M&A Advisory in Saudi Arabia

M&A Advisory in Saudi Arabia

The firm covers Saudi matters in cooperation with an announced partner office in Saudi Arabia. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold a Saudi law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter in the Kingdom.

We advise buyers, sellers and investors on acquisitions of Saudi companies and businesses, including share and asset purchases, joint ventures and minority investments, with the transaction work coordinated with our partner office in the Kingdom. The work is advisory: structure, due diligence, transaction documents and the order of approvals.

The Saudi legal framework for deals

Saudi companies are governed by the Companies Law issued by Royal Decree No. M/132 of 2022, in force since January 2023, and foreign investors register with the Ministry of Investment (MISA). Economic concentration, meaning a merger, acquisition or joint venture that changes control, is regulated under the Competition Law (Royal Decree No. M/75 of 1440H) and its implementing regulations, and qualifying transactions are notified to the General Authority for Competition (GAC). Where the target is listed, Capital Market Authority rules apply as well.

What we check on a Saudi deal

We start by testing whether the transaction must be notified to GAC and how it affects the buyer's MISA registration or licence position. Next come the target's constitutional documents and the transfer mechanics for its form, since the limited liability, joint-stock and simplified joint-stock companies under the Companies Law do not transfer in the same way. Sector licences and change-of-control clauses in key contracts are mapped before signing. For the wider corporate practice, see General Commercial & Corporate; to scope a transaction, contact our team.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, 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

Does a Saudi acquisition need competition notification?

Economic concentration transactions that meet the thresholds in the Competition Law (Royal Decree No. M/75 of 1440H) and its regulations must be notified to the General Authority for Competition. Thresholds are checked on the parties' figures.

Which law governs Saudi companies in an acquisition?

The Companies Law issued by Royal Decree No. M/132 of 2022, in force since January 2023. Foreign investors also deal with MISA, and listed targets with the Capital Market Authority.

Who handles Saudi M&A at the firm?

Saudi matters are handled in cooperation with the firm's announced partner office in the Kingdom. The firm does not itself hold a Saudi law practice license, and local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter.

Other markets

Company Formation in Saudi Arabia · M&A Advisory in Egypt · M&A Advisory in the UAE · M&A Advisory in Qatar · M&A Advisory in Oman · M&A Advisory in Bahrain