Archives: Expertises

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Islamic Law Finance

Today not just Muslims but anyone can benefit from a wide range of Sharia compliant product…

Islamic Law Finance

GSC’s Islamic finance department can advise on a wide range of Sharia compliant products, including:

  • Murabaha contracts (cost-plus financing)
  • Musharaka (partnership agreements)
  • Ijara (leasing arrangements)
  • Wakala (agency contracts)
  • Tawarruq (cash flow financing)
  • Salam (advance payment sale)
  • Sukuk (Sharia compliant bond)
  • Takaful (insurance contract).

Our dedicated team can advise individuals, companies, banks and sponsors on all aspects of Islamic compliant financing.

Islamic finance products are available to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. In fact, many Islamic finance institutions report having more non-Muslim customers than Muslims. The increased popularity in Islamic finance institutions can be attributed to the following benefits of Islamic finance:

  • Ethical banking – Islamic finance institutions cannot invest in harmful products or practices such as charging interest, gambling or the consumption of alcohol or tobacco.
  • Encouraging financial justice – Islamic finance institutions share the risks and the rewards with their customers through profit and loss sharing which contributes to a more equitable distribution of income and wealth.
  • Transparency – Islamic financial institutions are required to operate in a fair and transparent manner, which involves informing customers of the risks and costs associated with the products and services offered.
  • Discouraging speculation – Islam prohibits speculation in transactions as this can lead to instability and misallocation of capital. Instead, Islamic finance institutions must focus on deployment of capital to the real economy, to help promote socio-economic justice.

If you would like to discuss Islamic finance products and the options available, please contact us. We look forward to helping you with your Islamic finance needs.

Islamic Law Finance

Today not just Muslims but anyone can benefit from a wide range of Sharia compliant product…

Islamic Law Finance

GSC’s Islamic finance department can advise on a wide range of Sharia compliant products, including:

  • Murabaha contracts (cost-plus financing)
  • Musharaka (partnership agreements)
  • Ijara (leasing arrangements)
  • Wakala (agency contracts)
  • Tawarruq (cash flow financing)
  • Salam (advance payment sale)
  • Sukuk (Sharia compliant bond)
  • Takaful (insurance contract).

Our dedicated team can advise individuals, companies, banks and sponsors on all aspects of Islamic compliant financing.

Islamic finance products are available to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. In fact, many Islamic finance institutions report having more non-Muslim customers than Muslims. The increased popularity in Islamic finance institutions can be attributed to the following benefits of Islamic finance:

  • Ethical banking – Islamic finance institutions cannot invest in harmful products or practices such as charging interest, gambling or the consumption of alcohol or tobacco.
  • Encouraging financial justice – Islamic finance institutions share the risks and the rewards with their customers through profit and loss sharing which contributes to a more equitable distribution of income and wealth.
  • Transparency – Islamic financial institutions are required to operate in a fair and transparent manner, which involves informing customers of the risks and costs associated with the products and services offered.
  • Discouraging speculation – Islam prohibits speculation in transactions as this can lead to instability and misallocation of capital. Instead, Islamic finance institutions must focus on deployment of capital to the real economy, to help promote socio-economic justice.

If you would like to discuss Islamic finance products and the options available, please contact us. We look forward to helping you with your Islamic finance needs.

Islamic Law Finance

Today not just Muslims but anyone can benefit from a wide range of Sharia compliant product…

Islamic Law Finance

GSC’s Islamic finance department can advise on a wide range of Sharia compliant products, including:

  • Murabaha contracts (cost-plus financing)
  • Musharaka (partnership agreements)
  • Ijara (leasing arrangements)
  • Wakala (agency contracts)
  • Tawarruq (cash flow financing)
  • Salam (advance payment sale)
  • Sukuk (Sharia compliant bond)
  • Takaful (insurance contract).

Our dedicated team can advise individuals, companies, banks and sponsors on all aspects of Islamic compliant financing.

Islamic finance products are available to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. In fact, many Islamic finance institutions report having more non-Muslim customers than Muslims. The increased popularity in Islamic finance institutions can be attributed to the following benefits of Islamic finance:

  • Ethical banking – Islamic finance institutions cannot invest in harmful products or practices such as charging interest, gambling or the consumption of alcohol or tobacco.
  • Encouraging financial justice – Islamic finance institutions share the risks and the rewards with their customers through profit and loss sharing which contributes to a more equitable distribution of income and wealth.
  • Transparency – Islamic financial institutions are required to operate in a fair and transparent manner, which involves informing customers of the risks and costs associated with the products and services offered.
  • Discouraging speculation – Islam prohibits speculation in transactions as this can lead to instability and misallocation of capital. Instead, Islamic finance institutions must focus on deployment of capital to the real economy, to help promote socio-economic justice.

