Real estate is a key practice area and a hallmark for BLFCA and we support clients operating in all sectors of the real estate industry.
BLFCA has extensive experience in orchestrating complex real estate services. The BLFCA capability to swiftly and competently provide legal services in structuring cross -border investments and transactions is prominent.
Our real estate team has broad experience advising on real estate investments across a wide range of jurisdictions mainly focused on the MENA and G.C.C regions. We have advised on a few high-profile real estate disposals and acquisitions, acting for corporations, investors, individuals and real estate investment subsidiaries.
BLFCA provides fully integrated real estate services from lawyers who have been independently recognized for their real estate acumen and capability to deliver top-notch advice where required with a focus on MENA and G.C.C jurisdictions. Our aspiration is to provide a value-added service to our clients, by delivering appraisals, resolving predicaments, advising our clients and closing transactions as promptly and advantageously as achievable.
BLFCA clients profit from our long-term experience and expertise in drafting legal instruments, negotiation tactics, steering legal and regulatory issues and litigation.
Practice Scope
BLFCA Real Estate Practice Group advises lenders, developers, investors, borrowers, property owners and tenants on:
- Real estate development.
- Real estate acquisitions and dispositions.
- Land use.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Conventional real estate purchase and sale transactions are a momentous part of our real estate practice. BLFCA advises buyers and sellers all over MENA and G.C.C jurisdictions in transactions concerning sales and acquisitions of major properties as well as midsized of every asset class on both a portfolio and individual property spheres. We have in-depth Knowledge in the fundamental specific prerequisites of transactions across a wide range of property types including residential, commercial, mixed use, industrial, hotels and resorts, office buildings, shopping centers, and development rights. We are also experienced in representing individual clients who had their private property confiscated through expropriation for public use by governmental agencies and seek prompt, adequate, and effective compensation in return.
BLFCA frequently counsel’s clients on structuring, financing and appraisal of a variety of real estate acquisitions and dispositions, as well as providing the requisite support on all legal aspects of acquisitions or dispositions. Our recognition of the dynamics and feasibility of real estate transactions and the prerequisites and prospects of our clients yields a solution customized to each client’s specific situations and prerequisites. We also consistently counsel clients on the tax and other repercussions of unconventional transaction structures, cross-border and multi-jurisdictional investment transactions, and can ensure Sharia – compliance where this is a requirement.
BLFCA real estate legal expertise covers:
- Conveyance – the acquisition and disposal of all variety of property, meeting any due diligence requirements. including complete due diligence practice.
- Leasing arrangements (short and long term for residential, commercial and retail) and all aspects of legal landlord and tenant relationship.
- Real Estate Management.
- Advising on Real Estate Financing.
- Real Estate dispute resolution encompassing Litigation and Arbitration.
- Project launch together with the licensing and registration of developers, projects and property and advising on the rules (and providing assistance) in opening escrow accounts.
- Advising on the formation of mixed-use developments with jointly owned property.
- Drafting all real estate related documents such as sale and purchase agreements, sub-divisions, leases, joint venture agreements and evasion and other legal notices.
- Advice on the development potential and pitfalls of the property being acquired.
- Planning legislation and procedures.
- Limited partnerships, offshore trusts and other tax-efficient vehicles.
Land Use, Planning and Zoning
BLFCA has a zenith performance in zoning; planning and land use with stress on large projects and maintains the adequate breadth and depth of experience to address the multitude of concerns that might encounter our clients that allow them to categorize and synchronize each project in a mode best-suited to meet the clients distinctive requirements within the framework of a particular development project. Our lawyers are familiar with the particulars of urban land use legislation.
BLFCA recognizes that efficient legal representation in terms of land use clients entails mutual methodical comprehension of the following dynamics: applicable laws, legislative repercussions, and political constraints. We are conversant in handling on behalf of our client’s tactical consultations on obtaining zoning, site plan, subdivision and other required development approvals, negotiating and obtaining approval of complex developments, advising clients on sustainability, and handling various other land use, planning, and zoning-related matters. As part of this process we of course negotiate, draft, and obtain and maintain approval documentation for our clients and perform regulatory due diligence and entitlement examination.
BLFCA, lawyers have acquired special expertise in the hotel and leisure industry and can advise clients on hotel management contracts and licensing catering, and concession agreements. We have considerable practice in obtaining permission and zoning endorsements for new hotels and expansions of existing hotel and leisure ventures.
BLFCA, lawyers, regularly represent clients in disputes over the applicability of exclusivity articles and other restraining covenants.