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Description

Derivatives Law: Contracting, Framing and Securing Transactions

Secure derivatives transactions legally, from the master agreement through to collateral management

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

A derivatives transaction is decided as much in the documentation as in the market. The master agreement and its annexes determine the treatment of security interests and events of default. When a counterparty fails, or when a review focuses on the accuracy of confirmations, loose drafting proves costly for legal counsel and middle office alike.

This short format connects financial contract law to the reality of post-trade operations. You examine the architecture of the master agreement and its annexes, then the netting and collateral exchange mechanisms. Exercises are based on anonymised clauses.

Learning objectives

  • Identify the legal characterisation of the main derivative instruments
  • Describe the architecture of a master agreement and its annexes
  • Analyse early termination and close-out netting clauses
  • Secure the confirmation and settlement chain of transactions
  • Anticipate the reporting obligations attached to transactions

What makes this programme different

Guided reading of the annexes to an anonymised master agreement
Systematic move from contractual wording to the operational flow
A documentary control checklist of watch points to apply back at work

Programme

1Instruments and Legal Characterisation

Naming before contracting

  • Families of derivatives and the economic logic of each
  • Characterisation as a financial contract and its legal consequences
  • Distinction between exchange-traded and over-the-counter transactions
  • Participants in the chain and their respective responsibilities

2Master Agreement and Annexes

Where the risk really sits

  • Structure of the master agreement and hierarchy of documents
  • Events of default and early termination circumstances
  • Credit support annex and collateral management
  • Confirmations and evidence of the parties' agreement

3Execution, Clearing and Compliance

From contract to flow

  • Central clearing and associated obligations
  • Margin calls and valuation disputes
  • Transaction reporting and audit trails
  • Common disputes and documentary watch points

Who is it for

Legal counsel in banks and asset management firms, along with middle office managers and staff within operations departments.

Prerequisites

General knowledge of financial instruments and market terminology is required.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.