Clifford Chance is a regional ‘go-to’ for aviation matters across the Asia Pacific. Recent mandates include financings, restructurings, sales and leasebacks, JOLCO structured leasing transactions and sustainability-linked financings. It has garnered an impressive client list featuring major financial institutions, banks, and other investment groups. Practice head Fergus Evans ’takes a commercial and problem-solving approach to transactions‘, specialising in finance and leasing matters including tax-driven structures and export credit-backed transactions. Nattawat Vilasdechanon counts a number of Korean institutional investors as his clients and handles a steady flow of structured finance and aircraft leasing transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Year after year, Clifford Chance asset finance teams consistently deliver expert, practical and fast services.’

  • ‘Fergus Evans is the go-to partner for aviation finance transactions. Fergus is extremely knowledgeable, seemingly always available and prompt to find practical alternatives when negotiations hit a difficult point.'

  • 'Nattawat Vilasdechanon is a solid member. He is quick, analytical, and provides clear advice.’
  • ‘Fergus Evans is the one who always provided me efficient and accurate advice whenever I need any questions, doubts, or curiosity. Fergus can understand our concerns and sticking points fast and precisely and then let me know the pros & cons or consequences right away.’

  • ‘Clifford Chance is, in my opinion, the premier aviation financing law firm in the Asia Pacific region and globally. CC has the widest experience, in-depth know-how across most of the key Asian jurisdictions and has overall the most professional approach to the business. CC is the “go-to” law firm in this sector, particularly in representing the lender and lessor side of the transactions.'

  • ‘Fergus Evans is one of the finest aviation lawyers in Asia and globally. Fergus is one of those rare senior partners who makes himself personally available to his clients. Fergus is always fully engaged and committed and takes a commercial and problem-solving approach to transactions. Fergus always finds solutions to the issues that face us in transactions.'

Key clients

  • BNP Paribas
  • ANZ
  • Deutsche Bank
  • HSBC
  • Bank of America
  • Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB)
  • DBS
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)
  • Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Work highlights

  • Advised Citi, HSBC and Bank of America on the issuance of Singapore Airlines' benchmark US$500 million 3.00 per cent. notes due 2026 under Singapore Airlines' S$10 billion multi-currency medium term note programme.
  • Advised Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank on a JOLCO for Cathay Pacific Airways Limited with equity being provided Financial Products Group Co., Ltd. (FPG).
  • Advised international bank Natixis SA in connection with a bridge financing and an EXIM Bank financing for Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. for the purposes of refinancing Korean Air Lines' acquisition cost of two Boeing 737-MAX8.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Fergus Evans

Other key lawyers

Nattawat Vilasdechanon