Europe

In jurisdictions where we do not practice local law, we have close working relationships with leading external counsel. Our areas of focus include:

Asset Finance, Consumer Finance and Leasing

Our asset finance, consumer finance and leasing practice advises many financial services companies on contentious and non-contentious issues. We advise on gaining authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority and ensuring ongoing compliance with all requirements of the regulatory regime.

Aviation

From major aircraft accidents to satellite risks to corporate financing, litigation and arbitration, leasing arrangements and commercial and regulatory matters, we provide services related to airlines, airports, sanctions compliance, general aviation and product liability.

Banking and Finance

From small banks and finance houses to larger financial institutions, clients depend on our experience to provide essential services in their financing, regulatory, structuring and corporate matters and borrowing requirements. 

Capital Markets

We advise clients ranging from Europe-based organizations to global corporations on both main market and AIM transactions on the London Stock Exchange. This includes premium and standard listings, secondary equity fundraisings, pre-IPO fundraisings, M&A, corporate governance advice, regulatory requirements and shareholder disputes. We also advise on public takeovers involving both traditional offers and schemes of arrangements.

Cards and Payments

We lead clients through the financial and regulatory maze whether they are new to the market, seeking advice on the latest regulations or want to expand their business. We work closely with regulators and key supervisory bodies on developments facing the industry in the United Kingdom and in other international markets.

Commercial

European clients depend on our support as they operate, regulate and grow their businesses. We use our experience in outsourcing, franchising, licensing and multichannel strategies, privacy and data protection, IT and communications to provide a complete solution to our clients’ requirements.

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions

From startups to large corporates and public companies, we advise on acquisitions and disposals, private equity investments, MBOs/ MBIs, JVs and shareholder agreements as well as general commercial contracts. We also advise on corporate finance, corporate structures and strategies, director responsibilities and corporate governance, investment funds, strategic alliances, fundraising, listing and securities.

Data Centers

With experience in 50 jurisdictions, we offer cross-border advice on large, business-critical data center projects across regions in Europe and beyond. We act for multinational telecoms corporations, international insurance companies, investors, global banks and some of the world’s largest data center operators.

Dispute Resolution

Litigation. We regularly represent clients on disputes governed by foreign law or where a challenge is made to the jurisdiction of the English courts. For multijurisdictional management of cross-border disputes and coordination of advice across jurisdictions, we provide an integrated service.

Arbitration. London is the venue of choice for international arbitration, and we act on matters involving commercial arbitration, investment treaties, treaty arbitration and related settlement negotiation procedures.

Employment

We advise on all employment issues, contentious and non-contentious, and are particularly experienced with: 

Energy

Clients across Europe and around the world have benefited from our advice on all aspects of the energy value chain. They include:

Financial Services

We focus on issues for banks, mutual and building societies, asset managers, stock exchanges and insurers, as well as provide tailored support for brokerage houses, hedge funds and global investment bodies. The advice we offer is broad from mergers and acquisitions to regulation; FinTech to tailored financing structures; and competition investigations to disputes.

Insurance

For a century, we have supported insurers and reinsurers in the London and European global insurance centers in regulatory compliance, strategic transactions, policy wording, claims analysis, contested claims disputes, litigation and arbitration.

IP

Our IP team in London and Brussels has multifaceted skills in establishing, managing, asserting and defending intellectual property. We act before the UK, EU and U.S. courts and Intellectual Property Offices and the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization. We also work in other jurisdictions through a network of external counsel to serve our clients’ foreign trademark registration needs.

Real Estate

Offering a range of services, including advice on acquisitions and disposals, pre-let building agreements, commercial lettings, and sale/leaseback and asset management, we advise clients in the major real estate sectors, particularly offices, industrial and retail. Our clients include domestic and off-shore companies, private individuals and family offices, investors and developers, and commercial and private banks.

Restructuring and Insolvency

Our award-winning restructuring and insolvency team is experienced in cross-border matters, including Chapter 11 reorganizations, UK Schemes and Administrations, pre-packaged sales, debt for equity swaps and all aspects of insolvency and other litigation and arbitration. We are particularly skilled in:

We also have extensive experience in “Chapter 15,” including the first UK recognition of a “Section 211B” Singapore Scheme of Arrangement.