Macau SAR

CFB Lawyers is a full-service law firm located in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The firm was founded in 2021 by former Manuela António lawyers and local notaries partners Hugo Maia Bandeira, Bernardete Fan and Victor Castro. CFB Lawyers integrated the Asociación Europea De Abogados international lawyers network in 2023 as the member for the Macau SAR.

Focusses / specialisms

One of the firm’s specialties is advising on financing transactions. In little over a year, CFB has assisted in the issuance of bonds on the Chongwa (Macao) Financial Asset Exchange Co. and the Singapore Exchange. The firm also covers practice areas including capital markets, corporate and M&A. Active industry sectors include aviation, gaming, real estate and construction.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, ICBC International Securities, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, Bank of Communications, China Construction Bank Corporation and China Everbright Bank.

Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period, the firm kept busy with transactions related to capital markets, project finance, structured finance, real estate finance, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions.

The firm was active providing legal services to clients in acquisitions, bond/note programmes, bond/note exchange offers, secondary share offerings, and financing transactions for clients in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Singapore and UAE. The firm also assisted clients with the issuance of Sofr bonds in Macau in a bid to support Macau’s role as an economic platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau)’s issuance of $250 million (MOP2 billion) worth of Sofr bonds in Macau.

Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

Banking

“They have been professional, efficient and hard-working.”

“They are very responsive, proactive, experienced and knowledgeable.”

Capital markets

“Extremely knowledgeable of the jurisdiction and gaming industry. Incredibly efficient on their response time. Focused on detail and fully commercially orientated.”

“Responsive, professional and knowledgeable in their field.”

M&A

“They are an experienced and dynamic team, very knowledgeable of Macau SAR market law environment, which enables them to duly assist us on our admin and legal challenges and issues.”

Hugo Maia Bandeira

“Professional, efficient and hard-working.”

“In-depth knowledge of jurisdiction and industry. Extremely efficient. Always available to respond.”

“Market knowledge and ability to read and understand customers' needs.”

Victor Castro

“Very pleasant to work with, amicable, professional, available and proactive.”

“Professional, efficient and hard-working.”

“Responsive, professional and knowledgeable.”

DSL Lawyers is an independent Macanese firm that was established in 2007 by four partners. The firm is the exclusive Macau member of the World Services Group, a global network of professional business services providers, and a member of the Portuguese-speaking countries partnership lead by PLMJ.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is traditionally known for its strength in banking and finance with extensive knowledge of practice areas including mergers & acquisitions, stock listings and IPOs, regulatory advice and general legal assistance to new Macau businesses or restructuring, property and conveyance, and complex civil and commercial litigation cases. It is also a popular choice for international and regional law firms seeking Macanese counsel such as Baker McKenzie, Linklaters, Mayer Brown, Allen & Gledhill and Deacons.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Shun Tak Holdings, China Citic Bank International and MGM China Holdings.

Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period, the firm was active advising on capital markets, banking and finance, and financial regulatory transactions.

The firm’s finance team kept busy with financing and regulatory-related works advising local and overseas commercial banks, international financial organisations, insurance companies and investment banking firms. Active industry sectors including gaming, construction and infrastructure, and TMT.

Manuela Antonio - Lawyers and Notaries is a firm of lawyers and notaries based in Macau SAR. The practice was founded in 1986 by long-time resident Manuela António and has since grown to be among one of the leading firms in the market. The firm has a joint venture with Portuguese law firm SRS Advogados and is currently in a joint venture with Jingsh Law Firm to set up a law firm in Hengqin.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is particularly strong in finance and active in the gaming and financial services sectors. The firm regularly advises companies and individuals based in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, the US, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, among many others.

Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period, the firm has been engaged in a range of finance and refinancing mandates for shipping, engineering, investment holding, commercial offshore and manufacturing companies as well as in aviation. The firm also kept busy providing legal services in relation to corporate restructurings and financial services regulatory works.

Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

Banking

“Prompt and detailed response.”

“Quick turnaround and highly responsive. Reasonable fee charge. The team pays high attention to details.”

“They are responsive.”

“Good responsive, in-depth explanation, good follow-up, willing to provide feedback for additional enquiry.”

André Sant'Ana Marques

“Speedy response.”

“Very responsive, willing to provide feedback on extra enquiry, and strong knowledge in the field.”

Daniel da Silva e Melo

“Daniel is responsive and responsible. He also has a good understanding of corporate clients and banks. When facing issues, he can suggest alternatives and offer great help to solve matters.”

Miguel Su

“Miguel is responsive.”

Rato Ling Lei & Cortes (Lektou) is a Macau-based law firm with roots dating to the 1980s under the legacy of Gonçalves Pereira & Rato. The firm has offices in mainland China (Hengqin, Shenzhen) in partnership with Chinese firm Zhong Yin Law Firm and Fongs Law Firm of Hong Kong, and Portugal. The firm has also joined the global network the Miranda Alliance, which has offices in all Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a strong reputation in the equity capital markets, particularly with regard to Hong Kong listings, and is also active in regulatory and gaming matters. Active practice areas include financial and corporate, gaming, M&A, capital markets, dispute resolution, real estate, IT, insurance and regulatory.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Luso International Banking, Messerschmitt Systems, Bank of China, Macau Branch, ITG Holding Investment (HK), Agricultural Bank of China, MUFG Bank and Micro Connect.

Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period, the firm has been very active advising clients in relation to transactions in the capital markets, and banking and finance, and provided legal services to financial regulatory mandates.

In the capital markets, the firm often advised issuers and underwriters in relation to IPOs, share capital increase, private placement of bonds, investment grade bond issuance and greed bonds. The corporate team kept busy advising the buy side in public acquisitions.

