Stock market

Clifford Chance has won a mandate advising the government on its second issue of an Islamic bond.

The win sees the Magic Circle firm return to the advisory role after it won the mandate for the government's first Sukuk issue in 2014, as part of which the U.K. became the first country outside of the Islamic world to issue the sovereign Islamic bond.

According to documents released by the Treasury, the Magic Circle firm won the role following "an open and competitive process".

The firm is fielding a team led by Dubai-based global Islamic finance head Qudeer Latif, according to one person with knowledge of the situation.

Under Islamic finance, Sukuk are financial certificates – like bonds – that provide owners with a return.

For the first issue in 2014, CC advised the banks, including HSBC, while Linklaters led for the government.

Earlier this month, Linklaters and Allen & Overy were drafted in to advise on a bond offering by The People's Republic of China, which sold three bonds worth a total of €4 billion.

In September, A&O and U.K. fintech startup Nivaura advised Santander bank on its issuance of its 'end-to-end' blockchain bond, in a first for the industry.

Back in April, White & Case, Latham & Watkins and A&O took roles on Saudi Aramco's debit $12 billion international bond offering, ahead of its planned initial public offering.