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Sub practice
Sub practice

Asset Finance

Our Structured and Asset Finance practice is a recognised leader for its ability to structure complex transactions.

But we also have extensive experience at other levels and across all sectors of the asset finance industry. Whatever we’re handling, our lawyers have the breadth and depth of experience to help our clients find the most commercially beneficial way to structure a deal.

We advise on both domestic and cross-border asset financings including all types of debt, lease (both tax- and non-tax-based, including UK tax leasing, Spanish operating tax leases, Japanese operating leases) export credit and capital markets driven products, securitisations, receivables financings, vendor programmes and retail finance. Our lawyers help clients to buy and sell leasing companies and portfolios of assets, and structure regional and global leasing business networks. They also advise on aircraft repossessions and have  extensive experience on airline and ship restructurings and insolvencies.

We act for banks, financiers, airlines, lessors, manufacturers, captive finance companies, operators, borrowers, lessees, export credit agencies, and governmental and international organisations.

With a range of experts throughout our worldwide network, we’re able to cover all types of vessel and offshore installation from LNG carriers and drilling rigs to VLCCs and luxury yachts. Similarly, we advise on the full range of aircraft financing including all types of pre- and post-delivery financings, ECA backed financing, operating leases, sale and purchase of new and used aircraft and structured financing, and give advice on general aviation matters such as regulatory and maintenance. Our expertise in domestic and cross-border asset financings covers everything from rail, manufacturing plants, water treatment facilities and pipelines to vehicle fleets, mining equipment, films, satellites and computer hardware/software. 

We have a track record for advising clients on transactions that become market firsts and award winners, helping us to cement our position at the forefront of the market.

News and insights

Close up of a red metal structure

Publications: 27 February 2024

EU sanctions and the no re-export to Russia requirements

The EU has extended the scope of its sanctions against Russia by requiring EU parties that are selling or leasing aircraft to most countries outside the EU to prohibit the re-export of those aircraft…

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Skyscrapers buildings dusk

Publications: 06 September 2023

Private Markets 2023 – let’s check the pulse!

As we approach the half way point in 2023, it's time to take stock of developing trends in private markets and what it could mean for the future. Our Funds and Asset Management Partner, Kamar Jaffer,…

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Aerial view of a road

Publications: 31 May 2023

Great Fund Insights: Asset managers in the Middle East gear up for a busy time

Despite challenges around fundraising and heightened investor and regulatory scrutiny in an uncertain economic climate, alternative asset managers in the Middle East are continuing to have a busy…

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Buildings

Publications: 04 January 2023

Great Fund Insights podcast: New Year, New Regulation - What does the funds and asset management regulatory landscape look like as we enter 2023?

In this podcast, Hilaire Bedier, Codrina Constantinescu and Emma Danforth discuss some of the key regulatory changes on the horizon which asset managers and funds should have on their radar as we move…

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Recognition 

Our experience

A global aviation services company

A global aviation services company

A global aviation services company on the Pre Delivery Payment financing, purchase, leasing and long term financing of five Boeing 787 aircraft leased to Gulf Air. Middle Eastern Leasing Deal of the Year, Airline Economics 2018 and Operating Lease Deal of the Year, Airfinance Journal 2017.
AFIC Insurer Group

AFIC Insurer Group

  • The AFIC insurer group on the financing of two Boeing 777 freighter aircraft on lease to Turkish Airlines. This was the first AFIC supported transaction to include a tax lease structure. Tax lease Deal of the Year, Airfinance Journal 2017.
  • The AFIC insurer group in relation to their establishment and the ground breaking financing of six Boeing 737MAX 8 aircraft for Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA. This involved developing a pioneering new structure which uses private insurance cover for the financing of aircraft in place of EXIM/ECA guarantees. This was the first EMEA AFIC transaction and the first to use English law. Editors’ Deal of the Year for Innovation, Airline Economics 2017.
Aldus aviation

Aldus aviation

Aldus Aviation on their acquisition by Nordic Aviation Capital. European M&A Deal of the Year.
BNP Paribas Bpifrance, SACE and US Bank

BNP Paribas Bpifrance, SACE and US Bank

BNP Paribas Bpifrance, SACE and US Bank on the world’s first Euro denominated, ECA-backed bond issuance for ATR aircraft for Avianca.
BOC Aviation

BOC Aviation

BOC Aviation on their USD1.5bn bond issuance. Asia Pacific Deal of the Year.
Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific on a $350m secured revolving credit facility. Editors’ Deal of the Year, Airfinance Journal 2017.
Coral FLNG

Coral FLNG

Coral FLNG: The Lenders on the project financing of a FLNG vessel to be moored in the Area 4 Coral South Offshore Basin, Mozambique. Midstream Oil & Gas Deal of the Year 2017, IJ Global; Middle East and Africa O&G Deal of the Year 2017, PFI; Export Project Finance Deal of the Year 2017, GTR and ECA-Backed Energy Deal of the Year 2017, TXF.
Dubai Islamic Bank

Dubai Islamic Bank

Dubai Islamic Bank, The Saudi National Commercial Bank, The Saudi Investment Bank, Arab National Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Arab Banking Corporation, Alinma Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC National Commercial Bank (Saudi Arabia) and Gulf International Bank across five different syndicated financing facilities for the Ijara financing of thirty A320 and twenty A330 aircraft to IAFC for lease to Saudi Arabia Airlines. This was Saudia’s largest aircraft leasing transaction and the largest aviation deal to date to be secured by Islamic financing.
Floreat Aviation Fund

Floreat Aviation Fund

Floreat Aviation Fund in relation to setting up its fund and securitisation programme focussed on the aviation sector with its first issuance of up to US$175m of notes for the financing of a portfolio of aircraft. Aviation ABS Deal of the Year.
Stellwagen

Stellwagen

Stellwagen on the innovative structured Islamic sale/lease back of an A380 for Emirates. Middle East & Africa Deal of the Year Innovative Deal of the Year.
THY

THY

THY on their first Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate (EETC) issuance for a Turkish Airline. EETC Deal Of The Year.
UKEF

UKEF

  • UKEF on the financing of two Boeing 787-7 aircraft to LOT Polish Airlines. This was the first UKEF guaranteed financing for Boeing aircraft. Export Credit Deal of the Year, Airfinance Journal 2017.
  • UKEF and Credit Agricole in relation to the financing of six Boeing 787-9 aircraft to Norwegian Air Shuttle, including three by way of JOLCO financing. The first JOLCO financing won European Deal of the Year, Airline Economics 2017 and JOLCO financing Deal of the Year, Global Transport Finance 2017.
  • UKEF on the aircraft finance and Islamic structuring aspects of the world’s first UKEF Sukuk for Emirates involving the purchase of Airbus A380-800 aircraft. This was also the largest ECA-supported capital markets offering in the aviation space. Middle East Deal of the Year.