Banking and finance in North West
Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard offers in-depth experience across a range of banking and finance mandates. Corporate banking, leveraged finance, project finance, and real estate finance are key areas of expertise, and the team particularly stands out for its proficiency in asset-based lending and asset finance (equipment leasing and finance) instructions. With borrower and major lender clients, the team is active across transactions in the energy, finance, health, transport and retail and consumer sectors. Department head Martin O’Shea is a 'leading light for North West banking and finance'; Andrew Maskill heads the firm's asset finance practice; Simon Prendergast specialises in asset based lending and receivables financing; Richard Oman has a particular focus on corporate lending and leveraged acquisition finance matters; and Katie Ridehalgh specialises in real estate finance. Legal directors Caroline Gray and Ben Edwards are also key figures.
Practice head(s):
Martin O’Shea
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Maskill; Simon Prendergast; Richard Oman; Katie Ridehalgh; Caroline Gray; Ben Edwards
Testimonials
Commercially strong
One of the best banking and finance practices in the region
The team demonstrates a commitment to client service and has a strong work ethic
The team has good attention to detail and clear recognition of commercial considerations that need to balance legal opinions in the ‘real world’
Martin O’Shea is readily available, supportive and has built a capable and knowledgeable team around him
Ben Edwards is reliable, capable and highly experienced
The best adviser to leasing and asset finance providers in the sector by a considerable margin
Has a genuine understanding of the client’s business and business needs, which makes the information provided relevant and timely
The individuals within the team have a high level of expertise in their particular areas and a high level of attention to detail
Katie Ridehalgh is exceptional
Key clients
Allied London
JD Sports
Dechra Pharmaceuticals
Radius Payment Solutions
HSBC Group
Investec Bank
Work highlights
- Advised The Hut Group on its $1bn funding requirement, provided by a total of 15 lenders, to enable further expansion.
- Advised JD Sports Fashion and its subsidiaries on the refinance of its revolving credit facility with four banks, as part of its acquisition of US retailer Finish Line Inc.
- Acted for Allied London on the financing of the redevelopment of Manchester’s Grade-II listed London Road Fire Station.
- Advised Dechra Pharmaceuticals on the provision of a £350m term loan facility to fund certain acquisitions by the group.
- Instructed by Huws Gray and Inflexion on the acquisition of Ridgeons.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper UK LLP stands out for its debt finance and asset based lending expertise, and it is experienced in alternative and complex debt structures. Real estate finance and large corporate transactions are a mainstay of the practice and it is adept at handling complex cross-border instructions. The team acts for numerous banks, borrowers, funds and sponsors. Department head Matthew Christmas is 'exceptional' and the 'strong' Joseph Frew leads the asset based lending practice in the North West and co-heads the firm's national ABL team. Rebecca Williams handles asset finance matters, while senior associates Charles Weems, who regularly advises on alternative debt structures and Alastair Carruthers, who is experienced in ABL work, are also noted.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Christmas
Other key lawyers:
Joseph Frew; Charles Weems; Alastair Carruthers; Sidrah Arif; Rebecca Williams
Testimonials
The team delivers considered advice and a consistent service
It always does an excellent job
Matthew Christmas is outstanding and a real market leader
Charles Weems is a star of the future
Joseph Frew is excellent on ABL mandates
Key clients
Booths
Five Guys
HSBC Bank and HSBC Global Trade and Receivables Finance and HSBC REF
Lloyds Bank
Matalan
NSG UK Co
Permira Debt Managers
Pemberton Capital
Royal Bank of Scotland plc and RBS Asset Based Lending and RBS REF
Santander UK
Tosca Debt Capital
Maslow Capital
Bibby Financial Services
Work highlights
- Advised Five Guys on its private credit unitranche funding, from Goldman Sachs, to fund its continental expansion.
- Acted for Tosca Debt Capital on its £25m funding to part fund the £42.5m public to private acquisition of Styles & Wood Group.
- Represented Matalan on its 2018 refinancing.
- Acted for Chess Telecom on its new syndicated facilities.
