Projects & Energy: Power
Global Guide 2024 : Africa-wide
Band 1
Contact number
(020) 7330 3000Chambers Review
This is a renowned team with a strong project finance practice, frequently advising major regional and international development finance institutions (DFIs) and banks on syndicated finance transactions in Africa. The team is notably active on the financing of mining and oil and gas projects, with extensive project development experience, including the negotiation of EPC contracts. A formidable presence in power projects with considerable experience acting for lenders, sponsors and developers, the firm holds additional expertise in infrastructure, wind, hydro and thermal. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.
Work Highlights
- The firm advised Africa Finance Corporation on the financing aspects of the Kasomeno Mwenda toll road initiative between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are very proactive in anticipating issues, evaluating the risk chain and providing the right legal and commercial advice."
"They provide a really strong service and are really knowledgeable about difficult topics."
"We bring them in on large-scale, very complex deals. Service-wise they are a top-notch law firm."
"They certainly have their finger on the pulse and are at the forefront of commercial knowledge."
"They are very proactive in anticipating issues, evaluating the risk chain and providing the right legal and commercial advice."
"They provide a really strong service and are really knowledgeable about difficult topics."
"We bring them in on large-scale, very complex deals. Service-wise they are a top-notch law firm."
"They certainly have their finger on the pulse and are at the forefront of commercial knowledge."
Notable Practitioners
Head of the firm's Africa group, London-based Tim Scales is highly regarded for his project finance expertise. He is respected for his activity on DFI and export credit agency-backed financings, with a wealth of pan-African experience across the power, oil and gas, and infrastructure sectors.
"He is very 'present' and able to assist in driving negotiations forward. He helps us find a legally sound option which is also an outcome that protects our interests."
"Tim has decades-long experience and is a very good, very strong lawyer. He is very valuable in being able to highlight previous precedents that support our argument."
Lachlan Poustie is based in Paris, from where he regularly advises on the finance aspects of significant energy and mining projects located in francophone Africa. He is also experienced at providing guidance on gas supply agreements and investments relating to the construction of manufacturing facilities.
"Lachlan is highly experienced, fully available and very involved."