The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Allen & Overy LLP is a first tier firm,

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd is a global finance powerhouse and its Thailand arm does not disappoint: ‘It is definitely in the first tier for banking in Bangkok’. Under the leadership of the ‘very committed and business-minded’ Stephen Jaggs, lawyers ‘consistently provide value-added advice’ - although some clients argue that ‘value for money is just not a factor when dealing with this firm as excellent advice is always worth paying for’. Among the firm’s recent highlights, it advised International Finance Corporation on a substantial loan to Electricité du Laos and also advised PTT, as borrower, on a $500m club loan.

Within Corporate and M&A (including capital markets), Allen & Overy LLP is a first tier firm,

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd’s team scores points for its ‘international network with great coordination from local offices’. Recommended lawyers include the ‘flexible’ and ‘client-focused’ Arkrapol Pichedvanichok and office managing partner Simon Makinson. Over the past year, the firm has seen an increase in instructions from Thai companies investing abroad and notably advised PTT Chemical International Private Limited, subsidiary of PTT Chemical Public Company, on its $60m acquisition of a 46% stake in US-based Myriant Technologies.

Within Dispute resolution, Allen & Overy LLP is a third tier firm,

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd’s one-partner team is led by the ‘prudent, humble and hugely committed’ Dumnern Subpaisarn. The firm is advising Shin Corp on legal and regulatory issues relating to a dispute with TOT.

Within Dispute resolution: International arbitration, Allen & Overy LLP is a second tier firm,

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd is representing United Utilities, the UK’s largest water business, in its ongoing $280m arbitration against the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration concerning a waste water treatment project. Dumnern Subpaisarn is the main contact.

Within Projects and energy, Allen & Overy LLP is a first tier firm,

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd’s practice is led by the ‘highly commercial and user-friendly’ Stephen Jaggs. The firm scores points for its ‘unbeatable commitment and response times’ and strikes an enviable balance between acting for both banks and sponsors on regional energy projects. In a major highlight, the firm is leveraging off its global experience in public private partnerships (PPP) to advise Japan Bank for International Cooperation on a new PPP framework for Thailand. Other representative clients include The Kansai Electric Power Company and the Asian Development Bank.

Within Real estate and construction, Allen & Overy LLP is a second tier firm,

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd is recommended for its ‘professional and client-led service’, with Simon Makinson highlighted as ‘very commercial’. The firm advised Raimon Land on the split of land in central Bangkok into two titles and its subsequent sale to Thai Summit Grande Estate and Noble Development - a project value of THB4bn.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Allen & Overy LLP is a second tier firm,

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd’s restructuring practice sits alongside its market-leading finance practice to specialise in advising financial institutions on complex restructuring matters. The firm is representing Citibank as security agent on TT&T’s high-profile restructuring. Dumnern Subpaisarn is recommended.

Within TMT, Allen & Overy LLP is a second tier firm,

Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co, Ltd scored a coup with an instruction from Thailand’s largest telecoms and mobile phone company, Shin Corp, to advise it on issues arising from its subsidiary AIS’s concession dispute with TOT. Dumnern Subpaisarn is considered ‘second to none’ and is highlighted for his ‘bold commitment’.