Watson Farley & Williams
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7814 8000Share profile
About
Dedicated to client care, industry focus and investment in our people
We are a sector specialist international law firm in the Energy, Infrastructure and Transport sectors advising on complex transactions and disputes through local knowledge and an integrated international network.
Our business exists to help our clients achieve their goals, partnering with them to meet the challenges they face today and will face tomorrow.
Our values rest on developing deep and long-lasting relationships externally and internally through respect, sharing, communication and integrity.
We strive for excellence in all that we do and view investment in our people as key to achieving our business goals and values.
Our teams are integrated across legal disciplines and offices delivering consistently high levels of service locally and in combination across borders.
History
Sector focus has been at the heart of our strategy since we opened for business in 1982. Having started life as an asset finance boutique focussing on the maritime and aviation industries, our transport focus quickly expanded to other supply-chain led industries, most notably, renewable and conventional energy and infrastructure across these industries.
Through our offices around the world, we provide a full suite of services within our core sectors enabling us to deliver exceptional value to our clients.
Facts
- Founded 1982
- 200+ partners
- 700+ lawyers
- 19 offices
Senior Partner
George Paleokrassas
Managing Partner
Lindsey Keeble
Key Contacts
Aviation: Jim Bell, Charles Viggers
Energy: Malte Jordan, Henry Stewart
Infrastructure: Florian Kutzbach, Jose Maria Anarte
Maritime: George Macheras
Mining & Commodities: Sumeet Malhotra, Jan Mellmann
Oil & Gas: Chris Kilburn
Ranked Offices
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
- London15 Appold Street, London, Greater London, UK, EC2A 2HB
- Web: www.wfw.com
- Tel: (020) 7814 8000
- Fax: (020) 7814 8141/8142
- View ranked office
- Hong KongSuites 4610-4619, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaView ranked office
- PiraeusAkti Miaouli 89 & Mavrokordatou 4, 2nd Floor, Piraeus, Attiki, Greece, GR-185 38View ranked office
- TokyoTokiwabashi Tower 9F 2-6-4 Otemachi Chiyoda-ku , Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo 100-0004View ranked office
- Singapore88 Market Street | #31-05, CapitaSpring, Singapore, Singapore Island, Singapore, 048948View ranked office
- SeoulSuite 13, 15th Floor, Kyobo Building, 1 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03154 , Seoul, Seoul, South Korea, 03154View ranked office
- BangkokUnit 902, 9th Floor, GPF Witthayu Tower B, 93/1 Wireless Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand, 10330View ranked office
- DubaiOffice 1702, Level 17 Index Tower West Entrance Dubai Inernational Financial Centre PO Box 506896, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesView ranked office
- Hoan Kiem District4th Floor, Asia Tower, 6 Nha Tho, Hang Trong ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi, VietnamView ranked office
Watson Farley & Williams rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
65 items provided by Watson Farley & Williams
WFW advises Nordea on Euronav US$713m loan facility
The first drawdown refinanced indebtedness in relation to nine VLCCs and three Suezmaxes and security included Belgian, Greek and French mortgages over these ships.
WFW advises Nordea on Euronav US$713m loan facility
The first drawdown refinanced indebtedness in relation to nine VLCCs and three Suezmaxes and security included Belgian, Greek and French mortgages over these ships.
France's rail passenger transport services: liberalisation on its way?
Four consortia have expressed their interest in the liberalisation of rail passenger transport in response to one of the first calls for tender. This article explores the opportunities being presented and the challenges faced by those in France’s rail industry.
France's rail passenger transport services: liberalisation on its way?
Four consortia have expressed their interest in the liberalisation of rail passenger transport in response to one of the first calls for tender. This article explores the opportunities being presented and the challenges faced by those in France’s rail industry.
WFW Secures Important Agency Disputes Win for BCP
The long-running case was eventually decided in BCP’s favour after almost five years. The Supreme Court's judgment has established a legally sound and commercially viable precedent for petroleum industry participants.
WFW advises Storengy on acquisition of geoENERGIE Konzept
In Europe, Storengy is the market leader for storage services and plans, builds, operates and sells natural gas underground storage facilities.
