Cleaver Fulton Rankin holds a number of panel roles for major lenders and assists specialised lenders with asset finance transactions. The ‘commercial and pragmatic’ Stephen Cross leads the practice. He regularly provides banks with regulatory assistance and compliance advice on capital markets transactions and OTC derivative products. In August 2023, Sinead Stewart joined the team from A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP. Stewart specialises in corporate lending real estate finance, debt restructuring, among other areas.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Cleaver Fulton Rankin is a large firm covering all aspects of commercial law, yet it has retained an ability to relate positively to small and medium-sized clients.’
- 'Sinead Stewart has also been an excellent adviser on many commercial banking and finance issues and again has done so in a warm and friendly, down-to-earth manner which clients appreciate. She has also always been prompt to revert so that clients can be kept informed.'
‘The experience and knowledge that the team possess provides a great service to clients. They are also incredibly accessible and provide prompt responses to any queries you might have so that you are kept appraised and informed on all matters. People are what make a business, and for me that is what makes Cleaver Fulton Rankin excel against their competitors. ’
‘Sinead Stewart is an excellent solicitor who has worked on a number of cases I have managed, and she has gone above and beyond to ensure that all requests have been actioned with a sense of urgency. She keeps me appraised throughout the process and is always at the end of the phone should I have any queries that need answered, this ensuring I feel at ease and aware of what is going on.'
‘Cleaver Fulton Rankin are extremely helpful on transactions and consistently provide a high level of service and clear advice.’
‘Stephen Cross is excellent. He is commercial and pragmatic.’
‘Useful and professional team ’
Key clients
- Danske Bank
- HSBC Bank plc
- National Westminster Bank plc trading as Ulster Bank
- Bank of Ireland
- Close Brothers Asset Finance
- Federal Bank of India
- Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
- The Lycra Company
- BNP Paribas
- Cine-UK Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for Clanmil Housing Association in connection with its drawdown of a £100million facility.
- Advising shipbuilding and fabrication company Harland & Wolff in respect of extensions up to $100m to the Harland & Wolff Group facilities.
- Acted on the Northern Irish aspects for the Cineworld group of companies’ entry into a new financing package following their re-organisation.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Stephen Cross