The Legal 500

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

Zul Rafique & Partners has recently handled an eclectic range of work, spanning sectors such as retail electronics, shipping and telecoms, with many transactions involving hybrid conventional and Islamic financing arrangements. It advised a consortium of lenders, which included CIMB Bank and Maybank, on a RM1.5bn syndicated term loan facility to Jana Pendidikan to part–finance the acquisition of Pan Malaysian Pools. The eight–lawyer team, led by Loh Mei Mei, won several panel appointments, including Kuwait Finance House and BNP Paribas.

Within Capital markets, Zul Rafique & Partners is a second tier firm,

Zul Rafique & Partners’ Loh Mei Mei advises on debt financing, and recently acted for CIMB Investment Bank, Hong Leong Investment Bank and RBS on a RM1.4bn capital securities issuance by Hong Leong Bank. Catheryn Chay leads on equity transactions, and was local counsel to a consortium that included Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank on Bumi Armada’s IPO. Jerry Ong leads the team.

Within Corporate and M&A, Zul Rafique & Partners is a third tier firm,

Zul Rafique & Partners maintains an enviable reputation in the sector, having acted on some of Malaysia’s largest telecoms sector deals in recent years.

Within Dispute resolution, Zul Rafique & Partners is a first tier firm,

Zul Rafique & Partners’ ‘excellent’ practice is headed by senior partner Cecil Abraham, who continues to command huge respect among peers. Abraham led a three–partner team in successfully opposing an oppression petition made against EON Capital at both the High Court and Federal Court, in a claim worth RM1bn. Sunil Abraham creates ‘extremely well–formulated arguments and legal strategy’, and Tunku Alizan Alias provides ‘innovative thinking and ideas’. Tang Ai Leen is recommended for real estate and construction disputes.

Within IT and telecoms, Zul Rafique & Partners is a third tier firm,

Zul Rafique & Partners’ track record includes drafting some of Malaysia’s most important multimedia legislation. Darren Kor and Au Wei Lien are the main contacts.

Within Islamic finance, Zul Rafique & Partners is a first tier firm,

Zul Rafique & Partners advised PT TH Indo Plantations in relation to a $183m murabahah term financing facility from Maybank, and also advised Maxis on its first sukuk issuance to be structured on an unsecured basis. Loh Mei Mei leads the team, which includes three other partners.

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

Zul Rafique & Partners recently acted on several Islamic issuances in the energy sector, with Loh Mei Mei advising arranger Standard Chartered on a RM3.5bn sukuk programme by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company.

Within Real estate and construction, Zul Rafique & Partners is a first tier firm,

Zul Rafique & Partners team, led by the well–regarded Tang Ai Leen, has strong experience advising on REITs. It recently acted for CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust on both a RM2bn investment in retail shopping malls and a listing on Bursa Malaysia.