WFW advises on industry-changing AWG carbon calculator
Using original equipment manufacturer source data provided by Airbus, ATR, Boeing and Embraer, the ACC will generate and compare carbon dioxide emissions data for aircraft and aircraft portfolios.
WFW advises BW Offshore on its acquisition of Ideol
BW Offshore is a leading provider of floating production services to the oil and gas industry listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
WFW advises Coro Energy on acquisition of renewable energy developer GEPL
The acquisition provides a portfolio of operated renewable energy opportunities in South East Asia totalling 4 GW, initially focusing on two high graded opportunities in the Philippines.
WFW advises Ryanair on appeals on territorial continuity against Italy’s MIT
The first Italian court decision on the legitimacy of the imposition of public service obligations on the air traffic sector under Regulation (EU) No 1008/2008 is expected in May 2021.
WFW advises Star Bulk on acquisition of seven vessels from Scorpio Bulkers
This continues the cooperation between WFW and Star Bulk, previously advising them in 2018 on the acquisition of multiple vessels from both Augustea and E.R. Schiffarts and the 2019 acquisitions from Delphin.
WFW advises BEE on the acquisition of stake in Greencells’ Dutch solar portfolio
Greencells has acquired shares in several Dutch SPV energy companies, with a combined c. 79 MW solar portfolio under development in the Dutch provinces of Overijssel and Limburg.
WFW advises Lightsource bp on disposal of UK Camden solar PV portfolio to NESF
The Camden solar PV portfolio comprises the 50 MW Grange project in Newark, Nottinghamshire, and the 50 MW South Lowfield project in Fleetham, North Yorkshire.
WFW expands Hotels & Hospitality practice into Asia Pacific
A new team of four senior lawyers, who will be based in Singapore and Sydney and led by Partner Robert Williams, arrive at the firm to expand its hotels and hospitality practice in the Asia-Pacific region.
WFW advises TORM on purchase of eight MR product tankers from TEAM Tankers
The market value of the acquired vessels is assessed at US$148m. They will be financed by increasing TORM’s existing syndicated loan facility with a new revolving facility and new term facility.
WFW advises BPER Banca on €15.5m Italian hospital technology hub project financing
The financing concerns a loan granted to S.EN.AL.PA. for the construction of new technology hubs at the Camposampiero and Cittadella hospitals in Padua, Veneto, Italy.
WFW advises CIP on 487 MW Monegros wind portfolio stake sale
The portfolio comprises 12 wind farms located in Aragon, North-Eastern Spain and is part of CIP’s €3.5bn Copenhagen Infrastructure III K/S (CI-III) energy infrastructure fund.
WFW advises Blue Elephant on acquisition of large Greek solar parks
This transaction marks Blue Elephant’s entry into the Greek renewable energy market, and includes the largest operational solar park in Greece, with an overall capacity of 38 MWp.
WFW advises Denker & Wulf on acquisition of WEB Andresen
The acquisition expands Denker & Wulf’s onshore wind portfolio into Germany’s North Friesland, taking control of planning and operational management services to WEB Andresen’s 30 community wind farms and five substations.
WFW advises Noy Fund and Nofar on investment agreement with Sunprime
The agreement will lead to the joint development, alongside medium-to-small local construction businesses, of solar pipelines in Italy with a combined installed capacity of up to 100 MW.
Aviation case gives insight into treatment of jurisdiction clauses after Brexit
This article gives insight into post-Brexit English court jurisdiction clauses in light of the outcome of the Etihad Airways PJSC v Flöther case.
WFW advises Macquarie Bank on first of its kind shipping loan/lease securitisation for Fleetscape
Securitisation principles and certain structuring efficiencies were utilised to enable Fleetscape to offer sale-and-leaseback or unitranche financing on highly competitive terms.
Scope 3 emissions: how the freight industry will transition to net zero
Collaboration across the entire value chain is required to achieve a reduction in Scope 3 emissions and this is resulting in action from market participants on a scale not previously seen.
WFW advises NORD/LB on bridge financing of Polish wind project portfolio
The portfolio, being developed and built by Danish developer European Energy, consists of five wind farms located in Poland with a total capacity of 44.675 MW.
