Corporate restructuring & insolvency in London
Akin Gump LLP
Praised by one client for its 'strong ability to corral bondholders with different agendas and well supported by New York colleagues', Akin Gump LLP excels in advising creditors, including hedge and pension funds, in complex multi-party restructuring mandates. A true destination practice, the majority of matters handled by the 13-partner team, which is run out of London by the 'experienced and commercial' James Roome and Barry Russell, is of a standalone nature, a testament to the firm's ability to 'maximize value for its clients in a sustainable way'. Leveraging the firm's overarching energy sector expertise, the team continues to be at the forefront of creditor mandates in the oil and gas sector, with the 'calm and collected' James Terry benefiting from particular expertise in relation to Norwegian bond restructurings. The 'energetic and enthusiastic' Liz Osborne is a 'calm and focused negotiator' for a versatile array of investor clients, which are appreciative of her ability to 'deal effortlessly with highly complex detail'. The 'quietly spoken but fiercely intelligent' Emma Simmonds is a 'stylish negotiator' and is regularly involved in high-profile restructurings of distressed bonds, private placement notes and loans in Europe.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
James Terry; Tom Bannister; Liz Osborne; Emma Simmonds; Lois Deasey; Lauren Pflueger; Matt Benson
Testimonials
The team has comprehensive skills and significant experience in multi-party complex restructuring.
In addition to being very good lawyers, they have two other qualities that I have always found sets them apart from other work-out lawyers. First, in discussions where they represent a group of disparate lenders, they are able to lead the discussions and offer a range of approaches in order to more quickly and efficiently reach consensus. Second, they understand the business implications of situations and thus are able to separate the theoretical from the practical in strategic discussions with clients.
The team has a strong ability to corral bondholders with different agendas and are well supported by their New York colleagues for cross-border deals.
James Terry is calm and collected and very commercial.
James Roome – good for high level strategic guidance. Knows how restructurings play out and how to get clients the best deal.
When you think of what a great partner and advisor is in terms of external counsel, Barry Russell embodies it and then beats it. By far.
The energetic and enthusiastic Liz Osborne is extremely hardworking and a great negotiator.
Liz Osborne is exceptional in all regards – she deals effortlessly with highly complex detail and yet retains a clear vision of how everything fits. Importantly for clients, she inspires huge confidence that your interests are being relentlessly considered, and, if necessary, fought for.
Emma Simmonds is quietly spoken but fiercely intelligent and a stylish negotiator.
Key clients
Agrokor d.d.
Ad Hoc Committee of Noteholders of Digicel Group Limited
Lenders to the Endeavour Group of Companies
Fairhold Securitisation Limited
Strategic Value Partners (UK) LLP
The Ad Hoc Group of Senior Secured Noteholders of Galapagos SA
Majority bondholder of Norwegian Law Governed Secured Bonds Issued by G3 Exploration Limited
The Noteholders of Royal Imtech N.V. and its Subsidiaries
The Lenders to (and Shareholders of) the Interserve Group of Companies
Global Group of Mozambique Bondholders (GGMB)
Ad Hoc Group of Senior Unsecured Creditors of Noble Group Limited
Nordic Trustee AS
Certain Affiliated Noteholders of the Syncreon Group
Holders of Shares and Notes Issued by Terreal Holding SAS and its subsidiaires
The Ad Hoc Noteholder Committee of Weatherford International
Work highlights
- Advised Agrokor, as independent international legal counsel, in connection with the negotiation and implementation of a global settlement plan as contemplated by The Law on the Procedure of Extraordinary Administration in Companies of Systemic Importance for the Republic of Croatia.
- Advising Fairhold Securitisation Limited in connection with the restructuring of its £413.7m Class A Secured Floating Rate Notes and £29.8m Class B Secured Floating Rate Notes and its potential swap liabilities.
- Lead counsel to Strategic Value Partners in relation to the successful restructuring of a Norwegian law governed $611m senior secured credit facility advanced to Oslo stock exchange-listed international drilling contractor, Dolphin Drilling ASA, and in relation to its $120m senior unsecured notes.
Allen & Overy LLP
Led by Ian Field and Earl Griffith , Allen & Overy LLP's 13-partner team has the critical mass and 'high level of technical expertise' to ensure that it wins mandates advising key stakeholders in many of the most significant domestic and cross-border restructurings in the market. Active in situations throughout the capital structure, the team is able to provide integrated advice using the expertise of lawyers spread throughout the firm's network of European, Asian, Middle Eastern and US offices, enabling clients to receive the benefit of a team that can effectively implement core insolvency techniques across a range of scenarios, including US Chapter 11 reorganisations and UK schemes of arrangement. Although the firm handles work for an array of stakeholders, its strong institutional banking ties and involvement at the front end of deals, ensure that it picks up a large volume of mandates for senior creditors, including its recent role for the revolving credit facility lenders on Thomas Cook's high-profile £1.65bn restructuring. Randal Weeks is pivotal to many of the firm's banking and funds-side mandates and is a key senior practitioner in a team that also includes the 'outstanding' Jennifer Marshall, whose 'tremendous thought leadership' regularly sees her providing key strategic advice to clients on hot-button issues in the market, including as it relates to Brexit and European insolvency related legislation. Joel Ferguson continues to develop a strong creditor side practice for banks on restructurings and formal insolvencies, in addition to work in more niche areas including for swap counterparties in structured finance restructurings.
Practice head(s):
Ian Field (Head of Global Restructuring); Earl Griffith (Managing Partner, London Restructuring Group)
Other key lawyers:
Randal Weeks; Katrina Buckley; Jennifer Marshall; Tim Crocker; David Campbell; Melissa Samuel; Joel Ferguson; Hannah Valintine; Tim Watson; Nick Lister; Nick Charlwood; Lucy Aconley
Testimonials
The firm’s ability to deploy wide-ranging specialist resources at speed, in order to deliver even in the most condensed time frame is difficult to match.
The team provides a very high level of technical expertise combined with a strong work ethic.
The outstanding Jennifer Marshall displays tremendous thought leadership.
Key clients
KCA Deutag Group
PwC
Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority
ABM AMRO
Work highlights
- Advised the co-ordinating committee of creditors (banks and funds), the ad hoc creditors committee (funds), three existing facility agents and the new facility and security agent of Steinhoff Europe AG (SEAG) in relation to the €9.6bn restructuring of the Steinhoff group.
- Advised the RCF lenders of Thomas Cook Group Plc (Thomas Cook) in relation to the £1.65bn restructuring of the Thomas Cook group.
- Advised a shareholder and creditor in relation to the €2.6bn restructuring of the Nyrstar Group.
Clifford Chance LLP
Clifford Chance LLP's five-partner team provides 'top quality advice, across jurisdictions and across the spectrum of different types of transactions', running the gamut from balance sheet restructurings and distressed transactions, through to formal insolvency matters. Led by the 'pragmatic and commercial' Philip Hertz, the firm's balanced roster of clients, which includes banks, corporates and funds, and visibility for fulcrum stakeholders in high-profile mandates, (including recently Thomas Cook and British Steel) ensures that it is well-placed to provide 'an honest and accurate market view'. 'Attentive and careful in advising on the various options available', Iain White epitomises the firm's versatility and provides 'timely and accurate advice' to both creditors and debtors, frequently in a cross-border setting. John MacLennan 'has seen deals across different types of industries and European jurisdictions' and is a key member of a team that also includes the 'excellent' David Towers, whose broad-ranging practice also includes work for alternative lenders.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Adrian Cohen; John MacLennan; Iain White; David Towers; Melissa Coakley; Seema Shukla; Tim Lees; Chris Norman
Testimonials
The team provides precise, timely and accurate advice.
The firm provides top quality advice, across jurisdictions and across the spectrum of different types of transactions.
The team has a can-do attitude, is robust in negotiation when needed, but equally focused on getting the deal done and finding ways to work around problems.
Because of their position in the market, you can rely on them to give you an honest and accurate market view.
The pragmatic and commercial Philip Hertz has great knowledge and experience in wide-ranging UK and cross-border matters.
Iain White was attentive and careful in advising on the various options available to our side.
John MacLennan is an excellent lawyer, who is more than a steady pair of hands in the stress and tedium of a restructuring situation. He has seen deals across the different types of industries and European jurisdictions, and because of his contacts, if he doesn’t know the answer to a particular question, he will be able to find out the answer for you.
Key clients
Angelo Gordon
PIMCO
HSBC
OTAS
BNP Paribas
Credit Suisse
Mizuho
Natwest Markets/RBS
Barings
Deutsche Bank
EY
Hemisphere International Properties B.V.
Deloitte
Fosun Tourism Group
Davidson Kempner
KBC
Work highlights
- Advising the Official Receiver and EY in their capacity as Special Managers of British Steel Limited (BSL) on the liquidation of BSL generally and, in particular, on the sale of its business and assets to Jingye Steel (UK) Limited and Jingye Steel (UK) Holding Limited, a privately owned enterprise from the Hebei province in China.
- Advised Thomas Cook Group Plc’s largest shareholder, Fosun, on its attempted recapitalisation and restructuring of Thomas Cook.
- Advising the bank co-ordinating committee on the high-profile restructuring and recapitalisation of Nyrstar, which was minority owned by Trafigura, and with smelting and mining operations in Europe, Australia, Canada, the Nordics and the US.
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Led by the 'truly formidable, helpful and experienced' Partha Kar and Kon Asimacopoulos, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP's 'knowledgeable and well-connected' restructuring team provides 'thoughtful and smart advice' to a range of stakeholders on mandates throughout the capital structure, including those involving New York law governed high yield debt. The firm's 'truly unique relationships with the fund and financial adviser communities' ensure that the team has had a key seat at the table on many of the most significant recent European restructurings in the market, including an increasing number of debtor mandates. The 'brilliant' Sean Lacey is particularly well-versed in handling special situations and distressed investment mandates, while Elaine Nolan 'has very strong experience in designing, implementing and adapting complex Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs)', and has utilised the tool to good effect in a spate of high-profile retail restructurings. James Watson's broad exposure to an eclectic mix of stakeholders, including debtors, banks, alternative capital providers, financial sponsors, and insolvency practitioners (IPs), ensures that he is well-positioned to advise across a range of restructurings and formal insolvency situations.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
Probably the best restructuring team in Europe. The number of transactions they have advised on is astounding, and the relationships with the fund and financial advisor communities is truly unique.
The firm has very strong experience and are stand out practitioners in designing, implementing and adapting complex Company Voluntary Arrangements.
They are knowledgeable, experienced and well-connected, thoughtful and smart, and (very importantly) appropriately aggressive when the situation requires it.
Kon Asimacopoulos, Partha Kar and Sean Lacey are truly formidable, because they are so consistently successful. They are helpful and experienced, and will be at the top of the list of lawyers to call when a restructuring situation arises.
