Syed Ali Bin Maaz is recognised as a leading lawyer in the Pakistan aviation sector having in-depth experience and knowledge in the practice area. Ali has extensive experience working on corporate and commercial matters, with a strong focus on aviation finance, mergers and acquisitions, project finance, and financial market transactions. In addition to his experience in the corporate field, Ali also advises in commercial dispute resolution matters and appears before the courts in Pakistan.
Ali has in the past and continues to advise clients in many landmark hydel, wind, coal and fuel based power projects and has also assisted the government entities in developing legislation relating to the power sector. Having unrivalled experience in aviation finance, corporate and regulatory matters, along with extensive insight of the energy and aviation market and his relationship with the prominent stakeholders, Ali ensures that the client’s objectives are achieved in a strategic, efficient and commercially viable manner.
Ali acts for major clients most notably in the energy and natural resources and financial sectors. He provides specialist advice in relation to aircraft leasing and aviation financing and has consistently advised all major foreign aircraft owners, lessors and creditors leasing or selling aircraft or aircraft engines in the Pakistani aviation market. He also routinely advises power sector entities in negotiations of project documents, including fuel supply agreements and power purchase contracts. Ali has consistently been involved with power projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Due to his exceptional diligence and industry, Ali is recognised as ‘Highly Regarded’ in Banking and M&A by IFLR; is a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ by Legal 500; is recognized in top tiers in Corporate Commercial, Projects, Infrastructure and Energy in AsiaLaw and Chambers & Partners. Ali has been an integral part for the firm’s recognition and award as the winner of the ‘National Law Firm of the Year’ by IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards in 2022 and as the winner of ‘Pakistan Firm of the Year’ by AsiaLaw Awards in 2020 and 2022.
Education
LL.B. (Hons), University of London (External Programme), Pakistan
Bar Vocational Course, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
Called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn), United Kingdom
M.A. International Relations, University of Karachi, Pakistan
Diploma in Islamic Economics and Finance, Centre for Islamic Economics, Pakistan
Admission
Advocate, High Court of Sindh
Member, the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
Publications/Contributions
The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Aviation Law 2020, Pakistan Chapter
Guide on World Drone Regulations published by L2b Aviation, Pakistan Chapter
Chambers Energy: Oil and Gas 2022 Global Practice Guide
Various articles on Lexology platform
