Pinsent Masons is set to launch an Islamic finance practice with the return of Al-Harith Sinclair from DLA Piper.

Sinclair (pictured), a specialist in Islamic project finance structures, will join Pinsents' City office as a partner on 1 May to establish and head up the firm's Islamic finance practice.

In the new practice, Sinclair will focus on Islamic finance including Islamic treasury products, financial regulation and insurance work for new clients in London and the Gulf region, as well as targeting some of the Islamic banks established in the City. He will work closely with the firm's international projects and infrastructure team to develop opportunities in Dubai and the Gulf and EMEA region.

Sinclair was a partner at Pinsents five years ago before leaving to join DLA Piper as head of the firm's Islamic finance practice in Dubai. He returned to DLA Piper's London office in November.

Pinsent Masons banking and insurance head Stephen Miles said: "We are looking forward to welcoming Al-Harith to the team. His appointment reinforces Pinsent Masons' continued commitment to growing the banking and finance team."