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Zain Akhtar
Associate

Zain Akhtar

Muscat, Oman
Languages
  • English
  • Urdu
  • Punjabi
Social media

Zain is an Associate in the energy, projects and infrastructure team at CMS Oman.

Zain has worked in the CMS UK, Dubai and Oman offices and has worked on international infrastructure and renewable energy projects in solar, water and power sectors. He has a strong understanding of the procurement processes for infrastructure projects in the Middle East, including Oman, KSA and UAE. Zain completed degrees in both a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Dip LP) before qualifying as a lawyer in the UK.

During his time as a lawyer in the UK, Zain worked in the financial services team and advised a number of key clients of the firm including: banks, fund managers and investment funds, as well as being seconded to the M&A team of a major retail and commercial bank in the UK where he was involved in a number of complex and fast-moving projects in the financial services and corporate sectors. Zain has also taught on the International Banking Law module as part of the LLM Law & Finance Masters degree programme at the University of Strathclyde; specifically the seminars on Islamic Finance.

Relevant experience

  • One of the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business on drafting and negotiating of UK fund manager and platform agreements which relate to SIPPs.
  • UK fund management companies (clients include Baillie Gifford and T. Bailey) on regulated fund launches and on amendments to their fund documentation; as well as regularly liaising with the local financial services regulators.
  • A UK investment management firm on drafting terms and conditions for customers that make investments in SIPPs through their platform.
  • A UK bank on drafting and negotiating a number of distribution agreements with a UK and overseas distributors relating to the marketing and promotion of a wide range of funds.
  • Pension scheme trustees for a top-ranked UK University on a range of fund reviews in respect of various investments in order to recommend amendments fund documentation.
  • A large UK asset management company on the expansion of its institutional service offering by including a broader range of offshore funds.
  • One of the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer on various contractual arrangements with its service providers.
  • A UK bank in respect of arranging consumer credit agreements with its customers.
  • A UK bank in connection with the review of their trade finance transactions and acting as a s.166 skilled person in connection with this review.
  • NatWest Group on the Scots law aspects of the transfer of its trust administration business.    

Memberships & Roles

  • Deputy Chair of the CMS Muslim Network.
  • Notary Public, Law Society of Scotland. 

Lectures list

  • Guest Lecturer on the International Banking Law LLM module as part of the LLM Law & Finance degree programme at the University of Strathclyde; specifically the seminars on Islamic Finance between 2017-2018.

Education

  • 2018 - Dip LP, Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, The University of Edinburgh (Distinction), Edinburgh.
  • 2017 - LLB. Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

Zain is an Associate in the energy, projects and infrastructure team at CMS Oman.

Zain has worked in the CMS UK, Dubai and Oman offices and has worked on international infrastructure and renewable energy projects in solar, water and power sectors. He has a strong understanding of the procurement processes for infrastructure projects in the Middle East, including Oman, KSA and UAE. Zain completed degrees in both a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Dip LP) before qualifying as a lawyer in the UK.

During his time as a lawyer in the UK, Zain worked in the financial services team and advised a number of key clients of the firm including: banks, fund managers and investment funds, as well as being seconded to the M&A team of a major retail and commercial bank in the UK where he was involved in a number of complex and fast-moving projects in the financial services and corporate sectors. Zain has also taught on the International Banking Law module as part of the LLM Law & Finance Masters degree programme at the University of Strathclyde; specifically the seminars on Islamic Finance.

Relevant experience

  • Saudi Power Procurement Company in relation to its procurement of Round 4 National Renewable Energy Programme, consisting of 2 Solar IPPs and 3 Wind IPPs with total capacity of 3.2GW.
  • Saudi Power Procurement Company in relation to its procurement of battery energy storage system (BESS) projects having a combined capacity of 2,000 MW/8000 MWh across Saudi Arabia on build, own and operate (BOO) model in different locations.
  • Saudi Power Procurement Company in relation to its procurement of multiple existing combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants undergoing expansion.
  • Oman Power and Water Procurement Company SAOC on designing a new Oman IPP procurement process, specifically the redesign of its existing private sector contracted electricity capacity procurement process, to introduce greater flexibility with enhanced electricity procurement outcomes for Oman.
  • Oman Power and Water Procurement Company SAOC in relation to its procurement of Ibri III Solar PV IPP with a capacity of 500 MW.
  • Petroleum Development Oman LLC in relation to its procurement of Oman’s first utility scale IPP.
  • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Ministry of Energy in Azerbaijan on the design of the competitive procurement process for renewable energy auctions.
  • Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in relation to its competitive procurement of the Hassyan IWP, its first IWP in Dubai.
  • Confidential Client, on the proposed extension and amendment of its Port Concession Agreement, and in relation to the following suite of agreements for a marine facilities project: Rights of Use Agreement, Coordination Agreement, Strategic Framework Agreement and Sub Usufruct Agreements.
  • Confidential Client, as a bidder, in relation to its proposed bid for a wastewater PPP in Qatar.

Memberships & Roles

  • Deputy Chair of the CMS Muslim Network.   
  • Law Society of Scotland. 

Lectures list

  • Guest Lecturer on the International Banking Law LLM module as part of the LLM Law & Finance degree programme at the University of Strathclyde; specifcally the seminars on Islamic Finance between 2017-2018.

Education

  • 2018 - Dip LP, Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, The University of Edinburgh (Distinction), Edinburgh.
  • 2017 - LLB. Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.
Practice Areas
Financial Services & Regulation
sectors
Energy & Climate Change Infrastructure & Projects Power Projects Energy Storage Solar Water Funds

Insights by Zain

See all Insights
International
Law-Now · 21 Jul 2025
Oman enacts New Financial Law under Royal Decree 37/2025
1 min read
International
Law-Now · 13 Mar 2025
The New Oman Banking Law – Key Provisions
1 min read
International
Law-Now · 31 Dec 2024
The new Oman ship and port security regulation – key takeaways
1 min read
International
Law-Now · 20 Nov 2024
The New Oman Bank Deposit Protection Law – Key Provisions
1 min read
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