Banking & Finance

"Karen Williams is excellent. She is always very straightforward to deal with and pragmatic."

Chambers UK 2024

"The support we got was excellent."

Chambers UK 2023

"Michelmores understand SMEs."

Legal 500 2023

Expert legal advice for the banking and finance sector

At Michelmores, we understand the nuances and complexities that our banking and finance clients face. We advise clients across the sector, from the UK’s largest banking corporations and finance houses, to borrowers in substantial lending transactions in domestic and cross-border financings.

We handle highly sensitive banking and finance matters that often span multiple jurisdictions. That’s why our experts offer both commercial and practical guidance to our clients. From unlocking growth to dealing with complex financial transactions, we provide our clients with cutting-edge legal expertise for the banking sector.

Collaborative banking expertise 

Our banking and finance specialists work collaboratively to build holistic guidance that keeps our clients ahead in this ever-changing landscape. We offer multi-sector expertise and have supported clients through matters ranging from the financial components of commercial property to corporate finance and infrastructure transactions.

We’ve developed specialist expertise in real estate finance, domestic and international impact investment, and public-private partnership projects. Our team includes nationally recognised solicitors with agricultural and farm finance specialism.

Our team of dedicated banking and finance lawyers equip clients with the knowledge and mechanisms they need to achieve their ambitions.

Recent experience

Advising the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) – the social impact investment arm of the Open Society Foundation – on its partnership with MedAccess, a UK-based social finance company, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to provide procurement guarantees to the COVAX Cost Sharing Mechanism, Gavi’s global COVAX vaccine distribution system.

Advising Proparco and Global Partnerships in connection with their participation as the first investors in a debt programme established by the international arm of the one of the world’s largest development organisations BRAC.

Advising in relation to the acquisition of a major hotel chain which included advising in relation to a $180m listed bond to fund the transaction and the target group’s senior secured facilities of circa £170m.

Acting on behalf of an international investment manager in connection with funding of £17m for the acquisition of a hotel portfolio. The revised facilities include a CLBILS facility in light of the COVID pandemic.

Advising development finance institutions, Finnfund and FMO, on debt facility to an East African sustainable forestry group.

Acting for a major hotel group in connection with the restructuring of c.£100m of debt and the subsequent assignment of its debt and equity to new investors.

Acting for the borrower in relation to the development and financing of a new 400-bed hotel and the negotiation of a hotel management agreement with premium international hospitality brand.

Advising St Austell Brewery in connection with its funding arrangements.

Advising Seasalt clothing in connection with its funding arrangements, including an investment by BGF.

Acting for Standard Bank on over 300 secured lending transactions, many involving multiple jurisdictions and complex security issues.

Advising international sports brand, in connection its funding for the refinance of a swimwear business and subsequent acquisition through a pre-pack insolvency sale.

Advising development/bridging finance lenders in connection with numerous debt investments into real estate development projects.

Banking & Finance Team

KEY CONTACTS
Karen Williams
Karen Williams
Partner
TEAM
Julie Sharpe
Julie Sharpe
Partner
Sally Rice
Sally Rice
Partner
Andrew Baines
Andrew Baines
Partner
Benn Richards
Benn Richards
Partner
Danielle Collett-Bruce
Danielle Collett-Bruce
Senior Associate
Hamish Scott
Hamish Scott
Solicitor
Luke Elstone
Luke Elstone
Solicitor
Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Solicitor