- Advised Ardent Hire Solutions on the refinancing of its multi-bank ABL facilities.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is active across real estate finance, corporate lending, acquisition finance, public sector lending, debt capital markets, asset based lending and education finance mandates. The team acts for a raft of major banks, public sector bodies, sponsors and borrowers on complex domestic and international transactions. Team head Matthew Morgan acts for lenders and borrowers on real estate finance, corporate finance and acquisition finance mandates, while Samantha Rollason is experienced in advising on the restructuring of UK and international real estate transactions and UK and overseas real estate funds, and Tim Fearn specialises in corporate finance, acquisition finance and asset based lending. Senior associate Sarah Jay and legal director Pippa Whitmore are also noted.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Morgan
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
Matthew Morgan is an exceptional lawyer, and he has vast experience and is very visible in the market
The team is adept at handling complex transactions
Tim Fearn is experienced across corporate finance, acquisition finance and asset based lending work
Samantha Rollason is brilliant
Sarah Jay is a star of the future
Key clients
HSBC Bank
RBS
Select Property Group
Permira Debt Capital
Tyman plc
PJ Livesey Group
N M Rothschild & Sons
European Metal Recycling
Clydesdale Yorkshire Bank
Quint Group
Work highlights
- Acted for Tyman plc on its £240m refinancing.
- Advised Select Property Group on the £180m refinancing of three student accommodation schemes.
- Advised a group of lenders on a £325m facility forPZ Cussons.
- Advised agroup of lenders on the £150m refinancing of Johnson Service Group.
- Acted for Permira Debt Capital on the refinancing of an acquisition facility.
Hill Dickinson LLP
Based across its Manchester and Liverpool offices, the team at Hill Dickinson LLP regularly handles corporate and property finance transactions, and acts on a number of asset based lending and private equity mandates. The team is instructed by a range of lender and borrower clients and has particular experience across the leisure, transportation, real estate, construction, retail and financial services sectors. Liverpool-based banking and finance head Richard Capper is a 'fantastic lawyer', while Alasdair Mackinnon heads the banking practice in Manchester, where Chris Johnston, who heads the property finance team, is also based.
Practice head(s):
Richard Capper
Other key lawyers:
Chris Johnston; Alasdair Mackinnon; Deepak Purushothaman; Helen Penfold; Emma Howard; Rebecca Layton
Testimonials
Richard Capper is outstanding and a strong player in the Liverpool market
Alasdair Mackinnon is exceptional and is leading the firm’s growing Manchester presence
The team is highly skilled
The lawyers within the team are very experienced and deliver excellent attention to detail
Key clients
RBS Group (including Nat West and Ulster Bank Ireland)
Lloyds Banking Group
Bibby Financial Services
Betfred Goup
Regency Entertainment Leisure & Tourism
Hyde Park Finance
Stobart Group
Bank of Ireland
Lendinvest
Arbuthnot Latham & Co
Coutts & Co
Oblix Capital Ltd
Ingenious Real Estate Finance
Banks & Clients
Northgate
Wilmington Trust Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised Regency Entertainment Group on its €480m financial restructuring.
- Advised Stobart Group on the amendment, restatement and extension of its existing revolving credit facilities with Lloyds Bank and Allied Irish Bank.
- Acted for HSBC on the funding of the management buy-out of Fullex Locks by Maven Capital Partners with a mixture of term facility and invoice discounting.
- Advised The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland on the provision of facilities to Uniphar for the acquisition of Sisk Healthcare.
- Acted for Lloyds Bank on the £30m refinancing and group reorganisation of Elite Group.
Squire Patton Boggs
Squire Patton Boggs is active across real estate finance, corporate lending, leveraged finance, project finance and asset based lending transactions. The team acts for a range of lender and borrower clients, and regularly handles complex domestic and cross-border instructions. Department head Claire Shepherd handles property finance, asset based lending, acquisition finance, project finance, restructuring and general corporate lending mandates. Matthew Ingram is 'experienced' and is regularly instructed on cross-border matters. Debra Cooper is 'excellent on real estate finance mandates'.
Practice head(s):
Claire Shepherd
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Ingram; Debra Cooper; Graham Ball
Testimonials
The team has a professional and pro-active approach and is praised for its overall speed of delivery
Debra Cooper provides a very impressive, high quality service, as well as all round assistance and advice
Matthew Ingram is first-rate
Claire Shepherd is an excellent operator
Key clients
Allied Irish Banks
Deutsche Pfandbriefbank
NM Rothschild & Sons
Clydesdale Bank
Manchester City Council
Leeds City Region Revolving Investment Fund LP
Frontier Development Capital
PNC Business Credit
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Work highlights
- Acted for Polypipe Group on the refinancing of its senior revolving credit facilities of £300m with an additional uncommitted accordion facility of up to £50m. The facilities were provided by a five bank syndicate.