Sea Cargo Charter: the next piece in the decarbonisation puzzle
The Sea Cargo Charter is a framework established by a group of bulk cargo owners to improve, among other things, shipping’s carbon footprint.
WFW advises Banco BPM on €28m facility to Grimaldi Euromed
The new unit “Grande Texas” was delivered on 26 January 2021 and is the sixth of seven car carriers ordered by Grimaldi Euromed from the Yangfan shipyard in Zhoushan, China.
English court rejects Covid-19 frustration argument in aircraft leasing case
This article examines the recent Commercial Court comments that an airline operator’s aircraft leases were not frustrated by the effects of Covid-19.
Nasdaq: Proposed Board Diversity Rules
This article explores Nasdaq’s recent proposal to adopt new listing rules, requiring all companies listed on its U.S. exchange to publicly disclose diversity statistics regarding their board of directors.
WFW advises TRIG and InfraRed on acquisition of stake in 588 MW Beatrice wind farm
The wind farm has a total installed capacity of 588 MW. This investment is TRIG’s third in a UK offshore wind farm and represents circa 12% of its overall investment portfolio.
WFW advises US maritime lender on US$56m senior loan facility for Seamax
Seamax operates a fleet of 12 modern, post-Panamax container ships and provides the world’s top shipping lines with over 1.2m deadweight tonnage in carrying capacity.
WFW advises Nordea on Euronav US$713m loan facility
The first drawdown refinanced indebtedness in relation to nine VLCCs and three Suezmaxes and security included Belgian, Greek and French mortgages over these ships.
WFW advises Nordea on Euronav US$713m loan facility
The first drawdown refinanced indebtedness in relation to nine VLCCs and three Suezmaxes and security included Belgian, Greek and French mortgages over these ships.
France's rail passenger transport services: liberalisation on its way?
Four consortia have expressed their interest in the liberalisation of rail passenger transport in response to one of the first calls for tender. This article explores the opportunities being presented and the challenges faced by those in France’s rail industry.
France's rail passenger transport services: liberalisation on its way?
Four consortia have expressed their interest in the liberalisation of rail passenger transport in response to one of the first calls for tender. This article explores the opportunities being presented and the challenges faced by those in France’s rail industry.
WFW Secures Important Agency Disputes Win for BCP
The long-running case was eventually decided in BCP’s favour after almost five years. The Supreme Court's judgment has established a legally sound and commercially viable precedent for petroleum industry participants.
WFW advises Storengy on acquisition of geoENERGIE Konzept
In Europe, Storengy is the market leader for storage services and plans, builds, operates and sells natural gas underground storage facilities.
WFW advises on industry-changing AWG carbon calculator
Using original equipment manufacturer source data provided by Airbus, ATR, Boeing and Embraer, the ACC will generate and compare carbon dioxide emissions data for aircraft and aircraft portfolios.
WFW advises BW Offshore on its acquisition of Ideol
BW Offshore is a leading provider of floating production services to the oil and gas industry listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
WFW advises Coro Energy on acquisition of renewable energy developer GEPL
The acquisition provides a portfolio of operated renewable energy opportunities in South East Asia totalling 4 GW, initially focusing on two high graded opportunities in the Philippines.
WFW advises Ryanair on appeals on territorial continuity against Italy’s MIT
The first Italian court decision on the legitimacy of the imposition of public service obligations on the air traffic sector under Regulation (EU) No 1008/2008 is expected in May 2021.
WFW advises Star Bulk on acquisition of seven vessels from Scorpio Bulkers
This continues the cooperation between WFW and Star Bulk, previously advising them in 2018 on the acquisition of multiple vessels from both Augustea and E.R. Schiffarts and the 2019 acquisitions from Delphin.
WFW advises BEE on the acquisition of stake in Greencells’ Dutch solar portfolio
Greencells has acquired shares in several Dutch SPV energy companies, with a combined c. 79 MW solar portfolio under development in the Dutch provinces of Overijssel and Limburg.
