Gide advises Michelin on the creation of Fives Michelin Additive Solutions, a joint venture that will be 50% owned by Michelin and 50% owned by Fives, aimed at developing and marketing industrial machines and production shops on a global scale using the "metal additive manufacturing" technology - commonly known as metal 3D printing.

Debevoise & Plimpton is advising Standard Chartered as it enters into a 15-year distribution partnership with Manulife, providing Manulife the exclusive right to offer its Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) product to Standard Chartered’s customers in Hong Kong. Manulife will also acquire Standard Chartered’s existing MPF and Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (ORSO) businesses, and the related investment management entity.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2016, subject to the receipt of relevant regulatory approvals.

Tortilla, the Quilvest-backed fast-casual Mexican restaurant concept, has signed a franchising deal with Dubai-based Eathos to open more than 30 stories across the GCC in the next 10 years.

Bird & Bird's Franchising, Licensing and Multi-Channel strategies team advised Tortilla on its strategic entry and expansion across the GCC.

Clifford Chance today announces that it advised Marshall Wace, a leading global liquid alternatives manager, on its long-term strategic partnership with KKR announced earlier today.

Under the terms of the agreement made between them, KKR will acquire at closing, expected later this year, a 24.9% interest in Marshall Wace for an undisclosed sum through a combination of cash and KKR common units.  In addition, KKR and Marshall Wace each has the option to grow KKR’s ownership interest in Marshall Wace over time to 39.9%.

Clifford Chance has advised Thai Union Frozen Products PCL, the world’s leading seafood processor, on its seafood joint venture with Savola Foods Company.

Jason Mendens, Corporate partner said “We are extremely pleased to work with Thai Union on this important joint venture that combines the global resources and expertise of Thai Union with the regional resources and expertise of the Savola Foods Company."

Irwin Mitchell’s Real Estate Department has advised Ellandi, the UK’s leading community shopping centre investor, on its new joint venture with The Bridges Property Alternatives Fund III, managed by specialist sustainable and impact investor Bridges Ventures (“Bridges”). The new JV plans to build a portfolio of community shopping centres.

The London and Hong Kong offices of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP have advised Nereus Capital on its joint venture (JV) with Hareon Solar and Treasury Group, creating Nereus Capital Investments Singapore Pte Ltd.

The JV will invest in solar projects in India. It will develop, build and operate approximately 32 MW of PV projects through wholly owned project companies in India. The projects are expected to begin commercial operations by the end of 2015. Upon completion, the projects will generate approximately 52 million units of electricity per year.

Sidley lawyer Mark Thompson acted for two of Sweden’s leading pension funds, Forsta AP-Fonden (AP1) and Andra AP-Fonden (AP2) on the formation of a joint venture with Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA). The newly formed investment vehicle, ‘Cityhold Office Partnership,’ will own and purchase commercial real estate in Western Europe. The initial platform, valued at €2.2 billion, will be seeded with properties owned by the joint venture parties, which comprise 250,000 square metres of office space across the UK, France and Germany.

In May and August 2015, Monsanto announced that it had made private proposals to Syngenta’s board of directors for a business combination of Monsanto and Syngenta, which were rejected by Syngenta. Lenz & Staehelin advised Monsanto in relation to its proposals.

The team included Rudolf Tschäni, Hans-Jakob Diem and Simone Ehrsam (corporate) and Jean-Blaise Eckert and Pascal Hinny (tax).

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Real Estate and Corporate team have advised on a major deal involving former Manchester United stars Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs which will see the creation of a landmark new mixed use scheme in Manchester city centre.
 
Alongside Brendan Flood and Manchester City Council, Neville and Giggs are part of the Jackson’s Row Development Partnership, which has signed a funding agreement with Rowsley and Beijing Construction and Engineering Group (BCEG) to develop a scheme in St Michael’s Manchester.