Norton Rose Fulbright’s team continues to be prominent within the region’s aviation, shipping, and offshore industries. Able to draw on its expansive Asian and global networks, the team consistently advises lessors, lessees, financiers, and manufacturers on a range of high-value transactions including acquisitions of aircraft and aviation equipment and portfolio management, often acting for high-profile financial institutions and major regional airliners. Its shipping team acts act as a regional hub offering a wide range of capabilities. Aviation industry veteran, Keith Sandilands, and Ben Rose, renowned for his shipping and offshore expertise, jointly lead the practice. Sue Ann Gan is recommended for ship financing and litigation. Edward Bentley, a regular advisor to lessors, banks, and export credit agencies, Chloe Goodwin, who focuses on aviation transactions, and Sophie Polisena are also noted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Norton Rose Fulbright has a great practice based out of Singapore and other offices in Asia. They are supported by other teams from around the world in their firm, including Islamic finance, hedging/derivatives, tax and corporate so they can advise on everything on a transaction, good one-stop shop. I think that makes them stand out against other Asia practices which may not be able to manage some of the more complex stuff in so much depth. You would therefore go to NRF for bigger more complicated deals where you need specialist advice, and you’ll get a good service.’
‘Keith Sandilands is hugely experienced - there are probably very few scenarios in which he does not have some direct or related experience, so he is an absolute wealth of knowledge (and where he needs there is the wider practice to call on). He keeps a keen eye on the commercial drivers and focuses on what's important, so we meet deadlines and get things done. Keith is now supported by two very good associates - Ed Bentley and Royce Lee. Ed in particular is really professional, very smart, hardworking and careful, you can trust him to get all the details through accurately and diligently which takes the burden off in-house counsel.
'Ben Rose would be your go-to guy in Asia Pac for offshore oil and gas deals, supported by Rob Driver (in London) and Sophie Polisena. His drafting and legal advice and knowledge are very impressive and of course, he knows the industry and the commercial issues facing it inside out. Sophie Polisena is excellent, smart, and detailed, plus very diligent and hard-working. You can entirely trust her to handle your matter from start to finish. The firm also has Singapore shipping capability with Sue Ann Gan which is a good support for maritime advice.’
‘NRF is one of the leading maritime law firms, with a strong presence across different jurisdictions. They are able to provide diversified legal support.’
‘We have worked with Ben Rose and Gan Sue Ann for many years, and we appreciate their agile thinking and suggestions on how to manage the discussion with borrowers.’

Key clients

Singapore Airlines
Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW)
Carlyle Aviation Partners
PT Pelita Air Service
Philippine Airlines
Pembroke Capital Limited
Standard Chartered Bank
Malaysian Airlines Berhad
TATA – SIA Airlines Limited
Natixis

Work highlights

Advising Pembroke Capital Limited on the sale and leaseback of four Boeing 737 Max 8 and one Boeing 737 Max 8-200 aircraft with Akasa Air.
Assisting PAL with the negotiation of its purchase order with Airbus for the purchase of nine A350-1000s.
Assisting PAL with the negotiation of its Product Agreement and Total Care Agreement with their Rolls Royce Trent XWB-97 engines that will power PAL’s new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.