Banking & Finance: Debt Capital Markets

Zul Rafique & Partners has a standout banking group in Malaysia that provides expert legal advice on all aspects of conventional, Islamic and debt-related financial transactions. The firm is especially skilled in complex debt restructuring, revolving credit facilities, acquisition finance and project finance. The team is well known for its handling of DCM deals, especially sukuk. The firm acts for prominent Malaysian and international borrowers and lenders, advising on deals in a range of sectors including real estate and infrastructure. Clients include Maybank Group, Affin Group and CIMB Bank Group.

"Zul Rafique's team handled incredibly complicated matters extremely well, fitting in with the other jurisdictions seamlessly and taking a commercial view with their advice."

Zul Rafique & Partners acted for AmInvestment Bank and Maybank Investment Bank as joint lead arrangers in establishing a subordinated Islamic note programme of up to MYR1 billion based on the principle of perpetual sukuk wakala, issued by Yinson Holdings.

Loh Mei Mei is a leading banking partner in Kuala Lumpur who frequently acts on high-value and cross-border MTN programmes and term loan facilities, including conventional and Islamic finance. "She possesses a high level of competency in knowledge and skills, and I have found her legal advice to be sound, out of the box and very easy to comprehend. Mei Mei is very approachable and she ensures that our needs are attended to promptly." "Her deep knowledge in the banking services industry enables her to provide her clients with holistic advisory services, balancing between legal and commercial considerations. A well-trusted partner who a client can fully rely on and depend on for legal advice."

Celine Rangithan climbs the rankings on the basis of her busy and well-received practice assisting leading banks, as well as borrowers, with a particular focus on DCM in Malaysia. She frequently advises on murabaha structures and conventional financing, including in the projects space. "Celine is a highly commendable legal counsel with efficient turnaround time of deliverables while maintaining top-notch quality and patience in carving out time to explain things to clients, especially on complex legal matters arising from a transaction."

Ashela Ramaya is a partner in Kuala Lumpur with a strong practice advising financial institutions on sukuk, loan facilities and refinancing. She is adept at handling cross-border transactions for Malaysian and international banks. "Ashela is a very competent and reliable legal counsel. She goes out of her way to anticipate the client's needs and fulfil them to the best of her ability. She is also very approachable and easily reachable for consultation and discussion."

Kung Suan Im is a partner at Zul Rafique & Partners who has a robust practice advising on acquisition financing and sukuk, among other finance matters. She advises both Malaysian and international banks.

Chan Kwan Hoe is a partner at Zul Rafique & Partners. He is well reputed in Malaysia's banking and finance legal market, acting for foreign and local financial institutions. He has expertise in MTN programmes, including sukuk, and advises on deals in such sectors as real estate. "Throughout the transaction, Kwan Hoe has demonstrated a high level of competence in terms of knowledge and skills, as well as the ability to manage the various transaction parties. He has provided sound legal advice with a quick turnaround time."