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Kathinka Wiig Honoré

Senior Associate
Dubai
About

Kathinka Wiig Honoré is an Australian qualified legal practitioner focusing on financial services regulatory matters, data protection and AML/CTF. Kathinka advises all types of financial institutions, including FinTechs, virtual assets providers, insurance companies and funds on matters ranging from market entry strategies, compliance with ongoing legal and regulatory requirements and regulatory interaction across the MENA region. Kathinka's practice includes undertaking regulatory feasibility studies, designing and implementing compliance frameworks, drafting product terms and specifications, advising on capital markets compliance, undertaking regulatory investigations as well as managing regulatory interaction.

Kathinka also advises local and international regulatory authorities on developing regulatory frameworks including drafting of regulatory standards.


Areas of FocusFinancial ServicesFintechInvestment Funds
Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
Education
  • Sydney University, Law Extension Committee, Australia law conversion course, 2020
  • University of Copenhagen, LLB, 2014 and LL.M, 2017

EXPERIENCE

  • Advised an international travel booking company on whether its products were regarded contracts of insurance.
  • Supported governments authorities on drafting law, regulations and standards. Key projects include leading the legal team supporting a UAE regulatory authority on drafting of regulatory standards and advising a Central Asian government in developing regulations and standards for a new tech freezone.*
  • Provided strategic advice to a UAE government agency regarding licensing to become a payment services -and/or stored value facility provider and advised on ongoing compliance requirements as part of a transformation project to privatise the agency.*
  • Advised a listed company on its obligations under SCA (now CMA) regulations and ADX market rules in relation to a potential insolvency, restructuring, and acquisition.*
  • Provided strategic advice to a large American based financial institution licensed on its regulatory obligations under the CMA rules as a CMA licensed custodian in KSA.*
  • Provided advice to a large international asset manager looking to understand key licensing and regulatory obligations in numerous jurisdictions across the region.*
  • Reviewed and uplifted FSRA required policies and procedures required to obtain a banking license in the ADGM.*
  • Advised a Singapore based payment services provider on the necessary requirements to operate in KSA including considering whether they would in fact be classified as a payment system.*
  • I led an investigation into potential corporate misconduct, outsourcing issues and corruption at a UAE bank involving evidence review, stakeholder interviews and preparation of board presentations.*
  • Advised a large corporation (non-designated entity) on its obligations under the federal AML Act and the Criminal Code with regards to receiving large amounts of cash and high number of payment transactions from high-risk countries.*

* Denotes work from previous firm.

Languages
  • Danish
  • English

Prior Experience

Kathinka previously practiced at leading law firms in the MENA region and in Australia, worked in the regulatory compliance team of a Big4 consulting firm, and as in-house legal counsel at a successful European FinTech startup.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Australian practicing certificate, admitted in New South Wales.

Connect

Phone

+971 4 438 6227
(Work, Dubai)
+971 4 438 6227
(Mobile, Dubai)
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