- Advised Findel on the refinancing of its senior revolving credit facilities of £100m, which were provided by a six bank syndicate.
- Acted for FDC on the provision of mezzanine loans to Inprova Finance for the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Energy & Carbon Management Ltd.
- Advised Manchester City council on the provision of senior development finance borrower Capital and Centric to fund two separate apartment blocks near Piccadilly station in central Manchester.
- Advised On The Beach Group on the financing for its £20m acquisition of Classic Collection Holidays.
Brabners LLP
Brabners LLP's banking and finance department acts for lenders and borrowers on a range of instructions such as acquisition finance, property investment and development finance, as well as bridging and mezzanine finance mandates. The housing and sports sectors are key areas of focus for the 'hardworking and efficient' team. Manchester-based Tony Harper and Liverpool-based Andrew O’Mahony head the team.
Practice head(s):
Tony Harper; Andrew O’Mahony
Other key lawyers:
Matthew O’Brien; Helen Burns
Testimonials
The team is adept at handling a range of banking and finance transactions and it offers in-depth experience for lender and borrower clients
Key clients
National Westminster Bank
Santander
Royal Bank of Scotland
Yorkshire Bank
Arbuthnot Latham & Co
Svenska Handelsbanken
Hope Capital
Merseyside Loan and Equity Fund
Liverpool Mutual Homes
Brown Shipley
Work highlights
- Acted for RBS on the provision of acquisition finance facilities to Anderbury to refinance existing borrowings and to enable it to acquire the entire issued share capital of Rowton Hall Hotel.
- Advised RBS on the provision of loan facilities to BJ (201) Ltd and BJ (202) Ltd in relation to the financing of The Corn Exchange Building, Liverpool.
- Advised Railway Housing Association and Benefit Fund in relation to new facilities from Clydesdale Bank.
- Acted for Alpha in relation to secured loan facilities of £15.65m from Lloyds Bank.
- Acted for Rochdale Textile Supplies on the £8m refinancing of its banking facilities.
DWF
Operating across the firm's Liverpool and Manchester offices, the team at DWF stands out for its corporate banking expertise; it regularly acts for borrowers and lenders, and boasts a growing alternative lender client base. Public sector finance and automotive sector finance mandates are particular areas of expertise for the department. The team is headed by James Szerdy and includes Paul Brown who acts for lenders and borrowers on both public and private sector funding.
Practice head(s):
James Szerdy
Other key lawyers:
Paul Brown; Eleanor Cook; Katherine Tyas; Alasdair Mackinnon
Testimonials
James Szerdy has a strong reputation in the market
Paul Brown is experienced in public sector finance matters
Key clients
National Westminster Bank/RBS
HSBC Bank
Santander UK
Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank
Homes and Communities Agency
Lendinvest
NextGear Capital UK
First Rand Bank
Blue Motor Finance
Lombard North Central
Nationwide Building Society
Work highlights
- Advised NWF on the negotiation of the renewal of its banking facilities.
- Represented Greater Manchester Housing Fund (Manchester City Council) on an £11m development finance facility.
- Represented Progress Housing Group on the amendment and restatement of its core finance facilities.
- Acted for Homes England on range of transactions to fund residential developments.
- Advised HSBC Bank on the provision of finance to an existing client.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP stands out for its strong corporate borrower following and handles a raft of high-profile transactions. The team is also developing its bank side practice and counts several major banks as clients. Real estate finance and education finance are key areas of expertise, as are care home finance and renewable energy finance. Department head Jason Wurzal and Taslima Salam who specialises in in corporate banking and real estate finance, are key figures.
Practice head(s):
Jason Wurzal
Other key lawyers:
Taslima Salam; Richard Cowan
Key clients
Perwyn LLP
Qualtex UK
Globus (Shetland)
Augustus Regis
Romaco
SimplyBiz
Advanced Medical Solutions Group
Charles Street Commercial Investments
Barchester Healthcare
Peel Media
Footasylum
Cadogan Estates
UC Group
Santander UK
Aeriance Investments
Triodos Bank
Together
Eurohotels
Christies International
Marshall of Cambridge
Begbies
Next
N Brown Group
Marshalls
Renold
RBS
Lloyds Banking Group
API Group
Topps Tiles
Morses Club
LNT Group
Work highlights
- Advised N Brown Group on the£625m refinancing of its securitisation and revolving credit facilities.
- Acted for Topps Tiles on its £50m refinancing with Barclays and RBS.
