Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce Hardeep Plahe is joining its Dubai office as a partner.  Plahe, having practiced with Linklaters in Dubai, will continue his corporate practice in the Middle East, advising on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and financial regulation issues.

The global law firm Jones Day has announced that it has continued the expansion of its Dubai Office with the hire of leading regional real estate and project development lawyer Duane Keighran.

Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm, in conjunction with the Dubai office of Clifford Chance LLP, have advised the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (“GACA”) in relation to the issuance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of a SAR15 billion (approximately US$4 billion) sukuk due 2022 (the “Sukuk”).

International legal practice Norton Rose Group has advised Sinopec Kantons Holdings Limited on the acquisition of a majority stake in Fujairah Oil Terminal FZC (FOT).

Bennett Jones is pleased to announce that Osama Hassan has joined the firm in the Middle East as a partner in our Dubai office.

Olswang has advised dnata World Travel, sister company to dnata, on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Travel Technology Investments Limited from management shareholders led by Kane Pirie, Chris Waite and Paul Furner (“Founders”).

International law firm Clyde & Co LLP has advised Gulf Healthcare International LLC (Gulf Healthcare), a major healthcare provider in the Middle East, and its owners on the re-structuring of Gulf Healthcare and on its ambitious expansion program in the UAE.

A recognized leader in project and Islamic finance, Christopher Aylward, joined Baker Botts L.L.P. today as a partner in the firm’s Middle East practice. He will be based in Dubai.

Vinson & Elkins LLP and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP are acting as joint counsel to the Ministry of Oil of the Republic of Iraq in connection with the Basrah Gas Company project, a joint venture between South Gas Company (an Oil Ministry affiliate) and affiliates of Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Mitsubishi Corporation. The transaction agreements were signed on November 27, 2011.

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil (MoO) formally has signed a joint venture agreement with Shell, the South Gas Company (SGC), an affiliate of MoO, and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) on an initiative to capture flared gas in Iraq.