The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Albar & Partners is a first tier firm,

Niche banking and finance firm Albar & Partners is ‘business oriented, with ample resources’. The seven–partner team has considerable expertise in Islamic finance, with both Lily Tan and Chung Swee Loong recognised as leading practitioners in the field. Loong has led on big–ticket matters in sectors such as telecoms and infrastructure, recently advising RHB Bank, HSBC Labuan and Standard Chartered Bank on part–financing the RM4.5bn merger between Sunway Holdings and Sunway City.

Within Capital markets, Albar & Partners is a second tier firm,

Albar & Partners is noted for its ‘good response times’ and ‘sound advice’ on the full spectrum of financing transactions. Chung Swee Loong advised CIMB Investment Bank on a RM2.45bn sukuk issuance by Maxis. ‘Proactive, thorough and very experienced’ practice head Lily Tan advised MSM Malaysia Holdings on its debut Bursa Malaysia listing.

Within Corporate and M&A, tier 4

Albar & Partners is notable for its strength in capital markets and IPO–related corporate matters. Lily Tan led a team advising MSM Malaysia Holdings on its pre–listing group formation of subsidiary companies Malayan Sugar Manufacturing and Kilang Gula.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Albar & Partners’ practice is led by senior partners Narayanan Chandran and Vijay Vijaykumar, with support from Koh Yew Chong. The firm has been active in commercial and civil disputes at the High Court and Court of Appeal, and has a particular focus on banking matters, for clients such as Alliance Bank and Bank Simpanan Nasional.

Within Islamic finance, Albar & Partners is a first tier firm,

Albar & Partners predominantly handles Islamic financing deals in the project and energy sectors. A major highlight was advising a lending consortium, which included Maybank Investment Bank, on the RM6.8bn hybrid financing of the Tanjung Bin coal plant, which involved a sukuk facility of RM3.3bn. The team, led by Syed Zaid Albar, has also been active in oil, gas and waste project financing transactions.

Within Projects and energy, Albar & Partners is a second tier firm,

Albar & Partners leverages its strong expertise in advising lenders on Islamic financing transactions to assist on projects and energy matters. Angeline Lee was part of a team advising Hong Leong Investment Bank on a RM343m issuance to finance an oilfield company’s entry into emerging markets.

Within Real estate and construction, Albar & Partners is a second tier firm,

Albar & Partners advises its banking clients on lending arrangements to finance major property developments. Senior partner Lily Tan advised Hong Leong Investment Bank on a RM400m issuance to finance the acquisition of the Quill 7 skyscraper.

Within Shipping, Albar & Partners is a third tier firm,

Albar & Partners’ highly respected finance practice has strong experience in shipping matters. Chung Swee Loong is the main contact.