Comprehensive legal support throughout the data centre lifecycle.
At every stage of a data centre project, from initial concept through to ongoing operations, our legal experts provide tailored guidance to ensure your development and operations run smoothly and compliantly. We understand that data centres are complex, capital-intensive projects requiring meticulous attention to regulatory, contractual and commercial matters. Our expertise spans the entire lifecycle, offering peace of mind so you can focus on delivering critical infrastructure.
How we help our clients
We have a team dedicated to advising borrowers on debt facilities for real estate projects and regularly work on complicated structures cross border with lead banks for larger projects.
During construction, our lawyers manage contractual relationships and dispute resolution, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets. We help structure agreements that clearly define performance obligations and remedies for non-compliance. As the data centre moves toward commissioning, we support you in navigating compliance with industry standards, security protocols and operational certifications.
Our corporate team support clients from setting up in new jurisdictions globally to advising on equity investments, restructuring and potential acquisitions or sales of businesses related to real estate. The team have sold different businesses that have a strong real estate focus such as hotels, shopping malls, data centres, healthcare and schools. If the business has a large real estate portfolio we are capable of combining corporate and real estate support.
Data centre projects often evolve through expansion or technology upgrades. We support clients in structuring these initiatives, managing financing arrangements and updating regulatory filings. When it comes time to decommission or repurpose a facility, we provide strategic advice to navigate real estate remediation, asset disposition and contract wind-downs.
Once operational, data centres require ongoing legal oversight to address regulatory compliance, cybersecurity and data protection obligations. We assist in negotiating and drafting service agreements with maintenance providers, power suppliers and telecommunications companies.
In the early planning and development phase, we assist clients with site acquisition, zoning and land use approvals, and compliance alongside licencing and regulatory approvals. We guide you through negotiations with local authorities and utilities to secure the necessary consents, helping to avoid costly delays. Our team drafts and negotiates key framework agreements, development contracts and operator agreements.
How we support data centre operators/ developers
How we support hyperscalers
We provide tailored legal and consultancy support to hyperscalers operating across the Middle East, enabling the rollout and expansion of high-volume data infrastructure with clarity and confidence. Our multidisciplinary team advises on strategic land acquisition, data centre structuring, joint ventures, regulatory licensing, cloud services contracting, project financing and construction delivery.
Whether entering new markets or scaling operations, we help hyperscalers navigate complex legal frameworks, safeguard commercial interests and accelerate deployment through agile, solution-focused counsel.
Our extensive experience includes:
- Advising a major joint venture data centre developer on two data centres in Dammam, Saudi Arabia involving customised design for hyperscalers which was a first in the region for the hyperscaler client. These data centres were custom built for a multinational technology corporation known for anything from artificial intelligence to digital communications. The FIDIC Conditions of Contract for the Plant and Design Build (the “Yellow Book”) was used, which we amended to suit the developer’s unique requirements.
- We advised a data centre developer on two data centres in Qatar and two data centres in KSA customised design for hyperscalers which was a first in the region for the hyperscaler client.
- We advised on two data centres in Doha, Qatar, negotiating the main contracts based on the Yellow Book, with both MEP and civil contractors engaged on the project. The combined value of the developments was USD300m and included procuring all ancillary warranties, guarantees and bonds with complex negotiations and contractual interfaces, as between the Development Agreement and Finance Agreement obligations, required with the funder to obtain financial drawdown.
- Advising on development of data centre with solar power in KSA and UAE dealing with solar supplier and PPA for purchaser.
- Advising a data centre developer on a share sale to US infrastructure fund for global data centre development.
- Advising a data centre developer on the acquisition and bidding for a global data centre company.