People
Asal is an English-qualified banking and investment finance counsel based in our Dubai office. With over 15 years’ experience leading on advanced international financing transactions, Asal represents clients on complex conventional and Shari'ah-compliant financings.
Asal acts for borrowers and lenders on a wide range of cross-border banking and finance transactions, with a focus on cross-border investments, having previously practiced in London and Frankfurt. She specialises in European outbound Islamic finance transactions, advising on critical client investments in corporate and real estate assets across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider EMEA region. Her portfolio includes corporate financings, traditional and alternative Shari'ah-compliant financings and debt restructurings.
Asal is ranked by The Legal 500 EMEA as a "key lawyer" in Islamic finance and is part of the King & Spalding practice that repeatedly receives respected market accolades. Recent examples include the 2022 IFN Awards Insolvency and Restructuring Firm of the Year, the Real Estate Team of the Year Award at the Middle East Legal Awards 2022, Project Finance International’s 2020 Middle East & Africa Solar Deal of the Year, and the IFN Commodity Deal of the Year 2022.
Asal is a prominent thought leader, speaking at industry events and contributing thought leadership pieces on critical legal issues as well as diversity and inclusion in the profession. She has been a member of various King & Spalding global task forces on issues such as Covid-19, Libor and ESG.
Prior to joining King & Spalding, Asal practiced as a lawyer in the London office of a “Magic Circle” law firm.
Law Studies, BPP Law School
LL.B. with Honours, University of Bristol, UK
LL.B., University of Leuven
England and Wales
UK Law Society
September 19, 2023
Asal Saghari explains why sustainability is picking up pace in the UK and globally
September 12, 2023
Asal Saghari discusses the impact of Middle Eastern investors lending by way of Shariah compliant financing structures into the commercial real estate sector
April 12, 2023
Legal 500 EMEA 2023 Recognizes King & Spalding among the Top Firms in Europe, the Middle East and Africa
1. Outbound: Real Estate Investment and General Banking & Finance
Advised a Saudi Arabian family office in connection with the buy-out of a 50% interest in a European packaging business from its joint venture partner, including advising on the acquisition financing.
Advised Qatar First Bank in connection with the refinancing of its portfolio of properties leased to Marks & Spencer. The transaction was refinanced on a Shari’ah-compliant basis.
Advised a prominent Saudi client in relation to the provision of a Shari’ah-compliant facility to fund the acquisition of land for development in Vauxhall Cross, London and the subsequent re-structuring of that facility.
See more
September 26, 2023
Real Estate of Mind: Takeaways from IFN UK Forum 2023
January 2, 2023
Forward-looking perspective for women in Islamic Finance
November 16, 2022
New in November: A Record for Green Financing, The Road to COP28, Commitment to Making Telecommunications Sustainable, and More
September 19, 2023
Asal Saghari explains why sustainability is picking up pace in the UK and globally
September 12, 2023
Asal Saghari discusses the impact of Middle Eastern investors lending by way of Shariah compliant financing structures into the commercial real estate sector
April 12, 2023
Legal 500 EMEA 2023 Recognizes King & Spalding among the Top Firms in Europe, the Middle East and Africa
1. Outbound: Real Estate Investment and General Banking & Finance
Advised a Saudi Arabian family office in connection with the buy-out of a 50% interest in a European packaging business from its joint venture partner, including advising on the acquisition financing.
Advised Qatar First Bank in connection with the refinancing of its portfolio of properties leased to Marks & Spencer. The transaction was refinanced on a Shari’ah-compliant basis.
Advised a prominent Saudi client in relation to the provision of a Shari’ah-compliant facility to fund the acquisition of land for development in Vauxhall Cross, London and the subsequent re-structuring of that facility.
See more
September 26, 2023
Real Estate of Mind: Takeaways from IFN UK Forum 2023
January 2, 2023
Forward-looking perspective for women in Islamic Finance
November 16, 2022
New in November: A Record for Green Financing, The Road to COP28, Commitment to Making Telecommunications Sustainable, and More
September 19, 2023
Asal Saghari explains why sustainability is picking up pace in the UK and globally
September 12, 2023
Asal Saghari discusses the impact of Middle Eastern investors lending by way of Shariah compliant financing structures into the commercial real estate sector
April 12, 2023
Legal 500 EMEA 2023 Recognizes King & Spalding among the Top Firms in Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Law Studies, BPP Law School
LL.B. with Honours, University of Bristol, UK
LL.B., University of Leuven
England and Wales
UK Law Society