DLA Piper’s Islamic Finance Team has won the International Islamic Finance Forum’s (IIFF) Global Recognition in Islamic Finance for a Law Firm Award for 2008. The IIFF Awards promote excellence in Islamic finance and recognize the significant contribution made to important developments in the Islamic financial sector.
 

The awards were a part of the International Islamic Finance Forum, held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, from April 13-17 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Over the course of the forum, expert panelists debated and discussed issues ranging from the latest developments in Islamic finance including in sukuk, Islamic banking models - including murabaha, modaraba and takaful among others. The Global Recognition in Islamic Finance award was presented by Rushdi Siddiqui, Global Director, Dow Jones Islamic Market Index Group.
 

The award was presented to Oliver Agha, who is DLA Piper’s Global Head of Islamic Finance.  Oliver is regarded as one of the top Islamic finance lawyers globally and a leading project finance lawyer by leading publications. Of the award, Oliver commented:
 

"We are pleased to have received this award that recognizes DLA Piper’s global Islamic finance practice.  The credit for this award belongs to our whole team.  I am most appreciative of the collective effort from each and every one of the DLA Piper Islamic Finance team that has resulted in this award."
 

The distinguished recognition at the awards ceremony was based on the global reach and practice of DLA Piper’s Islamic Finance team, depth of Shariah knowledge, work on the development of novel yet commercially viable Islamic finance constructs and commitment and contribution to the practice and development of Islamic jurisprudence.  
 

"Islamic finance is of growing importance around the world and DLA Piper is proud to be at the forefront of developing innovative and commercial solutions for our clients. This award really reflects the status of our Islamic Finance Team in the global arena and we are justly proud of their achievement," said Nigel Knowles, Joint CEO of DLA Piper.
 

"Islamic finance is of growing importance around the world and we are excited to be playing our part in this rapidly developing and sophisticated industry," said David Church, Regional Managing Partner in Middle East, DLA Piper.