Elaine Nolan has been extremely helpful in considering various options and advising on both the technical and commercial aspects of each.
Key clients
Ad hoc committee of first lien lenders to Getronics
Ad hoc committee of Lebara bondholders
Ad hoc committee of the €2.6bn convertible bonds issued by Steinhoff Finance Holding
Agrokor / Fortenova
A.S.Adventure’s UK subsidiary, Outdoor and Cycle Concepts
Centerbridge and KKR, and subsequently Hospital Topco Limited (re General Healthcare Group)
Davidson Kempner (re Four Seasons Healthcare)
Debenhams investors / Celine Newco
Dia Group (Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentacion)
Edcon
Forever 21
Galapagos Group
Lenders to Bartec (including EQT)
Lenders to Bulsatcom (including Blantyre Capital and Bulgarian Development Bank)
Lenders to Survitec Group
LetterOne (as shareholder of Dia Group)
Mamas & Papas
Mothercare
Paperchase
PizzaExpress
Various stakeholders and potential purchasers (re Thomas Cook)
Work highlights
- Acted for Galapagos BidCo S.à r.l. and certain other Galapagos entities (English, German and New York law advice) on its high-profile, highly contentious restructuring.
- Acted as international lead counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders of Vieo. The restructuring involved a contested, coercive share pledge enforcement by the firm’s clients, holders of Vieo’s €350m senior secured notes.
- Advising the ad hoc committee of the €2.6bn convertible bonds issued by Steinhoff Finance Holding GmbH, as to English, German and New York law.
Latham & Watkins
Benefiting from significant 'strength in depth', as a result of numerous recent strategic hires, including counsel David Wallace from Alcentra and former Mayer Brown International LLP partner Jessica Walker, Latham & Watkins' team is increasingly well-placed to advise a diverse array of stakeholders across a range of mandates. Under the guidance of the 'vastly experienced' Simon J Baskerville, the team has, however, perhaps gained most visibility in the special situations and distressed investing field, for funds and alternative credit providers investing at a par CLO level as well as at a discount on the secondary markets. Sophisticated funds clients benefit from the firm's understanding of the market and its ability to advise on Chapter 11 procedures, by virtue of its US heritage and offices. Highly regarded partner Yen Sum has 'done a fantastic job' since her arrival in July 2018 from Sidley Austin LLP and has leveraged her strong relationships with asset managers, hedge and credit funds to secure prominent positions on numerous high-profile mandates. John Houghton has vast experience in the market for sponsors and creditors and is a key practitioner in a team that also includes Jennifer Brennan, who regularly works alongside Sum on work for funds clients.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
John Houghton; Yen Sum; Helena Potts; James Chesterman; Jennifer Brennan; David Wallace
Testimonials
The firm gives a banking solution with people that understand insolvency and the downside scenario, and think about what can go wrong and how it will play out.
Simon Baskerville is vastly experienced.
Simon Baskerville and Yen Sum stand out based on their considerable experience.
The very hands-on James Chesterman is accessible to clients and always on top of the work his team is performing.
Straight shooter James Chesterman has a ton of experience, which helps him be open minded to new ideas.
Key clients
Goldman Sachs
Hayfin Capital Management
DTEK
Bibby Offshore
Savannah Petroleum
KPMG
M&G Investments
Oaktree Capital Management
KKR
Credit Suisse
Work highlights
- Advising the ad hoc committee in relation to the restructuring of Deoleo S.A., a Spanish headquartered global olive oil production and distribution business, involving a Spanish homologacion process, partial debt for equity swap, new rights issue, and complex intra-group reorganisation with business and asset hive down
- Advising the committee of senior secured creditors in relation to Doncasters Group, the UK-headquartered international manufacturer of high-precision alloy components on its c. £620m debt capital structure
- Advising Britax Römer Group, the UK-headquartered child seat, pushchair and bike seat manufacturer and distributor on its c. $380 million debt and equity restructuring.
Linklaters LLP
Led out of London by the 'very commercial' Rebecca Jarvis and Richard Bussell but also able to tap into the expertise of lawyers spread across the firm's far-reaching international network, Linklaters LLP's eight-partner team excels in handling complex global situations for a varied roster of creditor and debtor-side stakeholders. The team's involvement at the 'forefront of many situations for a large number of years', ensures that it is well-versed in market trends and is therefore able to 'add a lot of value', whether in the context of transactional distressed investment type mandates or more formal insolvency procedures. Well-versed in consensual restructuring/insolvency issues, as well as those involving a more contentious angle, James Douglas is seen with great regularity on many of the firm's most significant mandates, including his work alongside Jarvis for a syndicate of bank lenders in respect of a corporate and financial restructuring of Galapagos. Bruce Bell has a strong reputation for large corporates on major debt restructuring exercises, and has also developed particular expertise in relation to English Schemes of Arrangement, both to implement restructurings and (with Nicholas Le Masurier) as a tool for the management of other liabilities such as credit card protection insurance mis-selling compensation. Sarah Mook has vast experience in both private practice and in-house (including a long stint with Goldman Sachs' EMEA restructuring team) and has an excellent perspective of special situations and distressed transactional work, in particular. Tony Bugg is also recommended and is perhaps best-known for his leading role for the firm in relation to the long-running Lehman Brothers insolvency.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Bruce Bell; Tony Bugg; James Douglas; Richard Hodgson; Nick Le Masurier; Sarah Mook; Matthew Harding; Liam Robinson; Juliana Leite de Barros
Testimonials
‘The firm has been at the forefront of many situations for a large number of years – a lot of that experience remains in the practice today and adds a lot of value to current situations.’
‘The team thinks outside the box to find solutions.’
‘The very commercial Rebecca Jarvis is one of the best insolvency lawyers in the market.’
‘The technically strong, commercial and pragmatic Richard Hodgson provides very balanced advice.’
‘There is a strong firm culture around the team. This resonates with clients.’
Key clients
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
FTI Consulting LLP
Jingye Group Co., Ltd
New Look Retail Group Limited
Secured creditors of Dubai International Capital LLC
Lecta S.A. and its subsidiaries
Syndicate of bank lenders to the Galapagos Group
Seven Energy Group
Lehman Brothers
Intriva Capital Advisors LLP
Work highlights
- Advised the joint administrators of Debenhams Plc in relation to the enforcement sale of its subsidiaries and issues arising in its administration proceedings.
- Advised a syndicate of bank lenders in respect of a corporate and financial restructuring of Galapagos S.A. and its subsidiaries.
- Advised New Look Group in relation to its £1.35bn balance-sheet restructuring.
Milbank
Milbank's 'responsive and commercial' five-partner team excels at representing bondholders as creditors in large cross-border distressed scenarios, where it has the flexibility to implement both European and US processes to best serve the client's needs. The 'superb' Yushan Ng has been pivotal to the firm's increased visibility in the market and has effectively been able to leverage his deep funds ties to ensure that the firm regularly has a seat at the table for bondholder committees on high-profile mandates, including Thomas Cook and Nyrstar. The 'very experienced' Nick Angel co-heads the team alongside Ng and has more of a debtor focus to his practice. Peter Newman joined Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP in February 2020.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
Stand out skills the team possess, include issue spotting, problem solving and big picture thinking.
Yushan Ng is superb.
Nick Angel is very experienced.
Sinjini Saha and Karen McMaster are responsive and provide clear and concise advice, that effectively balances legal risk with commercial objectives.
Key clients
Ad hoc committee of Nyrstar bondholders
Ad Hoc Committee of Thomas Cook Bondholders
Subordinated bondholder committee of Galapagos Heat Exchange Group
Committee of senior old money lenders of Abengoa SA
Committee of bondholders of Youngs Seafood
Committee of lenders to Britax Group
Committee of lenders to Hemisphere Group
Ad hoc group of bondholders to Officine Maccaferri
Work highlights
- Acted for a cross-holder ad-hoc group of noteholders in Nyrstar’s restructuring.
- Acted for a cross-holder ad-hoc group of noteholders in Thomas Cook’s planned restructuring.
- Acted for a group of subordinated bondholders in respect of the very contentious restructuring of German Heat manufacturer, Galapagos Heat Exchange Group.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
Strengthened on the funds side, in particular, by the arrival in November 2019 of Neil Devaney from Akin Gump LLP, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP has an increasingly balanced debtor and creditor facing offering, with expertise running the gamut from distressed investing and non-performing loans mandates through to formal insolvency procedures. Led by Adam Plainer, the team has an 'excellent understanding of the issues in restructuring in complex scenarios involving multiple parties and jurisdictions', where it is aided by its ability to harness the expertise of finance lawyers with knowledge throughout the capital structure (including both UK and US-law governed debt) and the flexibility to execute matters using both UK and US insolvency procedures. As the senior European partner in the restructuring team, Andrew Wilkinson has 'seen it all' and is thereby able to effectively guide both debtors and creditors through the choppy waters of global restructurings, in particular. Mark Lawford has a strong reputation for debtors and creditors across both consensual restructurings, as well as in a contentious scenario. Of counsel Linton Bloomberg provides 'very sensible advice' to myriad stakeholders, including banks, funds, IPs and private equity sponsors. Alexander Wood quit for Shearman & Sterling LLP in summer 2020.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Wilkinson; Neil Devaney; Mark Lawford; Gemma Sage; Clare Cottle; Matt Benson; Linton Bloomberg
Testimonials
The team has an excellent understanding of the issues in restructuring in complex scenarios involving multiple parties and jurisdictions.
Andrew Wilkinson has seen it all.
Linton Bloomberg provides very sensible advice.
Key clients
Syncreon Group Holdings B.V.
Ambac Assurance UK Limited
Stuart Sybersma and David Soden as joint provisional liquidators of Abraaj Investment Management Limited
Doncasters Group Ltd
Ad hoc group of noteholders under the SFA issued by KCA Deutag (including Sculptor Capital LP, Barings LLC, and Avenue Capital Group )
FRP Advisory as the Joint Administrators of Arjowiggins Fine Papers Ltd
Folli Follie
Charterhouse Capital Partners
Lehman Brothers Holding Inc and Lehman Brothers Holdings Scottish LP 3
KPMG re: MF Global UK Limited (in special administration)
KKR
Floatel International Ltd
Franklin Templeton Investments
Work highlights
- Advised syncreon Group Holdings in relation to its cross-border financial restructuring. Notably, the matter was perhaps the first-ever use of an English scheme to restructure debt issued by a US-based global enterprise, reducing syncreon’s funded debt load by approximately $690m and providing it with approximately $260m of new financing.
- Advised Ambac Assurance UK Limited in relation to the restructuring of reinsurance liabilities of Ballantyne Re Plc, through an Irish scheme of arrangement paired with US Chapter 15 recognition
- Acting for the joint provisional liquidators of Abraaj Investment Management Limited, the investment manager of the emerging markets focused (and once the Middle East’s biggest) private equity group.