The firm’s finance team advised local and international clients in various financial transactions as well as regular legal advice to local and international banking, finance and insurance entities. The firm also kept busy providing legal services in relation to financial services regulatory work.

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

ITG Holding Investment (HK)’s issuance of $200 million guaranteed bonds due 2023.

Agricultural Bank of China Macao Branch's issuance of MOP1 billion ($124 million) notes due 2023.

Zhangzhou Transportation Development Group Co.’s issuance of $175 million bonds due 2023.

Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

Banking

“I had the pleasure of working with Rato Ling Lei & Cortés recently, and I was truly impressed by their professionalism throughout the entire process. They displayed a remarkable level of expertise and attention to detail, which was evident in their thorough research, insightful advice and strategic approach to the case. Their dedication to their clients and their work was truly outstanding, and I have no doubt that they are one of the best in their field. It was a privilege to work with such talented and committed professionals, and I would recommend them to anyone seeking legal representation.”

Financial services regulatory

“They are responsive and professional.”

Calvin Tinlop Chui

“Mr. Chui showed a deep understanding of the law and was able to provide me with clear and concise advice that helped me navigate a complex legal situation. Mr. Chui was always responsive and dedicated to my case, going above and beyond to ensure that my legal needs were met. What stood out to me about lawyer Chui was his commitment to delivering results for his clients, and his willingness to work tirelessly on my case. Mr. Chui truly is an exceptional lawyer and I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking legal assistance.”

Pedro Cortés

“Knowledgeable and well-connected.”

Riquito Advogados is an independent Macanese law firm with offices in Macau and Portugal. The firm has a good relationship with Herbert Smith Freehills and has an association with Portuguese law firm AAA Advogados.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is strong in corporate and contract law, M&A, re-financing, real estate, foreign investment and aviation, and has recently been developing its intellectual property and gaming practice. It is also well known for assisting in large and complex transactions and projects involving the leading conglomerates with interests in Macau SAR and in Portugal, being retained on a daily basis in major cross-border operations.

Key clients

Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period, the firm continued to be occupied in the corporate, capital markets and restructuring areas.

The firm was active handling mandates regarding restructuring and concessions works for domestic and overseas companies. The capital markets team was also involved in share capital increase transactions. Active industry sectors include gaming, transportation, hospitality and real estate.

The firm expanded the team with the hiring of senior consultant Francisco Trigueiros da Cunha and consultant Kimberley Cheong.

Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

Banking

“Incredibly talented problem solvers. I have admired their work for years and we consider them an extension of our company because they act as part of our company and not external counsel. They live our problems and success and have been by our side the whole way.”

M&A

“Riquito is very bright, pragmatic and responsive.”

Restructuring

“Detailed. Familiarity with Macanese law. Creative thinking. Defends client’s interest in drafting of terms and documents.”

Bruno Almeida

“Bruno is simply brilliant as a person and a lawyer. He is the most impressive lawyer I ever saw under 40. Bruno is our head of counsel, and we consider him an extension of our team. Bruno is incredibly intelligent, highly ethical and the hardest-working lawyer I ever met. I strongly recommend Bruno Almeida.”

Daniel de Senna Fernandes

“Daniel is a rising star at Riquito Advogados. We have had the pleasure to work with him in the past few years and he has been an incredible support to us, and his colleagues work with us. I have no doubts Daniel will quickly rise in the ranks and be recognised for his personal and professional qualities. He is a protege of Bruno Almeida.”

João Nuno Riquito

“Very bright, pragmatic and responsive.”

“Competent, dedicated, client-orientated, creative thinking in solving problems.”

C&C Lawyers Ltd is one of the leading law firms in Macau Special Administrative Region. Established in 1996, C&C was formed by two founding partners Rui José da Cunha and António Correia, together with Nuno Sardinha da Mata and Carlos Duque Simões. Apart from the firm’s headquarters in Macau, it has offices in association with law firms in Portugal, Timor-Leste, Cabo Verde and China. The firm has also been in cooperation with Dentons Zhuhai since 2021.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has extensive expertise in corporate and commercial, banking and finance, bankruptcy and restructuring areas. The firm regularly provides legal advice to banks and financial institutions, covering all kinds of operations, products and financial instruments including project finance, structured products, guarantees and letters of credit, derivatives, mortgages, setting up and commercialisation of investment funds, consumer credit and classic financing.

Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

The firm kept busy in banking and finance, corporate, and restructuring and insolvency practices. Active industry sectors include real estate, gaming, energy, healthcare, TMT, insurance and transportation.

The firm’s banking team consistently provides legal services in the regulatory compliance area, also in banking, real estate and trade financing.

In capital markets, the firm have broad experience in advising on IPOs and fundraising in in foreign stock exchanges, such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Apart from that, the team also provides legal advice on derivative transactions such as ISDA and GMRA involving Macau entities.

The firm’s corporate work includes assistance on incorporations, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, stock exchange transactions, bankruptcies and insolvencies.

Established in 2005, Nuno Simões & Associados is a Macau based law firm. It is a part of the CRA Global network of law firms located in Portuguese speaking jurisdictions.

Focusses / specialisms

In terms of banking and finance the firm advises local and international clients in financing transactions like facility loans, credit facilities and restructuring.

M&A work sees the firm advise buyers in cross border transactions.

Key clients

Notable clients for the firm include, KKR, Credit Suisse Singapore and Armstrong Teasdale.

Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)

M&A

"Exceptionally knowledgeable in the area of the Macau M&A procedures. Very attentive and prompt in replying to conversations and questions."