Fara is a specialist adviser to international companies and individuals on their inward investments into the UK, Europe and MEA. She works with businesses, funds and private clients on the financing of their investments and often acts as external general counsel for all legal aspects related to the investment.
She is an expert in financing and banking transactions covering a range of asset types, investment classes and industry sectors. She advises on a range of financial products and has developed them for many financial institutions in Asia, the Middle East and the UK. Fara is also well experienced in fintech related matters and has assisted with the establishment of institutions in a number of jurisdictions. She specialises in Shariah-compliant matters.
Fara has been recognised as one of the most influential women in the Islamic Business and Finance global industry. She was not only recognised for her professional expertise but also her contribution to the wider industry and the place that women have within it. She speaks regularly at international events and is a regular contributor to journals and magazines.
Expertise
- Investments
- Islamic banking and finance
- Leveraged finance
- Real estate finance
- Financial products
- Investment funds
- Debt capital markets
- Fintech
Experience
- Advised a UK carbon credit fund on its Shariahcompliant Islamic mediumterm notes of up to £1,000,000,000.
- Advised a UK social housing fund on its Shariahcompliant Islamic notes of up to £500m.
- Advised a Luxembourg ethicalfocussed fund on its Shariahcompliant Islamic notes.
- Advised on the issuance of bonds for an Asian company of up to USD500m.
- Advised a Qatari entity on the termination of its Islamic bonds (sukuk) worth USD270million.
- Advised a Saudi real estate company on the issuance of Islamic bonds (sukuk).
- Advised several real estate funds in London on their Shariahcompliant term notes.
- Advised a London currency fund and global currency fund on its Shariahcompliant term notes.
- Advised a German technology VC fund and life science VC fund on their Shariahcompliant term notes.
- Advised a Mauritius fund on its Shariahcompliant term notes.
- Advised a Portuguese fund on the establishment of a Shariahcompliant fund.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by Chambers UK 2025 for Banking & Finance: Islamic Finance
“Fara provides in-depth expertise on Islamic finance transactions.”-Chambers UK 2025
Acknowledged by Chambers 2025 for bringing a wealth of experience when advising on Islamic finance transactions. She is regarded for her expertise in Sharia-compliant products across jurisdictions, including in South-East Asia and the Middle East.
Recognised as a Leading Partner in The Legal 500 2025 for Islamic Finance
“Fara Mohammad provides practical, pragmatic and solutions-oriented advice.” The Legal 500 2025
Recognised by the Legal 500 2025 for Bank Lending; Investment Grade Debt and Syndicated loans
“Fara Mohamed has knowledge of the Islamic financing space.” The Legal 500 2025
Cambridge IFA (Womani 2023, 2022, 2021, ranked 36) as an influential woman in global Islamic business & finance
Recognised by Chambers UK 2024 for Banking & Finance: Islamic Finance
Recognised in The Legal 500 for Islamic Finance (2023-2024)
“Fara Mohammad was very approachable. She was able to understand our requirement and suggest alternative solutions to meet our requirement.” The Legal 500 2024
Top recommended Corporate lawyer by Spear’s 2024
Recognised by Chambers UK 2023 for Banking & Finance: Islamic Finance
“Fara is excellent at handling matters related to Islamic financing.” Chambers UK 2023
“She is very responsive and provides excellent turnaround times in terms of deliverables.” Chambers UK 2023
“Fara Mohammad has in depth understanding of the different Sharia structures.” The Legal 500 2023
Recognised in Chambers UK 2022 for Islamic Finance
“Fara has been exceptional. She is extremely knowledgeable and responsive.” Chambers UK 2022
Ranked by Cambridge IFA as one of the influential women in global Islamic business and finance (Womani 2021, ranked #36) Also ranked in years 2018, 2019, 2020.
Legal 500 (2015, 2016)
Leading lawyer in Islamic Finance (IFN, 2010)
Career
Fara qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales in 2008 and also qualified in Malaysia in 1999. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2020, she worked at the following firms:
- Clyde & Co, London and Dubai
- Foot Anstey, London
- Norton Rose Fullbright, London
- Zaid Ibrahim & Co, Malaysia
- Shearn Delamore & Co, Malaysia