White & Case LLP
White & Case LLP provides 'commercial and solution-driven advice' to a creditor-focused client base on cross-border restructurings and special situations. Led by the 'user-friendly' Christian Pilkington, the team has built significant traction among funds clients, which appreciate not only the firm's core insolvency/restructuring capabilities but also its ability to draw upon the wider expertise within the capital markets/banking and private equity groups, and its familiarity with UK and New York-law governed debt products. Ian Wallace is 'responsive and calm under pressure', and in addition to his work for the firm's bedrock of sophisticated investor clients, is also noted for his company side expertise, particularly in the context of energy-related emerging markets mandates. Ben Davies has an 'incredible breadth of knowledge across restructuring and formal insolvencies' and is a key member of a team that also includes senior associate Morvyn Radlow .
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
White & Case operates a seamless, cross-border restructuring practice – which is unique in the market. The White & Case team seems to genuinely operate as one group, regardless of jurisdiction, allowing them to deliver more creative solutions to their international clients.
As experts in their field, the team are able to identify issues quickly and provide commercially focused, solution-driven advice.
The highly commercial and user-friendly Christian Pilkington is without a doubt one of the leading restructuring lawyers in the European market, with an enormous grasp of all aspects of European restructuring, in particular Schemes of Arrangement.
Responsive and calm under pressure, Ian Wallace quickly cuts to the issues and provide commercially focused advice.
Key clients
Anchorage
GSO Capital Partners
Centerbridge
York Capital
Oak Hill Advisors
CVC Credit Partners
Bybrook Capital
Strategic Value Partners
Deutsche Bank Distressed Products Group
Cross Ocean Partners
VR Capital
Nordea
Ernst & Young
Work highlights
- Advised an ad-hoc group of noteholders in relation the comprehensive multimillion-dollar restructuring of Seven Energy.
- Advising an ad-hoc group of noteholders in relation to the financial restructuring of the Senvion Group.
- Acting for Utico and Emirates NBD Capital in connection with the restructuring of certain Singapore entities within the Hyflux Group via a scheme of arrangement.
Ashurst
Benefiting from 'great in-depth knowledge of insolvency law and practice', Ashurst's five-partner team provides 'sensible and pragmatic advice' to a balanced roster of stakeholders, including distressed investment funds, debtors, senior lenders, junior lenders, bondholders and IPs. 'Highly experienced and unflappable' team head Giles Boothman is well-versed across a range of strategies for funds looking to realise value in a distressed situation, particularly in relation to loan-to-own scenarios. Boothman has also recently handled numerous high-profile Official Receiver mandates, including in relation to Thomas Cook's high-profile liquidation and British Steel's sale to Chinese steelmaker, Jingye Group. Praised for her ability to 'explain complex concepts', Olga Galazoula has a flourishing reputation in the market and, as well as her role alongside Boothman in the aforementioned Thomas Cook mandate, also has niche expertise advising investors seeking to acquire Greek non-performing loan portfolios. In addition to more conventional insolvency and restructuring work, the 'exceptional' Drew Sainsbury has developed a niche in relation to financial services-related insolvencies.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Nigel Ward; Olga Galazoula; Lynn Dunne; Ru-Woei Foong; Drew Sainsbury; Maria Staiano-Kolaitis; Richard Bulmore
Testimonials
The team is responsive, diligent, efficient and has a great in depth knowledge of insolvency law and practice.
The lawyers have an ability to think outside the box and deliver novel solutions.
Their breadth and depth of knowledge makes them stand out, in that they are able to deal with all technical issues in an efficient and commercial way. They are market leaders in insolvency in the financial services sector.
The team is easy to work with and provides sensible, pragmatic advice in stressful and challenging situations. The lawyers are highly responsive and provide a good balance between the strict legal position and the reality of the company’s specific fact pattern.
Giles Boothman is highly experienced and apparently unflappable. Invaluable in a crisis and great to work with.
Olga Galazoula is able to communicate complex technical issues to the board in a comprehensible way.
Drew Sainsbury is exceptional.
Key clients
Elliot Capital
Apollo
HM Government
Cerberus
Kildare
Emergevest
David Kempner
Fortress
Centerbridge
Oaktree Capital
Work highlights
- Advised the Official Receiver and Special Managers in the compulsory winding-up of 26 companies core to the Thomas Cook Group.
- Advised HM Government on British Steel Limited, the second-largest steelmaker in the UK, in particular on its short term bridge funding arrangement, the entry of British Steel into an insolvency process and on the sale by the Official Receiver of the business and assets of British Steel Limited (in liquidation) to Jingye, the Chinese conglomerate.
- Advised the board of directors of Survitec Acquisition Company Limited and its directors on various matters including their duties and wrongful trading obligations during discussions with the company’s lenders for a comprehensive recapitalisation of the Survitec Group.
Hogan Lovells International LLP
Under the leadership of the 'superb' Tom Astle, Hogan Lovells International LLP has successfully broadened the scope of its creditor focused client base to include not only the clearing banks, which were the original lifeblood of the practice, but also the debt and hedge funds that are increasingly taking the lead in many of the larger transactions in the market. Praised for his 'commerciality and business sensibilities', Astle has excellent credentials for distressed investment and special situations work and is effectively supported in this area of the practice by Alex Kay, who is appreciated, in particular for his 'understanding of the legal opportunities and realities in the emerging markets jurisdictions'. Deborah Gregory and Stephen Foster remain the engine room of the firm's more traditional bank-led work, while Joe Bannister is the go-to practitioner for more formal insolvency work, including mandates with an Asian nexus.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Joe Bannister; Stephen Foster; Deborah Gregory; Alex Kay; James Maltby
Testimonials
The team is very capable from their understanding of the legal opportunities and realities in the emerging markets jurisdictions and has a keen eye on the commercial realities of maximizing recovery.
Tom Astle is superb.
Alex Kay is my go to guy in Ukraine; sure he is good in other countries as well but that has been my focus in recent years.
Key clients
Knighthead Capital Management
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Santander
HPS
Ataer Holding AS
The big four accountancy firms (KPMG, Deloitte, EY and PwC)
Argentem Creek
Gramercy
Work highlights
- Advising group of surety providers comprising 8 international institutions with €400m exposure on prospective recapitalisation of European tour operator, Thomas Cook.
- Advising a material creditor in the ongoing restructuring of Ukrainian steel pipe producer, Interpipe.
- Advising Ataer Holding AS, the holding company for the Turkish army pension fund, in its proposal to acquire the business, assets and undertaking of British Steel Limited in the UK, Netherlands and France .
Slaughter and May
Praised for its 'collaborative approach', in part engendered by the firm's generalist mindset, the 'immensely able' four-partner team at Slaughter and May provides reliably consistent and commercial advice to boards of directors and large corporates experiencing financial distress. Praised for his ability to remain 'calm, measured and considered, even in the most tense, complex and emotional restructuring and insolvency situations', Ian Johnson embodies the firm's "house style", and addresses complex matters with dignity and calm resolve. Praised for his 'excellent deal management skills', Johnson has built a name for himself on behalf of Plcs and boards of directors (as exemplified by his recent high-profile work for Interserve and Thomas Cook on their high-profile troubles). The 'very smart' Tom Vickers is also a key member of the team and regularly acts alongside Johnson on many of the firm's highest-profile deals, including in relation to financial services insolvencies - another niche specialism of the group.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
Slaughter & May collaborates well across their firm and has a “house-style” that I trust but also I know they will approach matters with dignity and they won’t be too aggressive.
The R&I team works very effectively with their colleagues in other practice areas to provide a near seamless service.
Ian Johnson never ceases to amaze me at how calm, measured and considered he is even in the most tense, complex and emotional restructuring and insolvency situations. He is a great influencer and mediator with people of all backgrounds.
Ian Johnson : quiet but very effective. Clever, patient and very good deal-management skills. Has a pleasant manner, which endears him to clients and makes them trust him. Technically very strong too.
Edward Couzens is technically sound and provides great client management.
Key clients
Interserve Plc
Ernst & Young
AlixPartners
Thomas Cook Group and its Directors
Ferrovial S.A.
Grant Thornton
Arcadia Landlord Steering Group
Honeycomb Investment Trust Plc (a Pollen Street Capital vehicle)
FRP Advisory LLP
Tiger Resources Limited
Seadrill Limited
Premier Oil
Credit Suisse
Work highlights
- Advised Interserve Plc on the development and implementation of its deleveraging plan (via a pre-packaged administration sale), which involved a placing and open offer of new shares, a reduction of the group’s existing debt by approximately £485m, and the provision of additional liquidity to the group through a £110m new debt facility.
- Advised the board of Thomas Cook Group Plc on the group’s proposed recapitalisation plan and its ultimate entry into liquidation. Subsequently, the firm advised the former directors regarding the BEIS Select Committee inquiry into the group’s liquidation.
- Advised an informal steering committee of landlords regarding the use of company voluntary arrangements in the restructuring of the Arcadia group. This was the first time that landlords coordinated to negotiate the terms of a CVA, and it resulted in alterations to many of the terms of both the CVAs and the wider restructuring, producing a fairer outcome for all landlords and other stakeholders.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Benefiting from an 'innate ability to take control and get a job done', Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP provides 'cost-effective and workable solutions' to a creditor-focused client base that includes UK clearing banks and an increasing number of US entities (as a result of the firm's merger in 2018). The team is praised for its 'collaborative approach' and this regularly manifests itself in relation to distressed real estate-related situations, where it is able to draw on the expertise of lawyers within the broader commercial property group. 'Calm and personable' team head Ben Jones is a ‘first-rate restructuring lawyer’ and is recognised as a 'really nice person to work with in challenging environments'. Ian Benjamin is also recommended and has a versatile offering for a varied array of stakeholders, including distressed investors.
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Testimonials
The firm has an extremely strong restructuring and insolvency team which is adept at dealing with a wide range of financially distressed situations – for lenders, borrowers, investors and management teams. They are extremely commercial and well-connected and provide a high-quality service on a sensibly priced basis.
When the pressure is on in a difficult transaction, this team has an innate ability to take control and get a job done because of their practical experience and demeanor.
The team has a wide depth of technical knowledge but crucially practical experience which has been brought to bear in engineering solutions to complex problems on the transaction they supported me on.
The restructuring group has an excellent grasp of UK and global issues and a superior understanding of financial services business. Therefore they are positioned to deal with not just pure bankruptcy and restructuring issues, but to also be a real asset in all the related litigation which requires a good understanding of sales and trading as well as financial services generally.
Ben Jones is very sharp and a delight to work with; he is also incredibly responsive.
Ben Jones is very good and a really nice person to work with in challenging environments.
Marc Trottier is a first-class lawyer, with excellent attention to detail, combined with shrewd commercial acumen to help find the best and most pragmatic solution in circumstances which are invariably complicated.
