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Notable Cases

Appleby Advise the SMP Group on its Acquisition of Helm Trust Company Ltd

Appleby acted as legal counsel to the SMP Group of Companies, in relation to the acquisition of Helm Trust Company Limited, a highly regarded trust and corporate services provider based in Jersey.

The SMP Group of Companies, headquartered in the Isle of Man, provides corporate and trust structuring, accounting and tax, gaming and fund services to a global client base of both corporate clients and high net worth individuals.

The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, was undertaken with the support of Palatine Private Equity LLP, the mid-market private equity house that Appleby assisted through its management buyout of SMP earlier this year, with additional debt funding from Apera Asset Management.

The team at Appleby was led by Jersey Corporate Partner Andrew Weaver with support from Senior Associate Chris Smedley and Associate Lebogang Maimane. The Corporate team were further assisted by Group Partner Richard Sheldon and Associate Paul Worsnop in respect of the employment elements of the transaction, Senior Associate Amy Benest for dispute resolution assistance and Counsel Jonathan Anderson in relation to the real estate aspects of the matter

Appleby Advises Petropavlovsk plc on Issue of USD125 Million Bonds

Appleby’s Jersey team led by Partner, Andrew Weaver and assisted by Associate, Zim Ceko advised and acted as Jersey counsel to Petropavlovsk plc and its subsidiary, Petropavlovsk 2010 Limited in respect of the issue of new USD125,000,000 Guaranteed Convertible Bonds, due 2024 by Petropavlovsk 2010 Limited.

The team also advised on consent solicitations required to amend the terms and conditions of existing USD100,000,000 Guaranteed Convertible Bonds due 2020 issued by Petropavlovsk 2010 Limited and the repurchase of such existing convertible bonds concurrently with the issue of the new convertible bonds.

Appleby assisted with the obtaining of regulatory approvals from the Jersey Financial Services Commission relating to amendments to the terms and conditions of the existing convertible bonds and the issue of the new convertible bonds.

Appleby advise Palatine Private Equity on its investment in SMP Partners

Appleby acted as legal counsel to Palatine Private Equity LLP (Palatine) on its recent investment in SMP Partners. The investment was in support of a management buyout as part of a planned leadership succession process. The deal exchanged earlier in the year and completed on 14 June 2019.

Palatine Private Equity are a regional mid-market private equity firm with a very strong and successful track record. SMP Partners is a leading, independent, international corporate services provider with exciting plans for future growth.

Appleby advised on a broad range of Isle of Man, Cayman, Jersey and British Virgin Islands legal matters and demonstrated the advantage of its global footprint in the key offshore finance centres.

The cross-jurisdictional team at Appleby was led by Corporate Partner Tom Brook, providing Isle of Man and BVI advice, with support from Isle of Man Counsel Michelle Brook. Partner Jacob MacAdam and Associate Dean Bennett provided Cayman Islands legal expertise whilst Partner Andrew Weaver and Senior Associate Chris Smedley advised on Jersey aspects of the deal.

The team worked closely with Gateley PLC, who acted as lead counsel to Palatine.

Appleby advises JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. on USD1.25 billion credit facility

Leading offshore law firm Appleby advised JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in relation to the Jersey law aspects of a new USD 1.25 billion asset-based revolving credit facility to the Adient Group. The facility was used to prepay in full and terminate commitments under an existing credit agreement.

The Adient Group is a global leader in automotive seating with 84,000 employees operating in 214 manufacturing and assembly plants in 32 countries worldwide.

The Jersey team at Appleby consisted of Corporate Partner Wendy Benjamin and Senior Associate, Kevin McQuillan.

Appleby Advises on Manx Telecom Takeover

Appleby acted as Isle of Man counsel to (1) Basalt Infrastructure Partners II A L.P., (2) Basalt Infrastructure Partners II B L.P., (3) Basalt Infrastructure Partners II C L.P. and (4) Basalt Infrastructure Partners II D L.P., each acting through its general partner Basalt Infrastructure Partners II GP Limited (Basalt), on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Manx Telecom plc (MT). The recommended cash acquisition, through a scheme of arrangement that became effective on 9 May 2019, valued MT at approximately GBP 255.9 million.

MT is the Isle of Man’s leading communication solutions provider. It owns and operates the vast majority of fixed and mobile telecommunications infrastructure on the island and offers a wide range of fixed-line, broadband, mobile and data centre services to businesses, consumers and the public sector.

