We are committed to maintaining our prominence in the asset finance market; consolidating our leading position in aviation finance at the same time as expanding our rail practice through continental Europe and extending our reach further in areas such as shipping, telecoms and film financing.

We have been acknowledged as a leading force in asset finance and aviation finance for a number of years. The 2008 edition of Chambers UK ranks us amongst its leading firms, describing us as "one of the most professional teams in the City in terms of asset finance and tax." We are also commended for ability "to establish a good rapport with clients, holding hands throughout a transaction and gaining their trust and confidence."

We are one of the market leaders for aviation work among law firms in China (including Hong Kong), France, Germany and London. We have extensive experience in all aspects of the aviation industry including aviation finance and regulation, and have a varied client base that includes airlines, lessors, arrangers, banks and manufacturers. The group is experienced in all types of aircraft finance transactions, including leveraged leases, tax-driven and off-balance-sheet structures, export credit-supported financing and capital markets.

We are particularly well known for representing airlines. Clients include AirAsia, Air Berlin, Air Deccan, China Eastern, Emirates, Garuda Indonesia, Iberia, Lufthansa, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Swiss and TAP Air Portugal. However, we are now also noted for representing:

  • the key banks participating in the sector (including ABN Amro, Calyon, DVB, KfW and RBS Aviation Capital);
  • operating lessors (including debis Airfinance, GE Capital Aviation Service and the International Lease Finance Corporation);
  • manufacturers, principally Airbus and Rolls-Royce; and
  • export credit agencies (including Export Credit Guarantee Department).

We have also developed a strong rail finance practice: our clients include Angel Trains (one of the three main UK lessors of rolling stock), Danish State Railways, Deutsche Bahn, EWS (the major UK freight operator which acquired the freight operations of British Rail on its privatisation), National Express and the Strategic Rail Authority.

In Germany, our asset finance team concentrates on the financing of high-value assets such as ships, power stations, waste incinerators, supply networks, sewage plants, printing machines, paper machines, films and satellites in addition to aircraft and rolling stock.

In Asia we have a broad-based practice, advising on the financing and leasing of large capital assets, other transportation-related company debt, and corporate restructurings. We are very active in the burgeoning low-cost carrier (LCCs) market and have acted on several of the first aircraft acquisition financings by LCCs in the region. In China we have acted on the public listings of airlines and are also particularly well known for advising on 'first-in-the-industry' structured and tax-based aircraft leasing and financing transactions.

For more information please contact Rafal Lojszczyk, business development manager, at rafal.lojszczyk@freshfields.com.

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Awards

Restructuring team of the year - International Financial Law Review: European Awards (2010)

Project finance deal of the year - International Financial Law Review: European Awards (2010)

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