"Collas Crill is excellent. They're responsive, they provide sound legal advice....
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"Collas Crill is excellent. They're responsive, they provide sound legal advice. They're widely accessible, and their fees are extremely competitive," says one client.
The firm has been in expansionist mood this year with news that it plans to open a Singapore office coming just two months after the merger between Collas Day and Crill Canavan. Though the market is still waiting to see what impact the newly merged operation will make, there is scepticism over the initial impact it is likely to have in the Guernsey market, as one rival says: "I don't know if the merger makes that much difference to them in Guernsey."
The firm's expansion in Asia has seen partner Sean Cheong leave Guernsey to head up the firm's Singapore office, which will practice both Guernsey and Jersey law. The expansion responds to the demand from institutional and private clients in Asia for Channel Islands legal services, particularly in corporate, funds, and trusts.
In terms of deals one of the biggest last year saw partner Jason Romer working alongside Clifford Chance to advise Credit Suisse on the Guernsey aspects of a further financing loan and notes structures, worth $6 billion. The fund was raised to finance the Reynolds Group's acquisition of the Pactiv Corporation (PC), and PC's subsequent merger with the group's subsidiary.
In addition, Romer has also been involved in another notable deal with partner Chris Bound, advising on all aspects of the tidal turbines development of the Alderney Renewable Energy project. The deal gives the firm valuable experience in the renewable energy sector.
In the M&A market, partner Ian Kirk and Paul Wilkes acted for a UK property development group alongside SJ Berwin to acquire a £900 million portfolio of property holdings across the UK. The duo was again involved as the firm acted for the Intertrust Group's acquisition, which was worth £130 million.
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General market opinion suggests that newly merged Collas Crill is still some way behind the top firms in terms of funds work. "We saw Ozannes a lot, Carey a lot, Collas a little bit," says one competitor....
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General market opinion suggests that newly merged Collas Crill is still some way behind the top firms in terms of funds work. "We saw Ozannes a lot, Carey a lot, Collas a little bit," says one competitor.
In line with the market, partners Jason Romer and Paul Wilkes advised on a $100 million GoldenPeaks fund migrating to Guernsey. The move allowed the Cayman fund structure to meet Guernsey investors' requirements and align with the domicile of the manager.
On top of that, the duo also helped Meteor Asset Management to establish a $500 million bond fund as a Q-scheme, which is a rarity in recent times in the jurisdiction.
Wilkes was involved in another notable deal as the firm acted for Innovatis PCC Guernsey in relation to its €111 million share listing on the Channel Islands Stock Exchange, issued by one of Innovatis' cells OFX strategy fund.
Another outstanding deal saw partner Sean Cheong (who has recently moved to Singapore) act for The Red Fort Partnership to set up an open-ended fund structure, investing in companies operating in gold and metals industry.
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