Macfarlanes has advised weekly news, business and politics journal The Economist on its move from 25 St James’s Street, SW1 to establish new editorial headquarters at the iconic Adelphi building, WC2.
The art deco building has recently been refurbished by its owner, investment firm Blackstone. The Economist has signed a 15-year lease to occupy 26,000 sq ft on the sixth floor, with exclusive access to a private terrace.
Simmons & Simmons has advised Abu Dhabi Financial Group on the establishment of Goldilocks Investment Company Limited (“Goldilocks”), the first fund incorporated in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, the international financial centre in Abu Dhabi.
Goldilocks is an open-ended constructive activist fund and the firm helped Abu Dhabi Financial Group, a leading investment group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, to structure this one of a kind fund and its management arrangements and assisted with liaising with the Abu Dhabi Global Market regulator.
Watson Farley & Williams ("WFW") has been retained by the Polish Ministry of Environment to provide advice in relation to the interpretation of certain contractual aspects of its AAU (Assigned Amount Unit) sale agreements with various other European countries.
The agreements were signed by Poland with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which was acting on behalf of the European countries in question. They will enable the Polish Government to foster projects to reduce CO2 emissions and develop green technologies.
Bird & Bird is advising the Micro:bit Educational Foundation on future plans for the successful digital education tool, the micro:bit, launched earlier this year by Foundation member, BBC Learning. The firm advised pro bono on setting up a Not-For-Profit organisation, and ensuring it has the rights in place to take the micro:bit product forward.
Gide was selected, alongside law firms Allens (Australia) and Morrison & Foerster (United States), to assist DCNS with Australia’s future submarine programme.
Gide is fully committed to DCNS and its partners to offer technological supremacy to the Australian Navy, so that it may be independent in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of its future submarines.
On October 5, 2016 the contracts for the new rapid transit railway of transport associations Verkehrsverband Rhein-Ruhr and Zweckverband Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe were solemnly signed in Hamm. Stadler Pankow and DB Regio for the vehicles as well as ABELLIO and KEOLIS for operation will be the parties to the contract. The new high-performance rapid-transit railways will be operating from 2019.
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek advised VRR on awarding the contracts in the mid-three-digit million range.
Haavind has assisted in establishing Instabank, an on-line bank with a focus on unsecured consumer loans.
Haavind has been involved in all aspects of the process, from first discussions and negotiations between founders and initial investors, completion of a NOK 240 million capital increase, to receipt of banking license and start of banking operations in September 2016. ABG Sundal Collier and SR Bank Markets were Joint Global Manager for the equity increase, which was substantially over-subscribed.
The team was led by corporate partner Thomas Tschentscher, alongside corporate counsel Danielle Herrmann and litigation counsel Karin Geissl
Orrick’s Paris team is advising the Government of Madagascar on the creation of a new agency to spark economic investment in the country. This development comes just after approval this summer by the International Monetary Fund of an extended credit facility to help reinforce macroeconomic stability and boost sustainable and inclusive growth.
Dechert LLP advised the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia on the successful conclusion of negotiations with Anaklia Development Consortium LLC for the Anaklia Black Sea Deep Water Port Project. The two sides signed an investment agreement on October 3, 2016 providing for a first phase of US$580 million and a potential total investment of US$2.5 billion.