Banking and finance

Walkers

Walkers is as adept in acquisition financing as it is with fund and asset finance transactions. The group has particular expertise in structuring financing for aircraft, and financing for real estate acquisitions. Heading the team are Zoë Hallam, a fund finance specialist noted for her expertise in NAV facilities, and Kim Paiva, whose practice centres on asset finance but who also advises on leveraged finance deals and real estate financing. The latter areas are key areas of focus for Alex Wickens, who also provides expertise on Islamic finance structures.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team is very knowledgeable and experienced, and extremely responsive. They are a pleasure to work with and approachable. They have an excellent working relationship with 2-REG Guernsey aircraft registry, which is very useful for any practical input.’
‘Kim Paiva is always a pleasure to deal with and I never hesitate to pick up the phone to her if I need to check something or need a quick response.’
‘Alex Wickens, Kim Paiva and Zoë Hallam all very strong transaction lawyers and our go-to for banking transactions. Knowledgeable and easy to work with.’
‘The team is proactive, commercial and responsive.’
‘The team does the basics really, really well: consistently excellent product, very efficient, always highly responsive.’
‘Zoë Hallam is my go-to adviser for Guernsey law banking matters. She has a gift for simplifying complex areas of law in her advice. On transactions she and her team always deliver.’
‘Kim Paiva is warm, personable and always available and helpful - very important when closing a deal and needing local counsel input often on short notice and with unreasonable deadlines.’
‘I was in a pickle - up against a deadline needing Guernsey legal support with 3 days to go from scratch - Kim Paiva and the Walkers support teams delivered the goods with time to spare. With extensive aircraft finance experience, they dealt with all the issues efficiently and effortlessly - a true Rolls-Royce service.’

Key clients

Investec Bank
Rocket Properties
Falko Regional Aircraft Limited
ACIA Aero
SigmaRoc Group
Ares Management

Work highlights

Advised the SigmaRoc Group in relation to its c. €1bn debt financing with Banco Santander and BNP Paribas to partially fund its acquisition of CRH plc’s European lime and limestone quarry businesses.
Acted for Investec Bank Limited and ACIA Aero Leasing Limited in relation to a novel master revolving credit facility.