Nijoe Joseph

A banking and finance expert in the Dubai office with a particular focus on asset and structured finance, Nijoe is well known for using his broad experience of complex, cross-border transactions and developing innovative structures specialising in the maritime and aviation sectors. Clients value his highly commercial and pragmatic approach.

Nijoe’s experience in the Middle East consists of portfolio (maritime and aviation) acquisitions and disposals, complex loan (bilateral and syndicated) financings, Islamic financings, operating and financing leasing transactions. He advises all major national and international lenders, investors, lessors and operators around the world on financing structures involving the maritime and aviation industries.

He has worked on path breaking aviation matters involving reputed names from the domestic and international aviation industries. He is reputed in the market for his work involving complex multi-jurisdictional security structures for aircraft components and spare parts – leasing and financing.

Nijoe’s client base also consists of reputed UAE family houses, businesses, government al departments and high net worth individuals whom he also advises on all aspects of UAE corporate and commercial law. This includes but is not limited to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and on project finance matters.

Prior to joining Stephenson Harwood, Nijoe was the legal advisor to the maritime department of Department of Transport for the Government of Abu Dhabi. He is also a frequent guest lecturer to the Hamburg School of Business Maritime, teaching students business related issues regarding Islamic finance and the shipping industry.

Ship and offshore finance

Petrochemical trading company

Advised a large petrochemical trading company in the UAE in acquisition of their shipping fleet of tankers with transactions worth over US$50 million.

Large UAE Bank

Advised a large UAE Bank on a complex vessel lease finance transaction worth US$265 million for a super specialised derrick lay vessel.

Leading offshore services company

Advised a leading offshore services company in structuring senior and mezzanine finance for acquisition of a fleet of offshore supply vessels.

 

Banking and financial services regulations    

Basel III obligations

Advised one of the largest international Chinese banks on their Basel III obligations under the UAE Central Bank.

DFSA regulatory advice

Advised large Chinese bank based out of the Dubai International Financial Centre on their compliance with the Dubai Financial Services Authority’s (DFSA) regulations.

International Islamic finance

Advised DIFC based bank on their participation in an international Islamic finance transaction and their compliance under DFSA regulations.

Corporate

Leading educational group – M&A deal

Advised a leading school operator in their acquisition of an American curriculum school in the UAE of a deal amounting to UAE Dirhams 55 million.

UAE business establishment

Advised one of the world’s leading lubricants manufacturer on their establishment in the UAE and structuring their man power related issues.

UAE professional services company acquisition

Advised the largest facilities management organisation in their acquisition of UAE based professional services company in a transaction worth UAE Dirhams 12 million.

Aviation finance

Aircraft fleet acquisition

Advised a leading private aircraft owner and operator in the acquisition of their fleet of 22 fixed wing and rotary aircrafts.

Complex hybrid aircraft financing

Advised a large UAE bank on complex hybrid financing involving aircraft engines and components in a multi-jurisdictional transaction amounting to over US$200 million.

Large aircraft components financing

Advised UAE bank on aircraft components financing for large international aircraft components financier in transactions valued at over US$100 million.