Paris Smith LLP splits its banking and finance department across acquisition finance, property finance and project and asset finance teams. Acting for retail banking groups, house builders and developers on real estate finance-related work is a core pillar of the ‘very efficient’ group’s practice, as well as advising UK clearing and challenger banks on leveraged finance issues, debt facilities and working capital facilities. Practice head James McNeil is a key name for all aspects of acquisition, asset, project and property finance transactions. Jonathan Roy has a wealth of experience in M&A and private equity transactions and specialises in acquisition finance mandates.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Highly competent lawyers with an excellent profile in the Solent region.’

  • ‘James McNeil is an excellent corporate lawyer with first rate knowledge but also a high degree of commerciality allied to strong networking skills.’

  • ‘The banking team are very efficient and easy to deal with. The advice is always clear and helpful. ’

  • ‘James McNeil is very dependable and easy to work with. ’

Key clients

  • Interbay Funding Ltd
  • Hampshire Trust Bank plc
  • OakNorth Bank plc
  • Santander UK plc
  • Castle Trust Capital Plc
  • Hampshire Sport and Leisure Holdings Limited
  • Haskins Garden Centres Limited
  • Hilliers Nurseries Limited
  • Stelling Properties Limited and Unilife Limited
  • National Westminster Bank plc / The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

Work highlights

  • Advised Big Sur (High Street 31) Limited on its funding arrangements with Investec Bank PLC.
  • Advised Castle Trust Capital plc on a £9m bespoke investment facility to enable a borrower to fund the refinance of its 131-bed purpose built student accommodation block situated in Nottingham.
  • Advised a OakNorth Bank plc on a £6.5m facility enabling a borrower to refinance its portfolio of commercial retail sites in Winchester.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

James McNeil

Other key lawyers

Jonathan Roy