LAWYER PROFILE
Michael Savva

Michael Savva

Global 2026

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Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 2 practice areas

About

Provided by Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP

Global

Practice Areas

Michael is a structured finance (conventional and Islamic) lawyer specialising in numerous sectors including sport, projects/infrastructure and transportation.

Career

Michael acts as trusted adviser to clients in the sports, renewable energy and power, transportation, and luxury asset (including art) sectors.

He advises banks, private credit funds, developers, lessors, owners and operators on domestic and cross-border structured finance, debt and equity finance, leasing and capital markets transactions, both conventional and Islamic, as well as restructurings and workouts.

He has worked in sports finance for over 15 years, often introducing the sector and its financing structures to clients and firms, and advising on loan and receivables financings, infrastructure financings, secondary debt trades, and regulatory advice.

In renewable energy and project-related financings, he specialises in structured portfolio financings within the distributed solar and C&I segments across the GCC, with strong relationships with developers and funders, and transactions spanning the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Michael is considered an Islamic finance specialist, advising on transactions including Murabaha, Ijara and Sukuk structures across trade finance, leasing, project/PPP and capital markets transactions, including financings with both conventional and Islamic tranches. Islamic structuring also forms a key part of his practice and advisory services to clients.

In transportation, he advises shipping companies, airlines, financiers and lessors on non-contentious commercial matters, sales, novations, financing and leasing structures and restructurings.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Transportation: Shipping: Finance & Non-Contentious - United Arab Emirates

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial

Michael Savva is a well-known name who has a growing reputation in asset finance matters. He is a frequent adviser to lenders on shipping mandates, with experience of acting for many of the region's leading banks. He recently joined Stephenson Harwood after leaving Watson Farley & Williams.

Banking & Finance - United Arab Emirates

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

Michael Savva regularly advises high-profile international and regional clients on conventional and Islamic financings, including acquisition financing matters. He recently joined Stephenson Harwood after leaving Watson Farley & Williams.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Michael Savva is a subject matter expert.

    Transportation: Shipping: Finance & Non-ContentiousChambers Global Guide
  • Michael Savva has extensive knowledge of shipping, banking and finance. He is very approachable, calm and composed.

    Transportation: Shipping: Finance & Non-ContentiousChambers Global Guide
  • Michael Savva has extensive subject matter knowledge and is very approachable, calm and composed.

    Banking & FinanceChambers Global Guide
  • Michael is highly responsive and consistently available, often resolving issues proactively without us needing to ask. He demonstrates strong expertise in resolving complex legal matters efficiently.

    Banking & FinanceChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP (74)

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