The responsive Simon Clarke has superb technical expertise.
Key clients
Alvarez & Marsal
Lloyds Bank plc
HSBC
Homes England (formerly known as Homes and Communities Agency)
Deloitte
KPMG
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Ernst & Young
MF Global Holdings
FRP Advisory LLP
Work highlights
- Advised Flybe, the UK’s largest regional airline, on its rescue in 2019.
- Advised long-standing client TMF on options under cross-border insolvency law to maximise values for the creditors under the sales process. TMF is the indenture trustee for senior notes with a claim of approx $300m issued by the China Fishery Group, which filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2016 with debts of more than $1.5bn.
- Advised CBRE LS as special servicer in relation to the Debussy securitisation (Debussy DTC Plc), a securitisation of a loan secured by 30 mega retail stores and one distribution centre operated by Toys “R” Us (TRU) in secondary and tertiary markets. The team acted in relation to the settlement of a dispute between the parties as a result of LTV covenant issues following the administration and subsequent liquidation of TRU.
Dentons
The 'highly experienced' team at Dentons 'combines intellect with commerciality', and is 'focused on getting the job done and achieving the best result for the client', across a wide spectrum of contentious and non-contentious mandates. The firm is well connected to numerous banking clients and IPs, ensuring that it handles a considerable volume of deals in the domestic mid-market. Led by the 'very experienced' Neil Griffiths, the team is perhaps best-known for its formal insolvency work and any commercial disputes (including fraud and asset tracing) that may subsequently arise. The 'effective and efficient' Tessa Blank is a 'force of nature' and is particularly recommended for contentious matters. Counsel Luci Mitchell-Fry is also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Ian Fox; Catherine Astruc; Richard Pallot-Cook; Celia Hayward; Tessa Blank; Luci Mitchell-Fry; Helen Anderson; Robert Spedding; Mark Price; Jonathan Sears
Testimonials
The highly experienced team is focused on getting the job done and getting the best result for the client.
The team is engaging to work with, understands the issues faced and provides suitably tailored advice.
A great set of intelligent and motivated partners, who combine intellect with commerciality.
The team is exceptional. They are very well-organised, thorough and you feel part of a team when (as external counsel) you work with them. The partners have an encyclopedic knowledge of their field.
Neil Griffiths is a very experienced practitioner, with strong client relation skills.
Ian Fox is particularly smart, both in terms of IQ and also emotional intelligence. He can read the clients needs and wants, and deliver.
Tessa Blank is a force of nature. She is effective and efficient and never loses sight of what needs to be done.
Jonathan Sears is one of the most intellectually engaged associates I have worked with.
Key clients
Sainsbury’s
Knight Frank
Ernst & Young
KPMG
PricewaterhouseCoopers
BDO
FRP Advisory
Grant Thornton
Jackie Stephenson
John Lewis
Work highlights
- Acting for a syndicate of banks in relation to a major infrastructure restructuring, including negotiating a settlement amongst all key stakeholder groups including public and private entities to protect senior creditor interests and keep the project viable.
- Advised shareholders of various train operating companies on matters relating to the potential termination of a rail franchise, with particular emphasis on achieving a solvent outcome.
- Acted in a high-profile piece of litigation (the sub-debt litigation) following the collapse of Lehman Brothers in relation to a directions application by the administrators of LBHI2 estate.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
The 'highly professional' team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is well-equipped to handle big-ticket debtor/IP mandates (where it can also draw upon the expertise within complementary groups including corporate and employment), and creditor work for lenders, particularly within sector areas of strength for the firm as a whole, such as energy, infrastructure and travel. Leveraging the firm's overarching litigation credentials, the team is perhaps best known for its expertise handling contentious insolvency work, an area where it 'stands out as having brilliant legal strategists who are not afraid to have an opinion and run with it'. 'Energetic and hugely creative' litigator John Whiteoak heads the team and alongside the 'unflappable and hugely experienced' Kevin Pullen, continues to represent the administrators in the long-running Nortel insolvency.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Kevin Pullen; Natasha Johnson; John Chetwood; Andrew Cooke; Stephen Conyers
Testimonials
The team is highly professional but able to respond to clients needs by giving clear advice and flexing its approach to the specific client.
The firm stands out as having brilliant legal strategists who are not afraid to have an opinion and run with it. Experience shows they are almost always correct.
Kevin Pullen: unflappable, hugely experienced, excellent strategically.
John Whiteoak: high energy, would want him involved in any fraud or insolvency matter I litigate in England. Hugely creative, a great lawyer; enjoys what he does, and this shines through.
Key clients
Joint administrators of Nortel Networks UK Limited (NNUK) and 18 other Nortel Companies, Ernst & Young LLP
Birmingham Highways Limited (BHL)
Trustees of the Bristow Staff Pension Scheme.
Mr Neşet Koçkar (as equity investor in Thomas Cook) and his travel company Anex Tour (in relation to its purchase of Thomas Cook’s Russian and German businesses)
Non-executive directors of Carillion
Virgin Atlantic
TXU Europe Group Plc (in liquidation) and TXU UK Limited (in administration)
General Mills UK
Deutsche Pfandbriefbank
Mike Jervis and Zelf Hussain of PwC as liquidators of MP & Silva Limited
Hanover Investors in the context of the hostile takeover of Brady Plc
ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Jubail Company L.L.C.
Work highlights
- Continuing to advise IPs at Ernst & Young in their role as administrators to Nortel Networks’ EMEA entities.
- Advising Virgin Atlantic on its interests in the Flybe Group.
- Advising in connection with the restructuring of the £200m PFI contract for the building and maintenance of the road system in Birmingham.
Jones Day
With a significant offering in London and also able to effectively mobilise resources across its wide spread of international offices (including in the US, Europe and Asia), Jones Day is well-positioned to advise key debtor and creditor-side stakeholders on both domestic and cross-border mandates. This was recently demonstrated by the London team's involvement, alongside practitioners from 15 other offices, in representing an ad-hoc group of senior lenders on the $1bn restructuring of the Syncreon group, which was implemented using an English Scheme of Arrangement. Contentious insolvency work remains a particular strength of the firm, an area in which 'very impressive' team head Ben Larkin is recommended.
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Testimonials
The team is particularly good at contentious insolvency.
The very impressive Ben Larkin and Sion Richards are excellent. I have done several cases with both of them and was consistently impressed by how efficiently they extracted settlements from the other side!
Key clients
Nicholas Guy Edwards and Philip Stephen Bowers of Deloitte LLP as Joint Liquidators of Angel Group Limited & Others
Geoff Rowley and Tony Wright of FRP Advisory LLP as Joint Administrators and subsequently as Joint Liquidators of BHS Limited
Andrew J. Johnson and Chad Griffin of FTI Consulting LLP as fixed charge receivers of the share capital in the BMI Healthcare group
British Land
Triton Investment Management Limited
Octopus Capital & Fern Trading
Abdulhameed Dhia Jafar
Brian Glasgow in his capacity as Bankruptcy Trustee of Harlequin Property (SVG) Limited
AG Retail Cards Limited t/a Clintons
Work highlights
- Advised Triton on the $1bn restructuring of German industrial group Galapagos group.
- Acted for an ad hoc group of senior lenders comprising over ten US and UK hedge funds on the $1bn restructuring of the Syncreon group, which was implemented using an English Scheme of Arrangement.
- Acting for the insolvency officeholders of UK high street retailer, British Homes Stores, following the company’s high-profile collapse in 2016.
Mayer Brown International LLP
Praised for its ability to 'navigate complex legal situations in a commercial manner', the six-partner team at Mayer Brown International LLP is increasingly well-placed to handle complex, multi-stakeholder restructurings/insolvencies, as a result of a number of recent astute hires in London and its ability to leverage particularly strong US and Asian international resources. The 'unflappable, approachable and determined' Devi Shah has niche expertise handing pensions-related restructuring matters and co-heads the team alongside the 'hugely experienced' Michael Fiddy and Amy Jacks, who have more of a conventional restructuring/insolvency offering on behalf of IPs, banks and funds. The team was strengthened in 2020 with the hire of corporate lending & restructuring partner Trevor Borthwick from Allen & Overy LLP , as well as the arrival of Barry Cosgrave from K&L Gates LLP, where he was EMEA practice coordinator for the restructuring and insolvency group. Partner Jessica Walker left for Latham & Watkins .
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Testimonials
A truly amazing restructuring and insolvency team that is very knowledgeable with the capabilities to manage complex situations.
The team has a reputation as leaders in the field of restructuring across a number of sectors. Their talent lies in being able to navigate complex legal situations in a commercial manner and to translate law into a user-friendly business context.
Michael Fiddy is hugely experienced, both inside and outside the law.
Amy Jacks has an incredibly strong work ethic and an ability to never lose sight of the big picture and required direction of travel due to distraction over the details.
Devi Shah has deep restructuring and financial services sector knowledge. She is very good to work with, showing excellent client relationship skills.
Devi Shah is unflappable, approachable and determined.
Alexandra Wood is very good.
Key clients
HSBC
BDO
Ernst & Young
LBO France
Santander (UK) Group Pension Scheme
Alvarez & Marsal Europe
Pension Protection Fund
Debenhams Pension Schemes
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Moorfields
Begbies Traynor
Mothercare Pension Schemes
Work highlights
- Advising Alvarez & Marsal, as the liquidators of Joannou & Paraskevaides (Overseas), a construction company operating in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa.
- Acting for PwC as administrators of Secure Trading (t/a Acquiring.com), the leading UK-based provider of omni-channel payment processing and business solutions in Europe and North America.
- Representing the staff and executive scheme pension trustees of the Debenhams Pension Schemes.
Paul Hastings LLP
Paul Hastings LLP's restructuring offering in London may be smaller than some of its rivals but the team works effectively alongside practitioners from complementary firmwide practice groups - including corporate, banking, real estate and structured finance - and is consequently able to advise debtors and creditors on both domestic and cross-border formal insolvency mandates, as well as matters involving a more transactional approach. 'A real name in the market', team head David Ereira takes the lead on the most significant mandates handled by the office, including work on behalf of funds, corporates and IPs, in both domestic and cross-border contexts. During 2020, the team was boosted by the arrivals of restructuring and finance specialists Mei Lian and Peter Hayes from Shearman & Sterling LLP.
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Testimonials
‘Exceptional restructuring, insolvency and finance practice. Very much in front of the market on technology and implementation.’
‘Razor sharp team, go-to choice for boards and creditor groups facing into complex corporate finance situations. Robust advisers who apply themselves situations with energy and impact to get the best for their clients.’
‘David Ereira is a real name in the market.’
‘Crispin Daly is well versed in complex and international insolvency issues.’
‘Crispin Daly has great intellect, exceptional attention to detail and wonderful client skills. He really is one to watch. A future star, if not already one!’
