Ashurst to establish funds team in Dubai

Ashurst’s funds group is setting up a base in Dubai to attack the Middle East and Asia investment funds ­market.

It is understood that funds partner Chézard Ameer has been lined up to lead the team.

Ashurst head of funds Jeremy Sheldon said: “We’re targeting our efforts on expanding in the Asian and Middle East region, which is why we’ll relocate someone to Dubai to get closer to where the action is.”

The core funds practice, excluding tax partners, has been expanding rapidly and currently consists of five partners in London and Xavier Comaills in Paris, who was hired from SJ Berwin last year.

In ;2007 ;the ;funds ­practice hired Ameer from Debevoise & Plimpton, where he was an associate.

Ameer specialises in European, Middle Eastern and North African investment funds and also advises on sharia aspects.