- Advised SimplyBiz Group on its AIM float
- Advised Perwyn on the funding arrangements for its purchase of a majority stake in Lowe Rental.
- Advised Morses Club on its revolving credit facility of £50m and on a further £5m mezzanine facility.
Gateley Plc
The team at Gateley Plc acts for a range of major UK high street banks, owner managed businesses, entrepreneurs, borrowers and local private equity houses, mezzanine lenders and debt funds. Acquisition finance is a key area of expertise, as is real estate finance, and the team stands out for its specialist experience in acting for asset based lenders and surety houses. Richard Sealy heads the team and senior associate Christopher Lister is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Richard Sealy
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
Richard Sealy is excellent and a well known figure in the market
The team is experienced in a range of banking and finance work
Key clients
Beechbrook UK SME Credit Ltd
HSBC Bank
The Royal Bank of Scotland
Work highlights
- Advised HSBC Bank on a facility agreement to Otium Properties (Coppins Bridge) to fund and assist with the purchase and development of a retail park in the Isle of Wight.
- Advised Argonaught Holdings on a facility agreement for the purpose of refinancing property and future property acquisition and developments.
- Acted for Rainy City Investments on a revolving credit facility.
- Reorganisation and Financing of Leathwaite International LLP. Solicitors to the Funder, Beechbrook Capital UK SME Credit Ltd.
- Amendment and Restatement of facilities for 4Most Group Holdings Limited from Beechbrook UK SME Credit Ltd, to allow the creation of an employee ownership trust scheme. Solicitors to the Funder.
gunnercooke LLP
gunnercooke LLP acts for leading financial institutions and corporate clients across corporate banking, real estate finance, leveraged finance, asset based lending and treasury transactions. With an experienced team, led by Rob Fawke and Georgina Tripp , it handles both domestic and cross-border instructions. Real estate finance lawyer Jill Parker and Simon Baum are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Rob Fawke; Georgina Tripp
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
The banking team is unique because it comprises only of senior lawyers
The team is unique because of its accessibility – there is no hierarchy
Rob Fawke is extremely approachable, personable and helpful and he always makes time to talk through transactional issues.
Rob Fawke is very experienced, is a class act and is really top drawer; he has an excellent understanding of the wider picture of any transaction, and he is able to give clear, focused, detailed and practicable advice
Rob Fawke is very responsive, turns requests around quickly, and is commercial in his approach
Key clients
Santander UK
AIB Group (UK)
Israel Discount Bank
Secure Trust Bank
Tradebe Environmental Services Limited/Grupo Tradebe Medio Ambiente
Delek Group
Principality Building Society
Aldermore Bank
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank
Work highlights
- Advised AIB Group (UK) on the provision of loan facilities to Westward Capital Holdings for the purpose of financing the acquisition of Westward Care Homes, Access Housing and its subsidiaries.
- Acted for Leeds Building Society in its capacity as issuer in relation to the issuance of £200m callable fixed rate reset notes.
- Acted as English legal counsel for Grupo Tradebe Medio Ambiente SL and its English subsidiaries in relation to the amendment and extension of its global syndicated term loan facilities of €325m by a banking syndicate led out of Barcelona.
- Acted for Santander UK on the provision of loan facilities to Linley & Simpson, in conjunction with a £10m investment LDC.
- Acted for Santander UK on the restructuring of loan facilities of £19.5m to GRIF048 Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ground Rents Income Fund).
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP handles a range of banking and real estate finance mandates in the mid-market and SME sectors, and is strong on corporate finance transactions. The team, which is led by George MacMillan, is noted for its experience in acting for lenders and borrowers in debt finance transactions; and for its experience in advising property developers, investors and asset managers on real estate finance, and acting for banks on development finance mandates. The healthcare sector is a key area of focus.
Practice head(s):
George MacMillan
Other key lawyers:
Alison Kellett; Christopher Hardy; Jan Winstanley; Meave O’Neill
Testimonials
The knowledge of the team is first-class
The firm stands out because the client has a partner dealing with them rather than a junior colleague
The team puts the client first, makes it simple and delivers a first-class service
It has a strong commercial, problem-solving, focus; George MacMillan, Alison Kellett and Meave O’Neill are experienced problem solvers who provide quality and timely advice that enables the client to do business
George MacMillan is easily accessible; he picks up the phone to discuss rather than long email trails and he understands when transactions are urgent and strict deadlines need to be met
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP is a very forward thinking firm, with a clear focus on business development and generating reciprocal business
Turnaround times are second to none; it defines the term ‘trusted advisor’
Key clients
Atom Bank
Santander
Investec Bank
The Royal Bank of Scotland
Roma Finance
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP is best known for its specialist real estate finance expertise, and the team is also active across leveraged finance and general corporate lending mandates. The team, led by Liz Sweeney, regularly acts for banks, borrowers and large corporates and is active across the student accommodation, hotel, leisure, healthcare, infrastructure, education, energy, marine and retail sectors. It is increasingly instructed on offshore mandates, in addition to standard domestic banking and finance transactions. The 'brilliant' Tim McNamara is also a key figure.