Key clients
Government of Jamaica
Global Cloud Exchange
Abraaj
EA Partners
QuickQuid
Pizza Express
Park First
Work highlights
- Advising the founder and principal of Abraaj, formerly the largest emerging market private equity fund based in the Middle East with AUM in excess of $15bn, in constructing and implementing a global settlement on the insolvencies of Abraaj Holdings and Abraaj Investment Management Limited.
- Advising QuickQuid, formerly one of the UK’s biggest payday lenders, and its parent company Enova, on FCA consumer redress, restructuring, and insolvency issues.
- Advising the Government of Jamaica in connection with its joint venture in Jamalco, the largest and most important industrial business in Jamaica
Proskauer Rose LLP
Proskauer Rose LLP's London team 'combines all the advantages of a boutique (hands-on, every case matters attitude) with those of a major US firm'. The wider firm's leading position in the credit fund space is also beginning to filter through to the restructuring group.
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A very thorough, approachable, and commercial team.’
‘The firm has a mighty restructuring outfit that belies the relatively small size of the team. Their main strength is that they combine all the advantages of a boutique (hands-on, every case matters attitude) with all the advantages of a major US firm.’
‘They really understand the market and client needs, and are equally well equipped to deal with borrowers, lenders, and insolvency practitioners.’
‘Elisabeth Baltay is an excellent lawyer. She really goes the extra step for the clients. She knows her stuff and really cares!’
Key clients
BDO
Cheyne Capital
Contrarian Capital
David Rubin & Partners
EY
GLAS
HSBC
Itau
Lion Capital
Reichmuth
Westinghouse
ZCP
PennantPark
Intermediate Capital Group
National Basketball Association
National Football League
Calunius
Work highlights
- Acted for GLAS, in its role as replacement security agent, in relation to the rectification appeal regarding the Four Seasons Hotel Group before the Court of Appeal.
- Represented a large US- and UK-based direct lending fund in connection with the restructuring of its $80m financing of a records storage business.
- Advised a large, pan-European debt fund which held both significant equity and debt interests, in connection with the restructuring of a UK casual dining chain.
CMS
CMS handles a range of formal insolvency and restructuring work for a varied array of stakeholders, including banks, funds, IPs, corporates and directors. Rita Lowe is co-head of the finance team and as part of her broad-ranging restructuring expertise has developed a strong track record advising on law firm administrations. Other sector strengths include energy and real estate.
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DLA Piper
DLA Piper remains a very credible player for domestic mid-market work and added both David Manson from Paul Hastings LLP and James Davison from Addleshaw Goddard in 2020 in a bid to rebuild the team following some departures in 2019. The hires add firepower to a sizeable national team operating out of London and throughout the regions. The 'very commercial and user-friendly' Chris Parker heads up a London practice that has 'deep knowledge and expertise around formal insolvency procedures', as well as the ability to represent stakeholders in cross-border mandates by dint of the firm's extensive international network. A varied client roster includes banks, funds and IPs, ensuring the firm has a balanced perspective across the restructuring/insolvency process.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
David Ampaw; David Manson; Jonathan Richards; Neil Riley; Tim Dawson; Rowan Aspinwall; Peter Manley; Jared Green; James Davison
Testimonials
Good solid pragmatic advice, balanced with the right level of sophistication and nuance.
Exceptionally knowledgeable in their field with a clearly determination to deliver for their client.
The team displays deep expert knowledge, particularly around formal insolvency.
Chris Parker is very commercial and user-friendly: he is an experienced leader on complex and substantial cross-border mandates.
Jonathan Richards is very calm and effective; his client handling skills are excellent.
Jonathan Richards has an incredible way of bringing calm to a situation and reducing complex matters to simple understandable language.
Tim Dawson is an extremely effective and commercial lawyer.
Key clients
Alchemy Partners LLP
Alvarez & Marsal
Cheyne Capital
Deloitte
EY
FTI Consulting
Hilco Capital
HSBC
KPMG
PwC
Work highlights
- Advising on some of the complex structure and arrangements put in place within the Abraaj group, restructuring and insolvency options, the appointment of replacement fund managers, litigation and liquidation strategy in relation to each of the funds and the impact of the parent company liquidations on the operation of the underlying funds.
- Advising Bristow Group on contingency planning across multiple jurisdictions with respect to the restructuring of the US listed parent company and the group.
Macfarlanes LLP
Led by the 'highly impressive' Jat Bains for restructuring and the 'technically very strong' Simon Beale on the insolvency front, Macfarlanes LLP's 'smart and commercial' team is well hedged across the range of formal insolvency procedures, as well as distressed investment-related work. On the creditor front, the firm's growing presence at the front end of mid-market credit fund financings has led to a significant deal flow for the restructuring team and is an added source of work alongside the firm's steady stream of mandates for IPs and turnaround investors. Peter Baldwin's arrival in June 2019 from Ropes & Gray LLP has further enhanced the firm's distressed investment capability, given his expertise in the special situations field.
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Testimonials
Commercial lawyers focused on achieving the best outcome for their clients.
The service and responsiveness of the whole team, as well as the quality of their advice, is exemplary. They have gone above and beyond to be there whenever we have needed them.
Jat Bains’ approach is refreshing, he takes a commercial and pragmatic stance and is always focused on the right outcome for his clients.
Jat Bains: user friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, always makes himself available.
Paul Keddie provides clear and well thought through advice with a real focus on commercial outcomes.
Key clients
Alchemy Special Opportunities LLP
Better Capital LLP
FRP Advisory LLP
Oak Hill Advisors
OpCapita
Work highlights
- Acting for BDO on the multibillion-dollar administration of BSG Resources.
- Acting for Castle Trust in relation to its schemes of arrangement in connection with its conversion to a bank.
- Acting for certain subsidiaries of Four Seasons Health Care in relation to its ongoing £650m restructuring
Pinsent Masons LLP
Drawing on strong relationships with clearing banks and IPs, Pinsent Masons LLP is seen with great regularity on mid to upper-mid market UK-based insolvencies across a range of sectors, including retail, construction and healthcare. The 'technically excellent and commercially astute' Steve Cottee is appreciated by private equity fund clients for his ability to 'put himself in the mindset of an investor'. Cottee also spearheads the firm's market-leading distressed professional services offering, and has advised on many major law firm administrations, including his recent work on the pre-pack administration and sale of Ince & Co. Nick Pike heads the team.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Steven Cottee; Tom Withyman; Richard Williams; Nick Gavin-Brown; Gemma Kaplan
Testimonials
The responsive team provides value-for-money, technical and highly commercial advice.
Overall a very strong team which has depth in numbers and the ability to advise across a wide range of areas.
Gemma Kaplan and Nick Pike are high-quality advisors, who are quick to respond and provide very clear and concise advice.
Steven Cottee is arguably the leading restructuring partner in the UK. He is technically excellent, highly commercial and when on a deal becomes not just an advisor but a key member of the deal team and puts himself in the mindset of an investor.
The exceptional Steven Cottee is commercial and sensible in his approach.
Tom Withyman and Nick Gavin-Brown were both very calm in quite a challenging environment, gave good advice and always returned important calls promptly.
Key clients
All UK clearing banks except the Bank of England
PwC
Deloitte
KPMG
EY
BDO
Grant Thornton
Alvarez and Marsal
EDF
RSM
Work highlights
- Acting for the Joint Administrators of Amicus Finance Plc on realising the substantial loan portfolio within the complex trust and securitisation structure.
- Acting for RSM as administrator in relation to the failure of one of the UK’s largest peer to peer lenders, Lendy Limited.
- Acting for the administrators of Ince & Co International LLP in relation to the pre-packaged administration sale of the business and assets of Ince & Co to Gordon Dadds Plc.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Co-headed by Sarah Coucher and James Stonebridge, the 'knowledgeable' nine-partner team at Norton Rose Fulbright provides 'thorough and pragmatic advice' to lenders, IPs, investors, corporates and directors across a wide range of contentious and non-contentious insolvency/restructuring issues. The team is particularly effective at handling cross-border mandates within the transport and energy sectors, where it is able to leverage the knowledge of industry experts from across complementary practice areas, including finance and corporate. It also benefits from an extensive international network. The 'thoughtful and commercial' Mark Craggs has a flourishing reputation in relation to cross-border mandates, including the consideration of EU insolvency law and the laws of other jurisdictions. The team was strengthened in February 2020 by the arrival of Alison Goldthorp from Addleshaw Goddard.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Mark Craggs; Radford Goodman; Hamish Anderson; Alison Goldthorp; Matthew Thorn; Simon Jerrum
Testimonials
The team is thorough and provides pragmatic advice which cuts through the legalease.
Detailed knowledge and very practical advice without overlooking attention to the small, but nevertheless important, points. They created an environment in which our boards across the various jurisdictions could make decisions and take actions with confidence.
Mark Craggs has a thoughtful and commercial approach. He is easy to work with and understands our business context and pressure points. This sense of pragmatism comes through into his advice.
Mark Craggs provides timely, client-focused insolvency related advice on complex issues.
Mark Craggs is always approachable and helpful in providing effective and prompt support.
Key clients
The Bank of New York Mellon
Wells Fargo
DIF Infra 4 Limited
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Credit Suisse
RBS
Mercuria Energy
Citibank
Concordia Maritime
E&Y
HSBC
Standard Chartered Bank
Standard Bank
Societe Generale
First Rand Bank
MUFG
Coca-Cola
DNB Bank
Bank Leumi
Commerzbank
Work highlights
- Advised the indenture trustee on the two schemes of arrangement as part of the successful restructuring of the Syncreon Group and its $1.1bn debt.
- Advised DIF Infra 4 Limited, the remaining shareholder of Inspiredspaces Bundle 5 (Ireland) Limited with the rescue restructuring and financing of completion works in relation to the Irish Schools Bundle 5 PPP project.
- Advised the asset based lenders on the $1.2bn restructuring of the Doncaster Group, a manufacturing group based in the UK, the US and Germany.
Simmons & Simmons
Able to draw on the firm's deep and longstanding strength within the asset management sector, Simmons & Simmons is particularly well-placed to advise funds/investors in restructuring and special situation scenarios. Ross Miller, who formerly worked in-house within Deutsche Bank's distressed products business, has an excellent perspective on behalf of investors seeking to realise value through distressed debt trading strategies. Peter Manning is also recommended.
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Work highlights
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
Led by Dominic McCahill , Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP's small two-partner team is traditionally best-known for its aptitude on the debtor front, where, as well as handling standalone mandates, it is also frequently brought in to advise on the UK/European aspects of major corporate mandates generated from the US. The arrival in February 2020 of US-qualified partner Peter Newman from Milbank enhances the firm's bandwidth, in light of his strong hedge fund and private equity sponsor relationships and experience in the distressed investment space.
