Corporate & Commercial Law in Saudi Arabia

Corporate and commercial work in Saudi Arabia

The firm handles Saudi Arabia matters in cooperation with an announced partner firm in Saudi Arabia. That partner firm is not a branch of the firm, and the firm itself holds no Saudi law license; local licensing and representation are assessed per matter in the Kingdom. We advise on Saudi company law, corporate governance and commercial contracts; typical work includes shareholder arrangements, signing authority and decision and deadlock mechanics.

Legal framework in Saudi Arabia

Businesses in Saudi Arabia are governed by the new Companies Law, issued by Royal Decree No. M/132 of 2022 and in force since January 2023, covering among others the limited liability company, the joint-stock company and the simplified joint-stock company. Foreign investment requires registration with the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA). The applicable rules depend on the form, the activity and the ownership structure.

Contracts and governance

Before drafting, we clarify shareholders, signing authority and the handling of decisions and deadlocks; signed versions, notices and the course of the transaction are documented. For an existing dispute, see our dispute resolution practice or the General Commercial & Corporate overview.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has its own Cairo office. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Which law governs companies in Saudi Arabia?

The new Companies Law, issued by Royal Decree No. M/132 of 2022 and in force since January 2023, provides among others the limited liability company, the joint-stock company and the simplified joint-stock company.

What does a foreign investor need to invest in Saudi Arabia?

Foreign investment requires registration with the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA). The applicable rules depend on the legal form, the activity and the ownership structure.

Does the firm have an office in Saudi Arabia?

The firm handles Saudi Arabia matters in cooperation with an announced partner firm in the Kingdom. That partner firm is not a branch of the firm, and the firm itself holds no Saudi law license; local licensing and representation are assessed per matter.

Other markets

Company Formation in Saudi ArabiaCorporate & Commercial Law in EgyptCorporate & Commercial Law in the UAECorporate & Commercial Law in QatarCorporate & Commercial Law in OmanCorporate & Commercial Law in Bahrain