Banking & Finance: Borrowers: Mid-Market | UK

Ashurst has a well-established team of banking experts that assists both lenders and borrowers on a full range of mid-market financings. The team is also known for its work in the credit funds space as well as for its relationships with leading sponsors. It works across the spectrum of leveraged finance deals, with established expertise in unitranche structures and term loan B facilities. The team additionally offers notable expertise in fund finance as well as Islamic finance matters.

Macfarlanes has notable strengths in handling complex and bespoke mid-market deals for lenders, sponsors and their portfolio companies as well as corporate borrowers. The practice spans the full scope of financing matters from corporate to leveraged and fund finance, complementing its offering with real estate and litigation finance as well as regulatory and restructuring expertise. Macfarlanes is equipped to advise on domestic and cross-border matters, with additional experience advising on the English law aspects of high-yield bonds. The team have also established a strong foothold in the credit fund space.

Norton Rose Fulbright is noted for its lender-side practice, which covers a diverse scope of financing work for a multitude of domestic commercial banks, including corporate loans and project and trade finance, as well as asset-based loans. In addition to its panel relationships with major financial institutions, the group advises a wide variety of corporate borrowers. The team is also well positioned to advise on Sharia-compliant structures and has recently further increased its Islamic finance offering. The law firm works across a range of sectors including oil and gas, transport and technology and offers an impressive global reach on cross-border deals, where it also advises international banks.

Travers Smith has a deep pool of specialist finance advisors who work with sponsors, lenders and corporate borrowers on mid-market matters. The team has specialist knowledge in the area of fund finance, corporate loans and leveraged acquisition finance. It demonstrates broad sector expertise, continuing to advise on deals in the media, leisure and technology industries, in addition to the retail and infrastructure sectors, among others. The firm handles matters for an impressive client list that includes several high-profile private equity houses and international financial institutions.

Baker McKenzie is an ideal option for clients seeking advice on complex multi-jurisdictional matters including leveraged acquisitions, syndicated lending and project finance transactions. The team attracts an increasing number of instructions from alternative lenders, in addition to its presence on UK bank panels. It specialises in emerging market matters with a growing focus on sub-Saharan African and Turkish markets. The law firm has an impressive portfolio of clients, which also includes leading international corporate borrowers.

BCLP retains a number of UK clearing bank panel positions, while also assisting high-profile corporates. The team draws on strengths in a broad range of sectors including healthcare, leisure and gaming, and insurance, to assist clients with a full range of banking matters. Its global network of offices makes it a popular choice for complex multi-jurisdictional financings, on which it also assists overseas banks with mid-cap transactions.

CMS is equally at home advising UK clearing banks, alternative lenders and borrower clients on transactions ranging from acquisition finance to debt portfolio acquisitions. It has a developed reputation for acting on cross-border deals with sector expertise in hotels and leisure, oil and gas, and healthcare. The team is additionally noted for its TMT expertise. The firm's prowess in real estate finance and financial restructuring complements the banking and finance practice.

DLA Piper has a strong foundation acting for lender-side clients in the acquisition finance space. It handles the full spectrum of financial instruments, assisting traditional and alternative lenders as well as mixed lender groups. The firm also demonstrates strength advising international corporates and private equity clients on complex transactions, drawing on the firm's extensive global network to advise on cross-border deals. The team frequently advises on finance matters in the technology, telecommunications, and oil and gas sectors.

Hogan Lovells has a sought-after banking and finance practice that is able to advise a broad array of clients on both the lender and borrower side. The team receives enviable instructions from traditional banks and debt funds as well as corporate entities. The firm's global footprint enables the team to advise on deals with cross-border elements. It offers specialist advice in the insurance sector, as well as expertise in real estate, asset and project finance.

Pinsent Masons is an established player in the mid-market banking space, providing comprehensive advice on real estate finance, acquisition finance and asset-based loans, among other matters. The team attracts a number of cross-border assignments, as well as advising on domestic matters across the professional services, entertainment and healthcare sectors. Pinsent Masons offers expertise across both secured and unsecured transactions. The department continues to advise major UK clearing banks while also being able to act for alternative lenders and its roster of borrower-side clients.