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Key clients
British Steel Holdings Limited
Vantage Drilling Company (in liquidation)
Payoneer Inc.
Regiment Capital Ltd.
Noble Corporation
Toshiba Corporation
Sequana S.A.
Work highlights
- Invited by sponsor, Greybull Capital, to advise BSHL, which is the direct owner of British Steel Limited, as it sought to navigate the combination of a depressed steel market plus the weight of uncertainty caused by Brexit.
- Advising the liquidators of Vantage Drilling Company on dealing with the consequences of the group’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganisation.
- Represent Payoneer in its claims against Choice Bank Limited (in liquidation) in Belize.
Stephenson Harwood
The 'solid and experienced' three-partner team at Stephenson Harwood provides 'practical, commercial and technically astute advice' to IPs, funds and corporates, across a range of formal insolvency and corporate restructuring mandates. Able to draw from the firm's strong overarching commercial litigation credentials, the team is particularly accomplished at handling contentious insolvency matters, often with an international aspect (where it acts on its own as well as in collaboration with the firm's growing Hong Kong and Singapore teams). Praised for her 'calm and measured approach', team head Susan Moore has an 'excellent understanding of her clients' needs', and has developed a particularly strong reputation in relation to cross-border matters.
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Testimonials
A solid and experienced restructuring and insolvency practice that is supported by a market-leading litigation offering for contentious insolvency matters.
The team has a very client-friendly approach, combined with good technical know how.
Susan Moore has an excellent understanding of her clients’ needs and is commercial and practical in her advice and support.
Susan Moore is one of the leading practitioners in the area, with great experience and a calm, and measured approach, whilst always looking for the best solution for the client.
Julian Cahn is bright, hard working and tenacious.
Paul Hollands gets down into the weeds with the client. Never forgets a relevant fact!
Key clients
Deloitte LLP
KPMG LLP and KPMG BVI
BDO LLP
AlixPartners
Interpipe Limited
FTI Consulting
Moore Kingston Smith
Moorfields
David Rubin & Partners
RSM
Work highlights
- Advising the Joint Administrators of Toys “R” Us on litigation concerning the validity of certain security arrangements entered into by the UK company prior to its administration and in connection with DIP funding arrangements for the wider US Chapter 11 proceedings
- Advising the liquidator of Noble Group Limited, which was placed in liquidation following the sanctioning of schemes of arrangement to facilitate the completion of its restructuring.
- Advising the joint receivers over the shares and assets of Blackpool Football Club (Properties) Limited, including the shares of Blackpool Football Club.
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP's two-partner team punches above its weight and is able to effectively leverage the firm's private equity prowess to secure work relating to their distressed investments, as well as on behalf of investee companies experiencing financial distress. Led by Edward Smith , much of the firm's recent work has been in the beleaguered retail/casual dining space and the firm has developed a strong reputation in relation to the implementation of CVAs in the sector. Peter Hughes is the other partner in the team and has niche expertise advising pension scheme trustees on restructuring work.
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Key clients
The supervisors of the Debenhams CVA
The Administrators of Laura Ashley
Trustees of the Arcadia Pension Schemes
Boparan Restaurant Group
Azzurri Group
Ann Summers
MySale Group plc
Marwyn Value Investors
The Administrators of Toys R Us
Carpetright plc
Work highlights
- Advised PwC, as administrators of noted homeware and fashion retailer Laura Ashley, on the sale of its brand to US restructuring and investment firm Gordon Brothers.
- Advised KPMG as the supervisors of the Debenhams CVA through its proposal, challenge in the High Court and implementation.
- Advised the Trustees of the Arcadia Pension Schemes on funding and security arrangements for the pension schemes, a central component of Arcadia’s CVAs.
Addleshaw Goddard
The arrival of Paul Fleming from Dechert LLP in November 2019 is undoubtedly a statement of intent from Addleshaw Goddard, in light of his cross-border special situations expertise. However, the team remains focused on its traditional mid-market IP and bank-led restructuring work, with the 'commercially focused group' benefitting from a core offering in London - where the 'extremely effective' Fraser Ritson is a key practitioner - as well as across its regional offices, including Manchester. Alison Goldthorp joined Norton Rose Fulbright in February 2020.
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Testimonials
The firm has a strong, commercially focused group of lawyers with strength in depth across the UK. They have sufficient resources to deal with extremely large and complex cases, whilst partners also remain involved and accessible on smaller matters of importance to their clients.
Fraser Ritson and Monica Duggal are an extremely effective team in dealing with complex and contentious matters in a commercial manner whilst protecting their client’s position.
Key clients
Deloitte as Administrators of Supercuts and Regis UK
HSBC Bank
PWC
Grant Thornton
Trustee in Bankruptcy of Sean Dunne
HSBC & RBS
BDO
RSM
Work highlights
- Advised Deloitte as administrators of Regis UK, successfully assisting to save over 1000 jobs and granted licenses in respect of over 100 premises albeit the sale process continues to work through with deferred consideration payable.
- Advising PwC as administrators of Lehman Brothers Limited in relation to “the waterfall litigation”, including the effect of subordination rights upon regulatory debt and the extent to which sums of up to £700m are paid between estates.
- Advising HSBC Bank as lender to the casual dining chain “Jamie’s Italian Limited” and its associated and connected companies.
Bird & Bird LLP
Under the leadership of the 'very personable and knowledgeable' Joss Hargrave , Bird & Bird LLP's team excels in providing 'proactive and commercial' partner-led advice for IPs, investors and debtors across a range of restructuring and formal insolvency procedures. The team is particularly adept at handling matters within heavily regulated sectors, including aviation and financial services.
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Testimonials
The team is proactive, technically knowledgeable and has a commercial mind-set.
The very personable Joss Hargrave has good technical knowledge.
Joss Hargrave is always available 24/7, and we have found Joss to have that enviable skill of being able to translate a sticky and/or complex situation into good old plain English.
Joss Hargrave and Claire Barker are great and in addition to their detailed knowledge and experience, are also very easy to work with.
Key clients
Mothercare Plc
Fosun Tourism and Culture Group
Macquarie Bank
Starling Bank
Punjab National Bank
Duff & Phelps
Grant Thornton UK LLP
Deloitte
RSM
ReSolve Partners
Opus Restructuring LLP
Ingenious
Qila
Hermes Renewables
Tom Tom
Kreos
BDO
Horn Holdings
London Luton Airport
Work highlights
- Advised Mothercare Plc and Mothercare Global Brands Limited in relation to a group restructuring that ultimately resulted in the placing of its UK trading subsidiary, Mothercare UK Limited, into administration and the sale of its profitable franchising business to a new Mothercare entity.
- Advised Fosun Tourism and Culture Group, the world’s leading leisure-focused integrated tourism group, on its purchase of the Thomas Cook brand, the Casa Cook and Cook’s Club brands, and resort/hotel brands under the Thomas Cook brand for £11m.
- Advised Cubits on its restructuring and ultimate administration after its $33m fraud. Cubits was one of the world’s leading crypto currency trading platforms.
Dechert LLP
Leveraging the firm's overarching asset management expertise, Dechert LLP's sweet-spot lies in representing funds clients as creditors in complex contentious and non-contentious international restructurings/insolvencies. Solomon Noh 's arrival in February 2020 from Shearman & Sterling LLP was a significant hire for the team, particularly in light of his ability to provide US Chapter 11 advice to clients on the ground from London. Paul Fleming joined Addleshaw Goddard in November 2019.
Other key lawyers:
Solomon Noh; Giles Belsey; Adam Silver; Alastair Goldrein; Michelle Gordon; Chris Horrocks; Ricci Potts
Key clients
The Joint Liquidators of Webinvest Limited (in liquidation)
Noteholders of Public Joint-Stock Company Commercial Bank PrivatBank
Funds managed by Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited
Work highlights
- Advising funds managed by Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited in a high-profile challenge to the restructuring of $500m high yield notes issued by the International Bank of Azerbaijan.
- Advising the Joint Liquidators of Webinvest Limited (in liquidation) in two related multi-party actions in the Chancery Division seeking to unwind a series of complex fraudulent transactions designed to render Webinvest “judgment proof” in the run up to its liquidation in late 2014.
- Advising the holders of Loan Participation Notes (LPN) indirectly issued by PrivatBank in litigation following the nationalisation of PrivatBank and “bail-in” of the LPNs.
Fieldfisher
With experts spread across the firm's London, Manchester and Birmingham offices, the 'engaging, responsive and proactive' team at Fieldfisher provides a 'high level of technical expertise' to a broad array of stakeholders, engaged in both formal insolvency matters, as well as restructuring and distressed transactions. Although it is active across a range of industry sectors, the team is able to add particular value to matters within the retail, life sciences, and energy spaces. 'As technically excellent as a savant but as commercial and personable as a barrow boy', Stewart Perry 'brings a common sense practical view to delivering solutions that reflect the law but which are dominated by common sense rather than legal technicalities'.
Other key lawyers:
Stewart Perry; Michelle Shean; Carly Schiff ; Kit Jarvis
Testimonials
The team provides a high level of technical excellence. They have fantastic lawyers, who are knowledgeable in their field, give good honest advice and understand what the client is looking for.
The team at Fieldfisher are exceptional at client service. It appears to be a key part of their model that clients become familiar with not just one partner but a range of partners.
They are engaging, responsive and proactive.
Stewart Perry: As technically excellent as a savant but as commercial and personable as a barrow boy: a rare combination.
Stewart Perry brings a common sense practical view to delivering solutions that reflect the law but which are dominated by common sense rather than legal technicalities.
Carly Schiff: a brilliant, down-to-earth but hard-as-nails expert lawyer.
Carly Schiff is exceptionally responsive, practical and incredibly effective. Her technical skills are impressive and her ability to understand the commercial implications and find efficient resolutions that work with the companies strategy.
Key clients
SPS Technology Holdings Limited
Infrastrata Plc
KPMG
Grant Thornton
Duff and Phelps
RSM
Mazars
PWC
FRP Advisory
Kreston Reeves
Work highlights
- Advised numerous individuals who held credit default swaps collectively worth in excess of £250m in the Thomas Cook restructuring, advising on the terms of the proposed scheme of arrangement and whether an insolvency procedure could be recognised in order to trigger the swaps.
- Acted for the administrators of Pinnacle in a case involving potential property fraud.
- Acting for the liquidators of Goldtrail Travel Limited in pursuing claims against the former directors and connected parties for dishonest transactions, pursuant to which the client was awarded £10m plus in damages.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Led by the 'highly experienced and very effective' Ashley Katz , the 'small but dynamic' team at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP has a 'knack for finding innovative solutions' for creditors and debtors, including funds, directors and IPs. Often working seamlessly with finance, real estate and litigation lawyers from the London office and also regularly tapping into the significant resources in situ from New York, the team's particular sweet-spot lies in relation to advising on complex cross-border contentious and non-contentious matters.