WFW advises Lightsource bp on disposal of UK Camden solar PV portfolio to NESF
The Camden solar PV portfolio comprises the 50 MW Grange project in Newark, Nottinghamshire, and the 50 MW South Lowfield project in Fleetham, North Yorkshire.
WFW expands Hotels & Hospitality practice into Asia Pacific
A new team of four senior lawyers, who will be based in Singapore and Sydney and led by Partner Robert Williams, arrive at the firm to expand its hotels and hospitality practice in the Asia-Pacific region.
WFW advises TORM on purchase of eight MR product tankers from TEAM Tankers
The market value of the acquired vessels is assessed at US$148m. They will be financed by increasing TORM’s existing syndicated loan facility with a new revolving facility and new term facility.
WFW advises BPER Banca on €15.5m Italian hospital technology hub project financing
The financing concerns a loan granted to S.EN.AL.PA. for the construction of new technology hubs at the Camposampiero and Cittadella hospitals in Padua, Veneto, Italy.
WFW advises CIP on 487 MW Monegros wind portfolio stake sale
The portfolio comprises 12 wind farms located in Aragon, North-Eastern Spain and is part of CIP’s €3.5bn Copenhagen Infrastructure III K/S (CI-III) energy infrastructure fund.
WFW advises Blue Elephant on acquisition of large Greek solar parks
This transaction marks Blue Elephant’s entry into the Greek renewable energy market, and includes the largest operational solar park in Greece, with an overall capacity of 38 MWp.
WFW advises Denker & Wulf on acquisition of WEB Andresen
The acquisition expands Denker & Wulf’s onshore wind portfolio into Germany’s North Friesland, taking control of planning and operational management services to WEB Andresen’s 30 community wind farms and five substations.
WFW advises Noy Fund and Nofar on investment agreement with Sunprime
The agreement will lead to the joint development, alongside medium-to-small local construction businesses, of solar pipelines in Italy with a combined installed capacity of up to 100 MW.
Aviation case gives insight into treatment of jurisdiction clauses after Brexit
This article gives insight into post-Brexit English court jurisdiction clauses in light of the outcome of the Etihad Airways PJSC v Flöther case.
WFW advises Macquarie Bank on first of its kind shipping loan/lease securitisation for Fleetscape
Securitisation principles and certain structuring efficiencies were utilised to enable Fleetscape to offer sale-and-leaseback or unitranche financing on highly competitive terms.
Scope 3 emissions: how the freight industry will transition to net zero
Collaboration across the entire value chain is required to achieve a reduction in Scope 3 emissions and this is resulting in action from market participants on a scale not previously seen.
WFW advises NORD/LB on bridge financing of Polish wind project portfolio
The portfolio, being developed and built by Danish developer European Energy, consists of five wind farms located in Poland with a total capacity of 44.675 MW.
Sea Cargo Charter: the next piece in the decarbonisation puzzle
The Sea Cargo Charter is a framework established by a group of bulk cargo owners to improve, among other things, shipping’s carbon footprint.
WFW advises Banco BPM on €28m facility to Grimaldi Euromed
The new unit “Grande Texas” was delivered on 26 January 2021 and is the sixth of seven car carriers ordered by Grimaldi Euromed from the Yangfan shipyard in Zhoushan, China.
English court rejects Covid-19 frustration argument in aircraft leasing case
This article examines the recent Commercial Court comments that an airline operator’s aircraft leases were not frustrated by the effects of Covid-19.
Nasdaq: Proposed Board Diversity Rules
This article explores Nasdaq’s recent proposal to adopt new listing rules, requiring all companies listed on its U.S. exchange to publicly disclose diversity statistics regarding their board of directors.
WFW advises TRIG and InfraRed on acquisition of stake in 588 MW Beatrice wind farm
The wind farm has a total installed capacity of 588 MW. This investment is TRIG’s third in a UK offshore wind farm and represents circa 12% of its overall investment portfolio.
WFW advises US maritime lender on US$56m senior loan facility for Seamax
Seamax operates a fleet of 12 modern, post-Panamax container ships and provides the world’s top shipping lines with over 1.2m deadweight tonnage in carrying capacity.