Allen & Overy, in association with leading local law firm Zeyad S. Khoshaim, has advised Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), the Gulf's largest utility company, on its first sukuk offered to US and other international investors in accordance with Rule 144A under the US Securities Act of 1933.

The deal, worth USD2 billion, is the largest Rule 144A sukuk out of the Middle East to date and consists of a 10 year series and an unprecedented 30 year series.

International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised leading global satellite operator SES on its debut $1bn Yankee bond. Consisting of $750m 3.6% notes due 2023 and $250m 5.3% notes due 2043, the transaction is reflective of strong activity levels in the Capital Markets, Freshfields itself having advised on eight deals*, with a combined value of almost US$6.3bn, in the last three weeks alone.

A team of HFW lawyers, led by Partner David Brookes, has advised Pareto Securities AS, as bond managers, and Norsk Tillitsmann ASA, as bond trustee, on a US$575m Norwegian high yield bond issued by Sea Trucks Group Limited.

Clifford Chance has advised Emirates NBD PJSC ("ENBD") in relation to the issuance of US$750 million 4.875 per cent. subordinated reset notes due 2023 (the "Notes") under its US$7.5 billion European Medium Term Note Programme. The issuance of the Notes took place on 28 March 2013 and comprise Tier II capital on ENBD's regulatory balance sheet. The Notes were admitted to trading on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and listed on NASDAQ Dubai.  Clifford Chance also advised ENBD in relation to the annual update of its European Medium Term Note Programme.

Hogan Lovells has advised ALSTOM Holdings in relation to its extension of a multi-currency revolving dual-tranche committed bonding guarantee facility until July 2016 for an increased amount from €8.275 billion to up to €9 billion.

As part of ALSTOM's ongoing corporate financing and the growing activity of the Group, the committed facility provides the financial framework to maximise the competiveness of ALSTOM's operations on a global scale.

Clyde & Co has advised Sea Trucks Group Ltd (“Sea Trucks”) on a landmark five-year US$575m Norwegian Bond issue, which was not only substantially oversubscribed, but also went from book closure to completion in 11 days.

Clyde & Co has advised Sea Trucks Group Ltd (“Sea Trucks”) on a landmark five-year US$575m Norwegian Bond issue, which was not only substantially oversubscribed, but also went from book closure to completion in 11 days.

Hong Kong: Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised China Minmetals Corporation on the issuance of RMB2.5 billion 3.65% bonds due 2016. This is the biggest single tranche bond among the five state-owned enterprises (SOEs) which have obtained approvals from the China National Development and Reform Commission (approved on a case by case basis) to directly issue RMB bonds offshore.

Slaughter and May is advising ISS, one of the world's leading facilities services companies, on its complex refinancing and extension of debt. On 4 March 2013, ISS requested a 3 year extension of DKK 18.6 billion worth of facilities which were set to mature in December 2014 and April 2015. Simultaneously, ISS sought lender consent for a number of amendments to its senior facilities intended to increase both operational and refinancing flexibility around the use of divestment proceeds as well as certain post-IPO flexibilities.

Paris Clifford Chance has advised leading banks (HSBC and Natixis) upon issuance by MACIF 250 million of subordinated notes due in 2023 bonds.

The bonds traded on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange March 8, 2013, are intended to be admitted under the solvency margin under the current rules of the Insurance Code and constitute own funds eligible tier 2 Solvency II in accordance with the transition mechanisms as currently defined.

Linklaters has advised Intu Properties plc, the UK’s leading shopping centre owner, on a £1.3bn multi-source refinancing. The proceeds, together with other available funds were used to refinance four of Intu’s flagship assets, including the Lakeside shopping centre.