If you would like to discuss Islamic finance products and the options available, please contact us. We look forward to helping you with your Islamic finance needs.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Commercial disputes can have far reaching consequences. They can affect existing…

Litigation & Dispute Resolution Solicitors

Litigation Law Firm in Holborn

Commercial disputes are an unavoidable part of business and personal life.
When they become part of yours, trust GSC to make life easier.

Commercial disputes can have far-reaching consequences. They can affect existing business and people’s lives, damage relationships and jeopardise future success. That is why GSC takes a realistic and practical view when handling disputes. From start to finish we aim to adopt a commercial and cost-effective approach, designed to achieve an outcome that works for our clients and their business.

We advise on many forms of disputes. Our team have decades of experience in dispute resolution – in the Courts, at specialist tribunals or using arbitration and when appropriate mediation – because of this not many things phase us. When we say we are “hands-on”, we mean it. We work in small focused teams, dedicated to our clients and driven to protect and care for their interests. We always have an eye on cost management. Our service is designed especially for each of our clients and, unlike many of our rivals, not simply processed. We advise on many forms of disputes. Our team have decades of experience in dispute resolution – in the Courts, at specialist tribunals or using arbitration and when appropriate mediation – because of this not many things phase us.

Talk to our litigation solicitors about disputes (both international and domestic) involving the following:

• Jurisdictional disputes including anti-suit injunctions and conflict of laws
• Emergency injunctions (freezing and search and seizure orders)
• Commercial contracts
• Company/shareholders and partnerships
• Fraud
• Commercial and residential property disputes
• Contentious probate
• Debt recovery
• Costs Disputes including security for costs applications

This list is by no means exhaustive. Over the years we have handled many types of cases and we are not shy; if we think you would better served by more specialist advice or would be better served by retaining lawyers in other countries, we can make the introduction from our many contacts built up over many years.

Real Estate

GSC’s success was built on its property practice. Today, the heart of our business…

Real Estate Solicitors

Specialists in Commercial Property Law

GSC’s success was built on its property practice.  Today, the heart of our business is a trusted source of legal expertise for commercial and residential real estate transactions.

We are a property law firm that takes a modern and commercial approach but retains traditional values.  One of the main things that our clients appreciate is the fact that there is always some level of involvement by a partner of the firm in every matter we deal with.  We ensure that work is dealt with in a cost-effective way for our clients by fee earners at the most appropriate level but always making sure that of paramountcy is the quality and efficiency of the service we deliver.  Your matter will always be dealt with by a fee earner with appropriate seniority to ensure you receive the service you deserve.  Nothing less.

Our clients range from leading property owners and institutional and private investors to developers and builders, banks and financial institutions, hoteliers, private landlords, entrepreneurs, franchisees, blue chip tenants with complex occupational leases, leisure and healthcare property owners, start-up businesses, established business occupiers and high net-worth individuals, UK-based or off-shore.

Each of them values our significant market reputation and experience in dealing with all types of real estate transaction.

We provide advice on property matters at all levels and have acted on some of the most high profile and cutting edge landlord and tenant cases of the last 10 years including the ground-breaking decision of Daejan Investments Limited v Benson and others and, possibly the most important landlord and tenant case in front of the courts in recent years, EMI Group Ltd v O & H Q1 Ltd.

Our clients ensure we are the first port of call when it comes to property advice.  Make us yours. Talk to GSC’s Real Estate Solicitors about:

Specialists in Residential Property Law

GSC’s residential property lawyers deal with high-value conveyancing throughout England and Wales, including Crown property and other historical estates.  We understand the complex issues that can arise when dealing with such properties and we know that your best interests are only best served when your conveyancing is managed in a way that fits seamlessly with your tax, family and private wealth management.

That is why residential conveyancing with GSC is never carried out in isolation.  Talk to us and you will find your property lawyers working alongside our Private Client team to ensure all your interests are carefully considered and protected.

Our property lawyers can assist in all aspects of residential property including the disposal or acquisition of freeholds and leaseholds, lease extensions, enfranchisement and rights of first refusal.

See our Residential Conveyancing Services Fees

Contact us – we are here to help you.

Residential Property

Residential Property

GSC’s residential property lawyers deal with high value conveyancing throughout England and Wales, including Crown property and other historical estates.  We understand the complex issues that can arise when dealing with such properties and we know that your best interests are only best served when your conveyancing is managed in a way that fits seamlessly with your tax, family and private wealth management.