Practice head(s):
Liz Sweeney
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
The team is quick to respond to enquiries and questions
A team of excellent communicators
Achieves tight deadlines without issue
Has a practical approach
Delivers a high level of professional service provided by experienced lawyers, as opposed to newly qualified lawyers
Liz Sweeney and Tim McNamara are stand out individuals
Key clients
Allied London
Select Property Group (Holdings)
Park Lane Properties
Mint Bridging
Lesmoir, Gordon-Boyle
Alliance Real Estate LLP
Greater Manchester Housing Fund
Assetz Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Allied London on a £300m funding partnership with Aviva for the development of Enterprise City at the new St John’s neighbourhood in Manchester.
- Advised Vita Satellite 2 and Vita Birmingham 1 (Select Property Group companies) on £54m senior funding from Lloyds Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, and £30m mezzanine funding from Pramerica Real Estate Capital to finance the acquisition and development of two luxury student accommodation schemes.
- Advised Select’s new brand Origin Homes on two separate facilities from challenger bank OakNorth Bank to fund its flagship purchase and development in Manchester.
- Advised Affinity Living Trinity on an initial £7m term facility from Close Brothers Property Finance to assist with refinancing existing indebtedness and funding the construction works of a 35-storey luxury apartment block.
- Acting for a leading UK clearing bank on initial facilities of £6.3m and on subsequent amendment and restatement to connected companies registered in England and the BVI for the purpose of refinancing an established property portfolio and acquiring a number of additional properties.
Browne Jacobson LLP
Browne Jacobson LLP is experienced across a range of acquisition finance, corporate banking, leveraged finance, property finance, asset based lending and debt restructuring mandates. The team, led by Jonathan Edwards , particularly stands out for its peer-to-peer lending expertise, the healthcare sector is also a key focus.
Practice head(s):
Jonathan Edwards
Testimonials
Jonathan Edwards is a very experienced banking and finance lawyer; he is a strong name in the Manchester market
Key clients
Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank
National Westminster Bank
Santander UK
HSBC Bank
Clydesdale Bank
Secure Trust Bank
Innospec Inc
Arlington Industries
Assetz Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Santander Structured Finance and Santander Asset Based Lending on the refinancing of its facilities to GRI UK Group (formerly the de Poel Group).
- Acted for NatWest on the refinancing of its £18m facilities to the Perspective Financial Group.
- Advised Santander UK on its facilities to assist the acquisition of BT Cables.
- Advised Clydesdale Yorkshire Bank on an accordion drawdown and group restructuring following the £40m Palatine backed secondary buyout of the Verdant Leisure Group.
- Advised Arlington Industries on the amendment and restatement of its £45m ABL facilities made available by Wells Fargo and Shawbrook.
Fieldfisher
Fieldfisher was recently bolstered by the arrival of Charlotte Round from Brabners LLP. The team acts for borrower clients, such as plcs and SMEs, and lenders, including a number of clearing banks, private banks and bridging funders. The Manchester-based team also handles real estate finance mandates.
Practice head(s):
Philip Abbott (London)
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
Charlotte Round is a talented individual and her arrival has enhanced the firm’s banking and finance offering in Manchester
Key clients
Lloyds Bank
Marlowe plc
Restore plc
Standard Chartered Bank
OakNorth Bank plc
Amicus Finance
Gusbourne plc
Jaywing plc
Santander UK plc
Bridgeco Limited (trading as Octopus Property)
Work highlights
- Advised Marlowe on its initial £30m (plus £15m accordion) of revolving facilities provided by National Westminster Bank and HSBC UK Bank.
- Advised the private banking arm of a leading international bank on its funding of £28m to assist in funding the £43m purchase of a property in Berkeley Square, Mayfair.
- Acted for Jaywing on the renewal of its facilities from Barclays Bank.
