with 2 - 3 days time. We also offer director and/or nominee shareholder services for such companies if requested by our clients, and assist in preparing and maintaining all necessary corporate records and governmental filings.