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Testimonials
The team is very efficient, works seamlessly and ensures continuity round the clock, taking advantage of their international presence, especially in New York and in London. They have great resources and a very talented team of people that promote clients’ interests.
They are innovative and hardworking. It is a small but dynamic team with very quick response times and clever ideas.
Ashley Katz is a very effective, highly experienced, insolvency and restructuring specialist.
The energetic and focused Ashley Katz has a wealth of knowledge, is well networked, commercial and good at technical detail.
Ashley Katz has great legal knowledge, an eye for detail and a knack for finding innovative solutions.
Amy Faraday has an excellent work ethic and displays superb attention to detail.
Key clients
Jack Wills
Sberbank of Russia
Centerbridge Partners
Simon Conway and Jess Shakespeare of PwC
Related Companies
The Gaucho Restaurant Group
Powerleague Group
KPMG
Work highlights
- Advising the company and the administrator, in relation to the £25m restructuring and pre-packaged administration sale of the Jack Wills business to Sports Direct.
- Advised the board of directors of the Powerleague Group on the £34m restructuring of the group’s debt obligations, which was ultimately achieved via a company voluntary arrangement.
- Represented Sberbank in a successful challenge against an application made to the English courts by the International Bank of Azerbaijan (the ‘IBA’), pursuant to which the IBA sought an order for a permanent moratorium against creditor action in England and Wales.
K&L Gates LLP
Leveraging its strong international footprint, particularly across the US, Asia Pacific and the Middle East, K&L Gates LLP excels in advising a myriad stakeholders, including funds, IPs, suppliers, corporates and directors, on contentious and non-contentious cross-border distressed situations, particularly within the aviation, energy and retail sectors. The team is led by Jonathan Lawrence - whose expertise runs the gamut of solvent corporate reorganisations as well as insolvent situations.
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Key clients
Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi & Brothers Company (AHAB)
LKQ Corporation/Euro Car Parts
Hakkasan Limited
Knight Frank LLP
CSC Capital Markets UK
Berkeley Research Group
Halliburton Energy Services
Flexibility Apparel
Tocalabs
Franchise World Headquarters (Subway)
Qatar Free Zone Authority
MAF Clothing
OSI Systems, Inc
KordaMentha
GLAS Trust Corporation
Duff & Phelps
Investec
Mount Street
Deutsche Bank
Grant Thornton
Silver Rock Financial
OIA Global
Rapiscan Systems
Link Asset Services
FRP Advisory
US Bank Trustees
Arcadia Group
Voyages-SNCF.com
Arena Racing Corporation
Rainmaker Investments
Macquarie Bank
Smith & Williamson
Seafolly Pty
Boralex Inc.
Healthcor Management
Davidson Kempner
Longulf Trading Limited
BlueBay Asset Management
Sandglass Capital Management
Pala Assets Holdings Limited
RAI Investments PTE LTD.
GML Capital
VR Global Partners, L.P.
Santca Capital GP Ltd
IVO Capital Partners
Bank of America Merrill
Work highlights
- Advising Formula One® in relation to an opposed petition to wind up a debtor.
- Advising major supplier to Jack Wills on a claim in its administration.
- Advising Knight Frank as receivers of a multimillion- pound residential property.
Taylor Wessing LLP
Led by Nick Moser , Taylor Wessing LLP's restructuring and insolvency team advises funds, IPs and corporates across a broad range of creditor and debtor-side mandates, from both a formal insolvency perspective, as well as on more transactional distressed investment related mandates. Given the firm's intellectual property and venture capital credentials, it is perhaps unsurprising that a fairly sizeable amount of work handled by the team relates to distressed technology-related entities. Another area of strength for the team lies in its ability to handle pensions-related restructurings.
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Testimonials
‘Nick Moser is an insolvency expect with strong industry track record, in-depth knowledge and accessibility.’
Key clients
White Oak
BDO LLP
Smith & Williamson LLP
KPMG LLP
LK Bennett management team
Grant Thornton
Duff & Phelps
Rutland
PwC
Alix Partners
Baker Tilly BVI
Work highlights
- Advised British Steel’s senior secured lender, White Oak, on all aspects of this corporate collapse.
- Advised the ultimate majority shareholder on all aspects of Arcadia Group’s restructuring, through seven inter- dependent CVAs, debt and equity financing, and pensions contributions.
- Advised the management team of high-profile retailer, LK Bennett, on all aspects of its pre-administration contingency planning.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP
The 'exceptional' Graham Lane oversees a 'very talented and down-to-earth' seven-strong team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP, that 'works well across practice areas' and overseas offices (including alongside the US and Paris groups). Although it does handle some debtor work - generated as a result of distressed private equity portfolio companies - the firm's sweet-spot lies in creditor/investor side mandates for funds engaged in large cross-border situations involving complex capital structures.
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Testimonials
A truly exceptional team, that works well across practice areas and offices.
It is rare to find a group of highly talented people with such a down-to-earth approach.
The team has a pro-active, client-focused approach.
Graham Lane is an exceptional lawyer and his team’s culture, professionalism and behaviour demonstrates that his leadership is also highly effective.
Graham Lane and Iben Madsen are both very user-friendly, supportive and knowledgeable.
Iben Madsen is a super lawyer, with a great sense of humour.
Alexander Roy is a star.
Key clients
Monarch Alternative Capital
Apollo Management International
Cheyne Capital
Credit Suisse Asset Management
CVC Credit Partners
GoldenTree Asset Management
Tikehau Capital
Grant Thornton UK
AlixPartners
TOR Investment Management
Spartan Race, Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented the coordinating committee of senior secured noteholders on the comprehensive financial restructuring of Lecta’s €600m senior secured notes and refinancing of Lecta’s €65m super senior revolving credit facility, implemented by way of an English Scheme of Arrangement, a US Chapter 15 and a Spanish Homologación Judicial.
- Advising Spartan, Inc. on its acquisition of the business and certain assets of Tough Mudder Limited, in administration.
- Advised Apollo and Monarch Alternative Capital on the $107m disposal of listed aerospace manufacturer Latécoère, following Latécoère’s debt-for-equity restructuring in 2015 (on which the firm also advised Apollo and Monarch).
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP's London restructuring offering may not be the force it once was but it still has a number of US-qualified lawyers able to work with funds clients and collaborate with the New York office on cross-border mandates. US-qualified partner Gregory Petrick heads up the team and splits his time between London and New York.
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Key clients
MBIA
Toisa Limited (Informal Ad Hoc Secured Lender Committee)
Work highlights
- Advising bond insurer, MBIA, in multiple capacities, including with respect to restructuring efforts and potential litigation, relating to two distressed collateral loan obligation investment funds which it has significant exposure to.
- Advising an informal ad hoc secured lender committee as creditors to Toisa Limited on its Chapter 11.
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Operating from London and Guildford, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP's 'exceptional' five-partner team handles the full spectrum of formal insolvency and restructuring work, both in a corporate setting as well as in relation to personal insolvencies. Benefiting from a high degree of flexibility on fees, which includes acting on a contingency basis as well as through third-party funding, the firm is perhaps best-known for its contentious insolvency expertise, including as it relates to cross-border fraud and asset tracing. Sector strengths include sports, private wealth and real estate. James Hyne heads the team.
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Testimonials
The team is exceptional, both in terms of their technical knowledge and client interaction. The lawyers offer sound, practical advice and are willing go the extra mile to maximise their clients’ chances of success.
The exceptional Jason Freedman provides measured, commercial advice, that is technically sound but also practical. He is always willing to go the extra mile for his clients and is able to simplify complex issues.
Hanh Nguyen is very thorough and has excellent judgement.
Key clients
CVR Global LLP
Adrian Hyde and Edgar Lavarello (trustees in bankruptcy of Gregory King)
POD Food Limited (in administration)
Work highlights
- Acting for the liquidators of a former payroll company that operated to the detriment of HMRC including issuing proceedings against four respondents and obtaining a worldwide freezing order.
- Acted for the appointed Administrators of a leading clothing retailer in relation to the sale of their retail brands and the associated intellectual property rights to the purchaser.
Druces LLP
Co-headed by Neil Hayter and Christopher Axford, the 'knowledgeable and responsive' team at Druces LLP provides 'accurate and cost efficient' advice across the full range of restructuring and insolvency work, including complex restructurings, directors’ duties/corporate governance advice and insolvency litigation. The firm has developed a particularly strong track record for handling restructuring and administration in the care sector, as well as claims against directors involving investigatory work.
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Testimonials
A no-nonsense team, they deliver what you need, when you need it, in a cost-efficient fashion.
The team is knowledgeable and responsive.
A good smaller team to take up your case, also not as many conflict issues as some firms.
Rachel Brown is superb – tough but fair.
Rachel Brown – identifies the issue quickly and looks for the best possible solution. Very comfortable with insolvency and restructuring issues.
Caroline Cropley is exactly what you’d hope a senior associate would be. She ‘owns’ the account, she knows what needs to happen, when it needs to happen and how to get it done.
Key clients
Montreux Healthcare Fund Plc
The Pickstock Group
Quantuma LLP
Rocket Software
Work highlights
- Acting for the liquidator of an English company defending and successfully settling a High Court claim for damages in excess of $10m.
- Acted for a healthcare fund on an acquisition and the restructuring of the group comprising 22 subsidiaries.
- We advised on the English law elements of a £25m group restructuring, designed to streamline the group’s foreign elements into an English holding company.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Led from London by Simon Waller, and also able to tap into the expertise of lawyers from across the firm's regional network of offices, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is well-positioned to advise administrators, banks and corporates across a range of primarily domestic mid-market restructuring and insolvency work. Although it is sector agnostic, the team has built up a particularly strong track record handling mandates within the financial services, retail and energy sectors.
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Testimonials
A breadth of experience and expertise with a helpful geographical spread.
The team provides responsive, commercial and knowledgeable advice.
Jamie Leader can always be relied upon to suggest the right commercial solutions to difficult problems.
The responsive, knowledgeable and friendly Alexander Mehdevy provides commercial advice.
Fladgate LLP
Fladgate LLP provides 'pragmatic and responsive advice' to a range of stakeholders, including insolvency practitioners, debtors and directors. Although it lost Daniel Martin on the transactional side in 2019, under the guidance of the 'very calm' Jeremy Whiteson and Bree Taylor, the team remains strong on contentious UK-based mid-market matters. The 'personable and very bright' Ben Drew has a strong reputation handling insolvency-related disputes within the financial services sector.
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Testimonials
Fladgate has a good blend of highly experienced corporate insolvency partners with access to a strong financial services and regulatory practice, which is not that common outside of the very large legal practices.
The practice has always provided pragmatic advice in a responsive manner.
Jeremy Whiteson has a novel approach to dealing with difficult issues and has an air of calmness about him.
