Sharia compliant UK Property Investment

In the past, the availability of Islamic finance was quite restricted in the UK, but now almost every bank and alternative finance provider can provide facilities or conduct transactions in full compliance with Sharia.

The theological basis for Islamic finance stems partly from the traditional prohibition of interest, which means that interest-based lending may not appeal to followers of Islam.

Increasing numbers of corporate bodies (Muslim or otherwise) agree with the underlying principles of Islamic finance including the equitable distribution of profit and risk and the ideals of fair trading and the operation of ethical banking practices. Islamic finance products have been structured to avoid the payment of interest. These financial products have been developed so that they fall within the regulatory and legal framework of England and Wales.

Acted for a Middle Eastern family client wishing to expand their already substantial UK property portfolio and requiring a £21m Islamic Murabaha Financing arrangement for the purchase of 8 residential units by way of an overarching assignment of 8 existing contracts to a newly formed Company. Arranging the associated structuring advice and tax advice and for all associated client meetings, transaction documents and advice notes to be provided to the client in Arabic and English.

Advised a Middle Eastern client on a £70m refinancing of a commercial property in central London. The funder was offshore but acting through its London branch and the client’s trust administrator was based in Jersey, requiring us to co-ordinate matters with multiple parties across three jurisdictions.