Basalt is an infrastructure equity investment fund focusing on investments in the key sectors of energy, transportation, telecommunication and utility assets across Europe and North America.

The Appleby team was led by corporate partner Garry Manley and also included Tom Brook (finance), Mark Holligon and Claire Corkish (litigation), Juan Thornley (pensions), Caren Pegg (employment) and Alexandra Dernie (real estate). The team worked closely with Travers Smith, who acted as lead counsel to Basalt.

Appleby advises Thomas Miller Investment on the sale of its offshore private client investment management business to Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management

Appleby has advised Thomas Miller Investment on the sale of its offshore private client investment management business to Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management.

On 21 March 2019 it was announced that Canaccord Genuity Group Inc., through its UK & Europe based wealth management business, Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire Thomas Miller Wealth Management Limited and an asset purchase agreement to acquire the private client investment management business of Thomas Miller Investment (Isle of Man) Limited.

Thomas Miller Wealth Management Limited is an integrated wealth manager headquartered in London and provides financial planning and investment management services to private clients, trusts, charities and corporates in the UK. Client assets of Thomas Miller Wealth Management Limited and the private client investment management business in the Isle of Man total approximately GBP 1.0 billion and together generated revenue of approximately GBP 8.4 million for the year ended 31 December 2018.

The sale, which is subject to customary closing conditions, will allow Thomas Miller Investment to focus on its core institutional investment management activities.

An Appleby team, led by Isle of Man-based corporate partner Garry Manley, acted as lead counsel to Thomas Miller Investment on the sale of the Isle of Man private client investment management business.

Appleby Advises Aquatic Foods Group Plc on AIM Listing

Appleby acted as Jersey counsel for Aquatic Foods Group Plc, a marine foods and seafood processor and supplier based in the People’s Republic of China, supplying to export and local markets, in relation to its flotation on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market on 3 February 2015.

The Company, successfully raised £9.3 million through the issue of 13,226,081 new ordinary shares at a price of 70 pence per ordinary share, the net proceeds of the Fundraising will be used in part to expand the Group’s processing capabilities. Aquatic Foods’ market capitalisation on admission, based on the placing price, was approximately £79.3 million.

The Appleby team was led by James Gaudin, partner and Jersey Head for Structured Finance, who was assisted by Senior Associate Simon Tait. Appleby acted alongside Aquatic Foods UK lawyers Olswang LLP, China lawyers Trend Associates and nominated advisor and broker SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP.

Appleby advises Tritax Big Box REIT plc on the acquisition of DB Symmetry and a GBP 400m US private placement

Appleby has assisted long standing client Tritax Big Box REIT plc (TBBR), a main market listed investment fund focussed on acquiring and managing logistics assets, on its big start to 2019. By the end of February, TBBR had closed the GBP 370M acquisition of an 87% stake in db Symmetry, one of the largest privately owned warehouse developers in the UK, and raised GBP 400m via a US Private Placement.

db Symmetry has a land portfolio comprising 2,500 acres, and as a result of the scarcity of land at major logistics locations in the UK, the portfolio of new assets will provide a significant commercial and competitive advantage for TBBR in the future. TBBR part funded the purchase price of GBP 370 million by raising GBP 250 million through a placing and open offer of 192.3 million new shares. The Appleby team in Jersey, led by corporate partner Andrew Weaver and assisted by associate Paul Worsnop, advised on the acquisition documents and helped TBBR structure the acquisition vehicle through which the db Symmetry senior management team retain their 13% interest in the group. The transaction involved the acquisition of a number of BVI companies with due diligence and BVI acquisition mechanics being led by Isle of Man based corporate partner and head of Appleby’s BVI (GMT) team Kyle Sutherland and assisted by associate Sophie Corkish.

Later in February 2019, TBBR successfully drew on the GBP 400 million US private placement that was priced in November 2018. Much like the existing Euro medium term note programme, the unsecured notes were guaranteed by over 50 of TBBR’s subsidiaries in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the BVI. The Appleby team, led by corporate partners Andrew Weaver, Kyle Sutherland and Jeremy Berchem, advised on the listing and offer documents and off-shore regulatory matters arising in connection with the placement as well as general transactional advice across all jurisdictions. With the Jersey office acting as the primary contact point, Appleby provided TBBR and their advisors with a single point of contact across all jurisdictions and consolidated advice, saving time, cost and duplicated effort.