Jeremy Whiteson demonstrated a good knowledge of both corporate and insolvency law. He was pro-active, very user-friendly, strategic and commercial in his approach. I would thoroughly recommend him.
Bree Taylor is energetic and clear thinking.
Ben Drew is very personable and bright.
Ben Drew provided sage advice in a complex situation, where delivery of difficult messages in a robust but empathetic manner was important.
Key clients
Fly Victor Limited
Toys R Us
Anthony Batty & Co.
BDO LLP
Begbies
David Rubin & Partners
Grant Thornton
Moorfields
FRP
James Cowper Creston
B and C Associates
Menzies
PKF
Work highlights
- Acting for the liquidators of Dial a Cab Credit Union which went into liquidation with a deficit of approx £22m. Work includes pursuing a number of claims against those who borrowed money from the Credit Union and have failed to repay.
Goodwin
Since joining in 2019 from Addleshaw Goddard, Simon Thomas has made a transformational difference to Goodwin's nascent London restructuring practice and has been able to leverage the firm's existing private equity/venture capital funds ties and real estate expertise, to pursue various restructuring and insolvency opportunities. Team head Thomas is appreciated for his 'good judgement and empathetic style', and is ably assisted by a growing team of associates that include the 'hardworking, responsive and commercial' Oonagh Steel.
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Testimonials
The team at Goodwin was very informed and responsive.
I have always found the individuals very personable and enjoyable to work with.
The responsive and commercial Simon Thomas has good judgement and an empathetic style.
Simon Thomas is innovative and technically sound.
Oonagh Steel is hardworking, responsive and commercial.
Key clients
Medical Properties Trust
Cambridge Broadband Networks Limited
Insulet Corporation
Pacific Alliance Group
BDO
New Look
Thomas Cook
PwC
Sky
InMotion Ventures
Work highlights
- Involved in the the pre-acquisition debt restructuring associated with Advised Medical Properties Trust Inc’s £1.5bn purchase of 30 private hospitals in the UK from a group of hedge funds.
- Assisted with the proposed rescue attempt utilising English Schemes of Arrangement prior to the collapse of Thomas Cook.
- Assisting Inmotion Ventures on the administration process related to its investment into ARC Vehicle Limited (which is developing an environmentally sustainable motorcycle) and its efforts to find a way to rescue the business.
Lipman Karas LLP
Fully integrated with its offices in Australia and Hong Kong, Lipman Karas LLP's 'extremely diligent and hardworking' two-partner London team has an 'exceptional focus on large-scale cross-border insolvency litigation', for IPs and commercial clients. The 'unflappable' Jeremy Scott is 'very knowledgeable' and co-heads the team alongside Andrew Ford .
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Testimonials
The team is extremely diligent, hard-working, creative and innovative.
The team has worked collaboratively and effectively with international lawyers and insolvency practitioners, and secured some good results
Lipman Karas specialises in commercial litigation, much of which has an insolvency or corporate law angle. They are instructed on many high-value commercial disputes and have considerable experience in this area. As a firm, they have very good lawyers from top to bottom.
The firm has an exceptional focus on cross-border, large-scale insolvency litigation.
Jeremy Scott is an experienced litigator.
Jeremy Scott is hugely experienced, very knowledgeable in the law and unflappable.
Key clients
Al-Gosaibi family as part of the Saad liquidation
The joint receivers of various entities in the African Minerals mining group
The Liquidators of Carlyle Capital Corporation
The joint liquidators of the Kingate Funds (Madoff feeder funds)
The liquidator of the largest creditor of The Bell Group Ltd (in liquidation)
Work highlights
- Lead global counsel for the court appointed liquidators on investigations and litigation in Guernsey and the US concerning the collapse in 2008 of Carlyle Capital Corporation (CCC), a $22bn hedge fund affiliate of the Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest private equity hedge funds. Appeal to Privy Council being heard in late 2020.
- Advising (with K&L Gates) on the first scheme of arrangement ever attempted in Saudi Arabia concerning the claims of more than 100 international financial institutions on claims running into the billions of dollars.
- Instructed by the joint receivers to advise them on strategy in relation to a raft of high profile and varied litigation in the English courts and in respect of the revocation of mining licenses in Sierra Leone.
Michelmores LLP
Appreciated by clients for its 'very commercial and effective advice', Michelmores LLP has developed a particularly strong reputation in the market for its 'sensible and pragmatic advice to directors as they traverse complicated restructuring processes, large or small'. Consequently, the firm has been involved in numerous high-profile mandates, including its recent representation of the board of directors in Galapagos' €1bn restructuring. Team head Charles Maunder has been central to the firm's success in this area and is appreciated for his ability to provide 'calm and reassuring advice in often stressful and urgent situations'.
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Testimonials
Michelmores provides practical, specific, useful advice and were always willing to assist, whatever the time of the day.
The team provides very commercial and cost-effective advice.
Our go-to firm for sensible, pragmatic advice to directors – as they traverse complicated restructuring processes, large or small.
Charles Maunder was exceptional throughout the pre-administration process. His ability to get to the issue and help provide the Directors with practical, sensible advice was vitally important in what was a stressful time for all.
Charles Maunder is our first port of call where directors require specific advice on their duties in restructuring and insolvency situations. He has a wealth of experience and understands both the technical legal aspects but also the need for commercial advice. His manner is also calm and reassuring, much valued properties on often stressful and urgent situations.
Key clients
Bullitt Group Limited
Alix Partners UK (Marme)
Board of Directors of Galapagos Holding S.A and Galapagos S.A
Sourceable Limited (trading as Swoon) and KPMG
Board of Directors of Karen Millen Group
Board of Directors of Eddie Stobart Logistics Plc
David Rubin and Partners (Avara Avlon)
Board of Directors of Bob Martin (UK) Limited
Board of Directors of Flybe PLC
Board of Directors of CashEuroNet LLC
Work highlights
- Advised the boards of directors of Galapagos Holding S.A and Galapagos S.A. the issuers of junior and senior debt of approximately €1bn in aggregate in connection with their debt restructuring.
- Advising 45 companies in the Four Seasons Healthcare restructuring that operated homes with leasehold (as opposed to freehold) interests.
- Advising the board of directors of Flybe Plc in connection with its restructuring, sale of Flybe Ltd and Scheme of Arrangement.
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Praised for its 'first-rate case preparation', Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP 'brings deep litigation expertise to the insolvency market', for IPs bringing claims on behalf of insolvent estates, as well as for junior and dissentient creditor funds seeking to realise value from their investments. The 'responsive, bright and engaged' Robert Hickmott and Richard East, who is appreciated for his willingness to 'think outside the box', co-head the team.
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Testimonials
The team is knowledgeable, hard working and efficient.
The firm brings deep litigation expertise to the insolvency market. The evidence and case preparation is first-rate.
Robert Hickmott is responsive, bright, and engaged.
Robert Hickmott is a highly experienced and energetic partner, who gets results.
Richard East is the superstar. He’s a man of tremendous energy and very committed to his clients. He thinks very clear about strategy and the potential avenues by which a case might developed. It is rare to see a lawyer so determined to achieve a result for his clients.
Richard East has a very determined and innovative approach, and is always prepared to think outside the box in order to get a result for his clients.
Yasseen Gailani is a new and up-and-coming partner. He has a fantastic legal mind and is very switched on as to the pitfalls that his clients may face.
Key clients
Joint administrators of JD Classics Limited (in Administration)
Joint Receivers of assets pledged to a bank as security.
Phones 4u Limited (in administration)
Pacific Investment Management Company LLC
Signal Credit Opportunities (Lux) Investco II S.a r.l.
Fairhold Securitisation Limited
Receivers and Managers (who are partners at BDO) of the Libyan Investment – Authority
Work highlights
- Advising the joint administrators of a former leading dealer of prestige and classic vehicles in realising value for the estate via the pursuit of a multi-pronged litigation strategy aimed at generating recoveries sufficient to repay £75m+ of secured and unsecured debt.
- Representing a group of funds who held bonds issued by Banco Popular Español, which was acquired by Banco Santander in June 2017 for €1 under a ‘bail-in’ deal brokered by the European Single Resolution Board (SRB) under a new European-wide regime. Consequently, the firm is pursuing proceedings on behalf of the funds against multiple parties in multiple jurisdictions.
- Acting for the estate of Phones 4U Limited in its action against network operators O2, Telefonica, Vodafone, EE, and former EE shareholders Orange and Deutsche Telekom. The claim alleges that anti-competitive conduct and bad faith on behalf of the defendants led Phones4U to enter into administration and suffer loss.
Reed Smith LLP
Reed Smith LLP advises IPs, corporates and banks, across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious insolvency/restructuring mandates. Leveraging industry specific experts from throughout the firm's offices, including in Europe, Asia and the US, the team adds particular value to funds clients on their distressed investments in core firmwide sector strengths, including shipping and energy. The team is headed by Mandip Englund, following Charlotte Møller's departure to Brown Rudnick LLP in November 2019.
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RPC
Co-headed by Paul Bagon and Finella Fogarty , who both recently joined from Rosenblatt and DWF, respectively, RPC maintains its strong position in the insurance space, but is also increasingly exploiting opportunities across other sectors, from both a formal insolvency and restructuring perspective. The team is instructed by a range of stakeholders, including IPs, boards of directors and companies, which appreciate its 'commercial approach to difficult situations'. Former longstanding team head Vivien Tyrell recently retired.
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Testimonials
The team has a commercial approach to difficult situations.
Key clients
Sports Direct International – Jack Wills Limited (in Administration)
Phoenix Light SF DAC
Manolete Partners Plc – Evershine Travel (in Liquidation)
Nigel Rackham & Mike Jervise (both of PwC) as Joint Provisional Liquidators of Newmarket Corporate Member Limited
Geoff Rowley and Jason Baker of FRP Advisory LLP as the joint administrators of International Mining & Infrastructure Corporation Plc (in administration).
Work highlights
- Acted for Dr Vijay Mallya in relation to defending bankruptcy proceedings brought by a consortium of 13 Indian Banks for an alleged debt of £1.4bn.
- Acted for FRP Advisory LLP, the administrators of an AIM-listed parent of a Cameroonian Mining Company holding four exploration licences in Cameroon, which owed circa $220m to creditors including $180m of loan notes.
- Acted for a key creditor of Ballantyne Re, Plc which used an Irish scheme of arrangement to restructure its reinsurance obligations and outstanding indebtedness.
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Shearman & Sterling LLP is in the process of rebuilding its City restructuring team in the wake of a number of departures. In summer 2020 the firm announced the hire of former Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP partner Alex Wood to expand its European restructuring efforts. Wood's practice covers all aspects of financial restructuring and insolvency, with experience advising corporates, sponsors and creditors on restructurings and insolvencies. His hire came after Solomon Noh left for Dechert, while Mei Lian joined Paul Hastings LLP .