Shoosmiths LLP‘s banking and finance team advises clients on a range of matters throughout the practice area. The group offers specialist advice on asset-based lending, leveraged and acquisition finance work, as well as general corporate banking and real estate finance matters. Furthermore, the team offers niche experience in the drafting of bank standard documentation, education finance matters, and pensions finance work. Jon Bew leads the Birmingham office, as well as acting as national head of the asset-based lending team, and area in which Natalie Barnes also has notable experience. In the real estate finance sector, David Adams has particular experience, often collaborating with the firm’s real estate experts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team works incredibly efficiently and in a cost-effective manner whilst ensuring all deliverables are met and are of a high standard.’

  • ‘Nat Barnes is impressive to work with and manages her team very effectively to ensure a great balance of partner support and expertise in a cost-efficient manner.’

  • ‘What stands out for me is the ability/willingness of the Shoosmiths team to pick up the baton and help get transactions over the line in a collaborative manner. It's often finding acceptable middle ground solutions whilst still given the lender the protections within our documentation. Excellent.’

  • ‘I think the primary thing for me is their availability to discuss matters - I need that as there are always legal issues that crop up and I need to run through thought processes to find equitable solutions - Shoosmiths are first class in that regard. There are also points in time where we need to move quickly - the team are able to step up the pace when required.’

  • ‘They are always approachable in their manner but professional in how they conduct themselves. They provide support and crucial recommendations to challenges rather than a standard 'its a commercial decision' for us to make without any guidance/rationale.’

  • ‘Jon Bew - Friendly, expert knowledge, highly professional in his approach. Always helpful in preliminary processes and happy to be involved at the partner level when required. Nat Barnes - very much the same as Jon.’

Key clients

  • Shawbrook Bank Limited
  • Aurelius Finance Company Limited
  • IGF Business Credit Limited
  • HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited
  • Hilco Capital
  • Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending Limited
  • ABN AMRO Asset Based Finance N.V., UK Branch
  • Investec Bank Plc
  • Ultimate Finance Limited
  • SME Invoice Finance Limited
  • Baker Estates Limited
  • Mustand Investments Limited

Work highlights

Advised Investec Bank PLC on facilities provided to the Coach Travel Group, enabling it to acquire seven coach companies.
Acting for Ultimate Finance on the restructuring of its back-to-back facilities with Lloyds and NatWest.
Acting for HSBC on its first Sustainable Improvement Facilities to Eland Cables.

Lawyers

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Leading partners

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Practice head

Jon Bew

Other key lawyers

David Adams; Natalie Burns