Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s ’highly motivated’ team is routinely instructed by banks, export credit agencies, lessors, arrangers and airlines in high-profile, multijurisdictional financing transactions in the aviation and maritime sectors. The group is active in financings involving export credit agencies, Japanese Operating Leases (JOLs and JOLCOs), sale and leasebacks and Chinese leasing structures. Lizzie Roe, who oversees the Singapore-based team, is a specialist in project, asset and structured finance in the maritime sector, where she acts for financial institutions, sponsors, lessors, owners and operators. Charles Viggers, a key contact for banks, lessors, arrangers and export credit agencies, and Richard Williams, who attracts regular engagements from banks, lessors, investors and airlines, specialise in aviation finance and leasing, while Andrew Nimmo is noted for his work in the shipping and offshore industries.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The team understood commercial drivers to develop a suitable solution, providing a detailed explanation of processes and requirements. Very responsive, flexible and delivered on time.’
‘Charles Viggers and his team, notably Anmol Gill, were very efficient, and able to respond to all queries in a clear and concise manner, with excellent explanations and adapting to changes.’
‘Friendly and approachable team who are highly motivated and keen to make an impression. Good level of partner involvement in matters and commercially focused advice.’
‘Charles Viggers is always completely in the detail and is in his element thinking through and advising on complex proposals, such as in our case, merging several transactions into one. He was also almost constantly available across European and Asian time zones and supported by an able associate bench.’
'A very experienced team. Most team members have a wealth of experience.'
'The individuals are very down to earth and approachable.'
Key clients
- UK Export Finance
- China Aircraft Leasing Corporation
- BNPP
- Maldivian
- China Aircraft Leasing Corporation
- Natixis
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Avolon
- Bank Of China Aviation
- Avation
- CACIB
- BNP
Work highlights
Advised ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch in its role as arranger, facility agent, security agent and lender on a $50m term loan facility for Tank Container Investment Fund Pte. Ltd. (“TCIF”) as borrower.
Acted for Financial Partners Group Co., Ltd.(FPG) as equity provider on an equity only JOLCO with Stena North Sea Limited (a subsidiary of Stena AB (publ)) as charterer/seller in relation to the purchase of two (2) RoRo Passenger Ferry vessels for $100m.
Advised UKEF (as lead ECA) and the ECA lenders on CALC’s substitution of 3 x Airbus A320 aircraft on lease to Air India with 1 x A321 aircraft leased to a US carrier.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Lizzie Roe
Practice head
Lizzie Roe
Other key lawyers
Charles Viggers; Richard Williams; Andrew Nimmo; Yue Ma; Andy Wilson