That is why residential conveyancing with GSC is never carried out in isolation.  Talk to us and you will find your property lawyers working alongside our Private Client team to ensure all your interests are carefully considered and protected.

Our property lawyers can assist in all aspects of residential property including the disposal or acquisition of freeholds and leaseholds, lease extensions, enfranchisement and rights of first refusal.

Contact us – we are here to help you.

Real Estate Finance & Banking

Real Estate Finance & Banking

The GSC team manages a wide variety of real estate finance work, including bilateral and syndicated loans for the acquisition, construction, development and refurbishment of real estate assets.

GSC is particularly known for our broad mix in acting for both banks and borrowers.  Our team acts for a number of major lenders.  However, we are equally likely to represent the borrowers.  This gives us a strong understanding of the requirements of all parties, allowing us to represent both more effectively and contributing to our reputation as practical, deal-making lawyers.

That is particularly true of our work with the hotel and leisure sector, where we have helped a number of major hotel owners finance the acquisition and development of their hotels.  We also manage the property financing of a number of major fast food and coffee shop franchisees, each with a large number of outlets and are specialists in the care sector, helping owners and operators handle all aspects of real estate financing in this highly regulated industry.

For new loans for acquisition, construction, development and refurbishment, for loan restructuring, for lender representation and for advice in the tax aspects of real estate finance, talk to GSC.

Contact us – we are here to help you.

Islamic Law Finance

Our Islamic finance department will be able to advise you on a wide range of Islamic finance products including alternatives to the conventional mortgage known as a murabaha contract (fixed rate mortgage alternative) or a diminishing musharaka contract (variable rate mortgage alternative).

We can also advise on a number of other products including ijarah (leasing contract) and musharakah (joint partnership financing).

Islamic finance products are designed to comply with Islamic law and the industry has boomed since its introduction to UK markets in the 1980s. The main concept surrounding Islamic finance is the prohibition on usury (interest). However, Islamic law does not reject the notion of time value for money and financial institutions are therefore permitted a return. The return is usually achieved through risk sharing – financial institutions make a profit on a transaction as a reward for the risk they take in a customer. Alternatively, a financial institution can receive financial compensation as a result of forgoing other opportunities.

Islamic finance products are only available in relation to investments, acquisitions and transactions that adhere to Islamic principles. Therefore, dealing with anything haram (illicit) such as alcohol or gambling is strictly forbidden.

Covid-19 has impacted financial institutions worldwide, however the Islamic banking and finance institutions have managed to remain relatively unscathed. It is suggested that due to providing financing based on profit and loss-sharing, the system is less susceptible to financial crisis and distress. This was also the case in the 2008 global financial crisis.

If you wish to discuss Islamic finance products and the options available please feel to contact Leila Mustafa. We look forward to helping you with your Islamic finance needs.

Property Disputes

Property Disputes

Property disputes can have far reaching consequences.  They can damage relationships, affect health, affect existing business and jeopardise future success.  That is why GSC takes a pragmatic approach to resolving your disputes.  We help you define what successful resolution looks like, taking a commercial, cost-effective approach to achieving outcomes that work for you and, where appropriate your business.

We advise on all types of property disputes, including landlord and tenant, and have years of experience in dispute resolution – in the courts, at specialist tribunals, or by arbitration, mediation or conciliation.  Please refer to our Construction Law page in relation to disputes relating to construction projects.

We provide advice on property disputes at all levels and have acted on some of the most high profile and cutting edge landlord and tenant cases of the last 10 years including the ground-breaking decision of Daejan Investments Limited v Benson and others and, possibly the most important landlord and tenant case in front of the courts in recent years, EMI Group Ltd v O & H Q1 Ltd.

Contact us – we are here to help you.

Leases of Commercial Property

Leases of Commercial Property

We act for a wide range of landlords and tenants in relation to their leasing requirements.  Whether it is acting in relation to a multimillion-pound headquarters building or in relation to a lease to a start-up business, we have a wealth of experience in advising clients on how they can best protect themselves against exposure in the future and strive to have a healthy relationship with their landlord/tenant.

Contact us – we are here to help you.

Hotels, Leisure & Healthcare

Hotels, Leisure & Healthcare

The GSC Real Estate team has expertise in the hotel, leisure and healthcare industries.

We work in the hotels and restaurants sector assisting a number of major hotel owners in the acquisition (including financing), construction and development of hotels.  We also act for a number of major fast food and coffee shop franchise owners, particularly companies operating large numbers (often 30 to 50), in all their property work, including financing.

Another key sector we specialise in is nursing homes, working for the owners and operators of nursing homes handling all legal aspects of real estate matters relating to nursing homes in this highly regulated sector, including financing.

Contact us – we are here to help you.