These two transactions are the latest in a string of similar transactions Appleby has assisted TBBR with over the last few years including their GBP 1.5 billion Euro medium term note programme, current GBP 350 million revolving credit facility alongside other transactions for funds advised by the Tritax Group such as the EUR 118 million acquisition of a regional distribution centre in Italy for Tritax Eurobox plc in 2018.

Appleby advises GBGI Limited on its acquisition by Guernsey scheme of arrangement

Appleby’s Guernsey office has advised GBGI Limited on its acquisition by Elm Bidco, L.P., a limited partnership controlled by affiliates of Further Global Capital Management, L.P.

Global Benefits Group is the world’s largest independent, fully integrated provider of international benefits.

The takeover was implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement approved by the Royal Court in Guernsey. The Appleby team advised Guernsey incorporated GBGI Limited (which was formerly listed on AIM) with all Guernsey law aspects of the scheme, which came into effect on 20 February 2019.

Appleby’s team in Guernsey consisted of Corporate Group Partner Andrew Harding and Dispute Resolution Partner Anthony Williams, supported by Counsel Chet Pohl and Associate Gary Orritt. Appleby worked alongside Allen & Overy LLP who acted as lead counsel to the target company.

Appleby advise on Santander banking transfer in Jersey and Isle of Man

Appleby has advised Santander on the transfer of their banking businesses in both Jersey and Isle of Man. The businesses of Santander UK plc, Jersey branch and Santander UK plc, Isle of Man branch, were transferred on 17 December 2018 into the respective Jersey and Isle of Man branches of Abbey National Treasury Services plc, pursuant to a transfer scheme in each jurisdiction, which have both received court-sanction. Appleby has previously advised on all recent similar court-sanctioned schemes in respect of deposit-taking business in both Jersey and the Isle of Man.

The Jersey team consisted of Partners Wendy Benjamin, Michael Cushing, David Dorgan, Tim Hart, and Richard Sheldon, supported by Senior Associate Gemma Whale, Associate Dilly Wright and Paralegal Angharad Prescott.

The Isle of Man team was led by Corporate Partner Juan Thornley, assisted by Senior Associate Eleanor Harding and Associate Camilla Griffiths-Rand, alongside Dispute Resolution Partner Mark Holligon, assisted by Counsel, Claire Corkish.

Appleby Jersey acts in ground-breaking trust litigation decision

In a landmark decision, the Royal Court of Jersey has held that a settlors’ exercise of personal powers of revocation of a trust should be declared invalid.

In the Representation of Jasmine Trustees Limited and another [2018] JRC 210, the Court held that the settlors of two Jersey law trusts, who each held a power of revocation, had not executed the powers of their own free will. Rather, the Court held that the settlors had been unduly influenced by a third party (the father and a beneficiary of the trusts) to exercise the power of revocation as part of his attempts to assert control over the trusts’ assets.

This appears to be the first occasion in which a court has declared a revocation notice given by the relevant power holder to be invalid and of no effect, and it will be interesting to see the wider impact this decision may have.

Appleby Dispute Resolution Jersey Partner Fraser Robertson and Senior Associate Amy Benest, acted for the successful Applicant in this matter.

Appleby Jersey acts in First Winding up of a Limited Partnership

Appleby acts in first winding up of a limited partnership by the Royal Court of Jersey under the Limited Partnerships (Jersey) Law 1994.

In Representation of Private Equity Fund Finance Limited [2018] JRC 194, the Royal Court of Jersey has for the first time made orders to bring about the orderly winding up of a Jersey limited partnership under Article 23 of the Limited Partnerships (Jersey) Law 1994 (the Law).

The limited partnership involved had been established in 1997 to invest in early stage European medical ventures. A Jersey incorporated company named Renaissance Partners Limited was the General Partner. By the time the matter came before the Court, there were four limited partners remaining, including the Applicant (which had been the largest capital contributor to the limited partnership).

The General Partner was struck off the register of companies on 1 October 2016 for failure to file its annual return. As the Court observed, the directors of the General Partner had apparently been assured that non-payment of the annual return fee ‘would result in the company going into a state of suspension, from which it could be revived at a later date on payment of a modest fine’. In fact, pursuant to Article 24 of the Law, the effect of the General Partner being struck off was the dissolution of the limited partnership. Upon dissolution, the assets were arguably bona vacantia and therefore escheated to the Crown.

