There has been considerable focus over the last two or three years on the raising of new capital within both the life and non-life sectors and many insurers’ business plans have been affected by capital constraints.

Our International Capital Markets Practice is one of the largest legal teams in this field worldwide. We have been actively involved in all aspects of the international capital markets since the early 1960s, when we advised the managers of the issue which is widely regarded as the first ever eurobond issue. We advise on capital markets transactions (including in respect of US law issues) in all the key European and Asian financial centres and in New York.

On the derivatives side, our insurance team has advised many leading investment bank and insurance clients on the regulatory and other insurance considerations involved for both derivatives houses and insurers in the underwriting of credit default risk in a wide range of situations, and on the increased level of regulatory interest in developments in this area.

We also act for insurers, investment banks and other financial institutions in relation to the evolving area of the securitisation of insurance risk, and other insurance capital raising structures.