Legal Counsel – Islamic Finance

About the role

The Legal Counsel will provide specialised Islamic banking legal support, drafting and reviewing standard documentation and advising business teams on day‑to‑day queries.

Key responsibilities

• Draft and review Islamic banking documents such as Murabaha, commodity Murabaha, Ijarah, Wakala and related facility and security agreements.
• Provide routine legal support for Islamic queries, escalating complex or high‑risk matters to the Senior Legal Counsel.
• Monitor Shariah, regulatory and AAOIFI developments and assess their impact on documentation.
• Maintain and enhance the bank’s Islamic legal precedent bank, template library and clause repository.
• Conduct legal research on Islamic finance structures and produce memoranda, product notes and briefing materials.

Required profile

• 8–10 years post‑qualification experience in banking and finance law, with exposure to Islamic banking products.
• Law degree from a recognised university and admission to practice in a relevant jurisdiction.
• Certification in Islamic finance (e.g., CIFE, AAOIFI CSAA) is an advantage.

Required skills

• Knowledge of core Islamic finance structures (Murabaha, Tawarruq, Ijarah, Wakala, Mudaraba, Musharaka, Sukuk).
• Familiarity with AAOIFI Shariah standards and their documentation impact.
• Strong legal drafting and research abilities.
• Experience with legal workflow and matter management systems, including Legal‑AI tools.
• Ability to work remotely and collaborate across UAE, Bahrain and other jurisdictions.