The Applicant had reached an agreement with HM Receiver General for the assets to be returned to the custody of the Applicant, subject to payment of a fee on a time-costed basis (and to a cap of 5% of aggregate value). This enabled the assets of the dissolved limited partnership to be collected in and dealt with, without the expense of seeking to restore the General Partner to the register. In a decision which demonstrates a typically practical and commercially-minded approach, the Court blessed this agreement and made orders authorising the Applicant to collect in, realise and distribute the assets of the partnership. In the event that the assets proved insufficient to pay all creditor claims in full, the Applicant was ordered to return to Court for further directions prior to making any distributions.

Appleby Jersey Partner Michael Cushing and Associate Craig Campbell acted for the Applicant in this matter.

Appleby advises PraxisIFM Group on its acquisition of Nerine International Holdings Limited

Appleby Guernsey acted for long-term client PraxisIFM Group, in its acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Nerine International Holdings Limited, a Bahamian registered company, and its various overseas subsidiaries.

This is the fourth acquisition in two years in which Jersey and Guernsey Appleby teams have acted for the Channel Islands-based group and also follows the 2015 merger between Praxis and IFM Group and the 2017 investment and TISE listing.

Nerine is an independent group providing fiduciary servicing to alternative investment funds and international business clients with management, domiciliation, administrative, corporate and fund service solutions. With this key strategic acquisition, Nerine will help PraxisIFM Group to add significantly to the Group’s capabilities in private client and corporate services upon completion. It will also add two additional jurisdictions to the group’s service offering, and take its total number of offices to 15 with more than 520 employees.

The total consideration, payable in cash and equity, comprises the initial consideration of £16,534,383 and deferred payments payable on the first and second anniversaries with a maximum value of £23,620,547.

The deal is subject to various regulatory approvals.

The Appleby team was led by Group Partner Andrew Harding and Wendy Benjamin with assistance from Senior Associate James Walsh and Paralegal James Dickinson. The team acted as lead-counsel to PraxisIFM Group, and advised on all aspects of the transaction, including due diligence, negotiation of all transaction documents, regulatory change of control approval and employee retention matters.

Appleby advise on offshore aspects of £150m sale of Lombard division

Appleby provided Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Cayman legal advice in connection with the disposal by Lombard, the asset finance division of RBS, on the £150m sale of its offshore Channel Islands division by way of portfolio sale to specialist lenders Investec and Shawbrook Bank.

Working alongside lead counsel Addleshaw Goddard, Appleby provided multi-jurisdictional advice on the transaction, evidencing the collective strength of the team across the jurisdictions.

James Gaudin, Corporate Partner, supported by Gemma Whale, Associate with assistance from Kyle Sutherland, Corporate Partner (Isle of Man), Jeremy Berchem, Group Partner (Guernsey), and Caroline Barton, Corporate Partner (Cayman), led the team at Appleby from the Jersey office.

Relevant links

Appleby advise the SMP group on its acquisition of Helm Trust Company Ltd. (GUE – 19.07.19) Appleby advises Petropavlovsk Plc on the issue of USD125 million convertible bonds (JER – 10.07.19) Appleby advise Palatine Private Equity on its investment in SMP Partners (IOM – 24.06.19) Appleby advises JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. on USA125 billion credit facility (JER – 28.05.19) Appleby advises on Manx Telecom Takeover (IOM – 23.05.19) Appleby advises Thomas Miller Investment on the sale of its offshore private client investment management business to Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management (IOM – 25.04.19) Appleby advises Aquatic Foods Group Plc on AIM listing (JER – 12.04.19) Appleby advises Tritax Big Box Reit Plc on the acquisition of DB Symmetry and a GBP 400m US private placement (IOM – 05.04.19) Appleby advises GBGI Limited on its acquisition by Guernsey Scheme of Arrangement (GUE – 21.02.19) Appleby advise on Santander banking transfer in Jersey and Isle of Man (CD – 10.01.19) Appleby Jersey acts in ground-breaking trust litigation decision (JER – 23.11.18) Appleby Jersey acts in First Winding up of a limited partnership (JER – 15.11.18) Appleby advises PraxisIFM Group its acquisition of Nerine International Holdings Limited (JER/GUE/IOM – 05.07.18) Appleby advise on offshore aspects of £150m sale of Lombard division (GUE/IOM – 25.06.18)