Slaughter and May advised Yuanta Commercial Bank Co., Ltd (YCB) on the Hong Kong regulatory aspects of its merger with Ta Chong Bank Ltd (TCB).
YCB and TCB, both incorporated in Taiwan, merged pursuant to a statutory merger under Taiwan law, with YCB being the surviving entity. The Taiwan merger was recognised in Hong Kong under the doctrine of universal succession.
Slaughter and May, Hong Kong, advised Swire Properties Limited on the first green bond issue by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Swire Properties MTN Financing Limited, of US$500 million 3.50% Guaranteed Notes due 2028. The Notes were issued under Swire Properties' US$4 billion Medium Term Note Programme. The Notes are guaranteed by Swire Properties Limited and are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has acted as foreign legal counsel to both Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SD Plantation) and Sime Darby Property Berhad (SD Property) and their affiliates in relation to the listing of the plantation and property business arms of Sime Darby Berhad (the former parent entity of SD Plantation and SD Property) on the Main Market of the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (the stock exchange of Malaysia).
International law firm Ashurst has advised Superstrada Pedemontana Veneta S.p.A. on a €1.57 billion bond issue to finance the construction of the Pedemontana Veneta toll road.
The bond issue, which closed on the 29 November 2017, is divided into two tranches: €1.221 billion, variable Rate (EONIA +1% undrawn, 5% drawn) Senior Secured Amortizing Notes due 2047; and €350 million 8% Subordinated Secured Notes due 2027 . Both tranches are listed on the Irish stock exchange in Dublin.
King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has advised Westfield Corporation on a A$32.76bn takeover offer by European shopping centre giant Unibail-Rodamco.
The combined group will have gross market value of €61.1bn ($95.43bn), creating a global property giant with 104 assets in 27 retail markets around the world.
Macfarlanes has advised the main investors in Queen's Park Rangers Football Club (QPR) in relation to the development of Oaklands South at Old Oak Common, London.
The development will consist of 605 new homes (40% social and affordable with the remainder being private for rent) and 40,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. The scheme demonstrates the growing interest in the build to rent sector in the UK and particularly within London.
The development will be undertaken in partnership with Genesis Housing Association with the main contractor being Galliford Try.
We advised Generali on the sale of Generali PanEurope which has operated in Ireland since 1999. The agreement will ultimately be worth around €286 million after Generali receives settlements for existing intercompany financing arrangements.
The transaction is part of the Group strategy to optimize its geographical footprint, increase its operational efficiency and improve capital allocation.
It is subject to, inter alia, regulatory approvals and is expected to be finalized during the first half of 2018.
International law firm Withers has advised the high-profile Mayor of Venice, Italy, Luigi Brugnaro, on the voluntary and innovative creation of what is believed to be the first blind trust-style structure to be established by an Italian politician. Ivan Sacks, Partner and Chairman of the firm, will also act as Trustee for the Brugnaro Blind Trust, which is being established under New York law.
PJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine was successful in securing a revision of the contract price effective from the second quarter of 2014 and the set-aside of take-or-pay claims in arbitration against Gazprom. This is one of the biggest commercial arbitrations ever.
National law firm Shoosmiths has advised on the management buy-out (MBO) of The Quarr Group, a leading provider of building maintenance and construction, contract cleaning and contract catering.
The Quarr Group has been acquired by its management team, who included Brian Warren, Nelson Williams and Simon Ingram; the Managing Directors of the Quarr Group's subsidiaries: Nviro, Pabulum and Mountjoy, respectively.