- Acted for Gusbourne on the renewal of its facilities with Barclays Bank.
- The firm acted for SUSD Victoria Avenue Limited on their development funding from OakNorth Bank plc, to be used to build housing in Finchley, London. The firm negotiated the facility and security documents, as well as an intercreditor deed dealing with deferred consideration.
Irwin Mitchell
Led by Dean Gormley , the team at Irwin Mitchell is instructed by lenders and borrowers on a range of commercial and corporate banking matters. Asset based lending, secured lending, leveraged and acquisition finance are key areas of expertise, as is real estate finance work where the team acts for sponsors and investors. The team is increasingly active in China-led mandates.
Practice head(s):
Dean Gormley
Other key lawyers:
Hayley Johnson
Testimonials
The team is very friendly and willing to give its time
The team has great knowledge of the ABL market
Dean Gormley and Hayley Johnson are excellent
Key clients
Select Property Group
Arora Group
HSBC
Lloyds Bank/ Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance
RBS/NatWest
Rothschild & Co
Arbuthnot Latham
Work highlights
- Acted for Heathrow T2 Hotel (part of the Arora Group) on the financing of a new hotel at Terminal 2, Heathrow.
- Advised Select Property Group on senior and mezzanine facilities, provided on a syndicated basis by Barclays Bank and Pramerica, regarding a major new student accommodation building (a 19 storey tower) in Leeds.
TLT
TLT 's banking and finance team is regularly instructed by banks and other financial institutions on complex real estate finance and social housing finance transactions. The team is also noted for its corporate lending practice, and the team acts for both lenders and borrowers. Department head Paul Crighton is a 'technically talented lawyer but combines this with personal charm and straightforward communication'.
Practice head(s):
Paul Crighton
Other key lawyers:
Paul Brock
Testimonials
The team is knowledgeable, diligent and capable and it produces high-quality work
Paul Crighton takes the time to find out what it is that the client really wants, and then works with that in mind
Paul Crighton does not shy away from a hard negotiation where required but executes transactions in a collaborative manner wherever possible
Paul Brock is highly recommended
Key clients
Lloyds Banking Group
HSBC Bank
Royal Bank of Scotland
Santander UK
The Co-operative Bank
Bank of Baroda
Work highlights
- Advised Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank on a £200m development financing loan for a new luxury Mandarin boutique hotel and 79 apartments in Mayfair.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Trowers & Hamlins LLP is best known for its property finance expertise and housing finance is a key area of strength for the department; the team acts for a range of clients on a range of mandates such as property investment finance, development finance, bridging finance and finance from institutional investors. Neil Waller heads the team which also includes the 'brilliant' Eleanor James .
Practice head(s):
Neil Waller
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
A strong banking and finance department with excellent experience in housing finance
The team acts quickly when instructed
The department is always on hand to pick up the telephone and deal with any issues or questions
Eleanor James is first-rate
Key clients
Peabody
L&Q
Orbit
Catalyst
Accent
Naissance Capital Real Estate
MHS
Work highlights
- Advised Greater Manchester Pension Fund on the provision of a mezzanine facility agreement to Select Property Group to finance the Circle Square residential development.
- Advised Peabody Trust on the refinancing of 417 legacy loan agreements into nine primary bank facilities.
- Advised Karbon on all aspects of its maiden £250m bond issue.
- Acted as UK counsel on a private placement for mhs homes.
- Advised Orbit Capital on its second bond issue.
Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP stands out for its experience in advising on the establishment of European Funds. The team is headed by the 'outstanding' Patricia Grinyer and acts for banks and borrowers on bilateral and syndicated facilities. It regularly handles public sector finance and is particularly strong in the education sector, while property finance is also a key area of expertise.
Practice head(s):
Patricia Grinyer
Testimonials
Patricia Grinyer is a fantastic lawyer and is well known for her experience in the establishment of funds
Key clients
Progressive Living
Bluesky
FSE
FRP Advisory
Santander
North West Fund European Fund
BCRS
Business Enterprise Fund
Allied Irish Bank
Work highlights
- Advised FSE on the establishment of the £40m Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund.
- Advised Business Enterprise Fund in connection with the establishment of the Community Investment Enterprise Fund.
- Advised BCRS on the establishment of the CIF fund.
- Advised AIB Bank on the £5m funding for the acquisition of a care home.
- Acted for GDS Holding on the transactions contemplated by a $7.5m secured senior credit facility agreement which was subject to the laws of the State of New York.