Islamic law calls for prudent lending, the sharing of risk, and a prohibition on the earning of interest.

Led by Sharon Needle, our Islamic Finance practice has expert knowledge and practical experience of corporate finance, banking, and financial services, structured finance and project finance. We  also draw on the expertise of our network of tried and trusted pensions, insurance and tax and trusts professionals, to ensure that business transactions are carried out consistently with Shariah principles.

Presently the legal advisor to Al Qalam, the UK Shariah board established to advise UK banks and financial institutions on Islamic compliance, Sharon Needle has nearly 20 years unparalleled experience advising Islamic and conventional financial institutions, venture capital funds, fund sponsors and investment companies. Sharon’s particular expertise is in providing creative, commercial, and effective solutions to issues that arise in Shariah-compliant financing and investment transactions. Sharon studied Shariah law at universities in both Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

As one of the few UK practices outside of the City of London with a genuine capability in this increasingly important specialism, we deploy our technical and commercial knowledge to advise both on wholly Islamic transactions and on structures whereby Islamic investors are introduced into otherwise conventional finance transactions.