The Legal 500

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

Norton Rose (Asia) LLP’s five-partner team advises on aviation, shipping and offshore finance. Gervais Green advised DVB Group Merchant Bank (Asia) on a $420m export credit supported loan facility to OSX 1 Leasing. Ben Rose assisted Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation with the $137m secured limited recourse project financing of the FSO Orkid. Aviation finance specialist Leigh Borello advised Standard Chartered Bank on the pre-delivery payment financing of 25 aircraft to Tiger Airways. Robert Driver was promoted to partner.

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Clients commend Norton Rose (Asia) LLP for its ‘commercial acumen, strength of advice and value for money’. Nick Merritt, who is ‘particularly gifted in dealing with complex commercial and legal issues’, and Jeff Smith advised SportsHub Pte on financing the world’s largest sports and leisure infrastructure PPP. Smith is advising Indonesian electricity utility PLN and IFC (part of the World Bank) on the 2000MW Central Java power project. Yu-En Ong advised ANZ, HSBC and Rabobank on $1.3bn and A$600m syndicated loan facilities to Wilmar International for its acquisition of Sucrogen.

Within Local firms Leading individuals

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose (Asia) LLP’s practice is supported by its Singapore law capability and strong regional footprint. Ferzana Haq and Jill Gauntlett specialise in debt capital markets. Highlights included advising SportsHub Pte on the interest rate swap structuring and documentation part of the sponsor financing. Adam Summerley advised Jefferies International on Shiv-Vani’s $75m convertible bonds issue.

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

Norton Rose (Asia) LLP’s Jake Robson advised long-standing client, AXA SA, on it’s A$9.8bn acquisition of the Asian businesses of AXA APH. Adam Summerly led a team advising CLSA Capital Partners on an $80m investment in OSL’s shipping business. Jill Gauntlett is recommended for ‘safeguarding clients’ interests’.

Within Local firms Leading individuals

Within International arbitration, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

Norton Rose (Asia) LLP handles matters across Southeast Asia and India, and its QFLP licence enables it to undertake local work. The ‘hardworking, persistent’ Guy Spooner handles issues relating to culture clashes within joint ventures. KC Lye focuses on energy and aviation, recently promoted partner Robert Driver handles energy and international trade disputes, and Peter Cash specialises in pharmaceutical and regulatory matters.

Within Legal market overview,

Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, Norton Rose (Asia) LLP and White & Case LLP hold Qualified Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) licences, allowing them to practise domestic law employing Singapore-qualified lawyers. Other firms achieve this through joint law ventures, notably Allens Arthur Robinson TSMP, Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow, Linklaters Allen & Gledhill, Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee and Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP. In 2011, market liberalisation produced new alliances and local subsidiaries of international firms, notably Duane Morris & Selvam LLP, a joint law venture between Duane Morris LLP and Selvam LLC, and Ince & Co’s establishment of Incisive Law LLC.

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose (Asia) LLP’s highlights included advising the lenders on the financing of the Singapore Sports Hub PPP, and acting for INPEX and Total on offtake arrangements from the Ichthys LNG project in northern Australia. Daniel Reinbott and Ashley Wright are singled out for praise.

Within Local firms Leading individuals

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose (Asia) LLP’s Gervais Green, Guy Spooner, Daniel Yong, and Robert Driver advised on the Arpeni Pratama restructuring. Adam Summerly advised Bio Treat Technology on the restructuring of S$206m convertible unsecured bonds.

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose (Asia) LLP’s Guy Spooner handles shipping disputes, and recently promoted partner Robert Driver undertakes non-contentious work. Gervais Green advised DVB Group Merchant Bank (Asia) on a $42m export credit supported loan facility to OSX 1 Leasing. Stephen Begley transferred from the Hong Kong office. Clients recommend Kate Sherrard.

Within Local firms Leading individuals