About
Watson Farley & Williams is a leading international law firm advising clients operating in the energy, infrastructure and transport sectors. With a network of offices spanning Asia, Europe and the USA, we bring together technical excellence and deep industry knowledge to deliver unparalleled advice on complex transactions and disputes.
In all our core sectors, we provide integrated and commercially focussed advice across a broad range of capital markets, corporate, finance, dispute resolution, employment, real estate, regulatory and tax matters.
- Senior Partner: George Paleokrassas
- Managing Partner: Lindsey Keeble
- Energy (Mining; Oil and Gas; Power and Renewables; and Commodities and International Trade) key contacts: Henry Stewart; María Pilar García Guijarro; and Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi
- Infrastructure (Airports; Digital and E-Infrastructure; Ports and Terminals; Roads, Bridges and Tunnels; and Social Infrastructure) key contacts: Florian Kutzbach and José María Anarte
- Transport (Aviation and Aerospace; Maritime; and Rail) key contacts: Jim Bell and George Macheras
We leverage the wealth of experience across our global network to support industry players across the whole mining life cycle, including in the emerging sectors of seabed and space mining, as well as investor-state dispute settlement.
We are the go-to advisors for all mining participants from owners/licensees, developers and sponsors to financiers, contractors and governments. Operating globally and in areas beyond national jurisdiction enables us to advise on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters in all the major mineral-producing areas of the world, from Africa and Australasia to Asia and the Americas.
We have over 30 years’ direct industry experience advising clients across the whole of the oil and gas value chain, covering upstream, midstream and downstream. We also have in-depth knowledge of new fuels and gases such as LNG, hydrogen, ammonia and SAF to help support the industry’s energy transition.
Clients include exploration, development and production companies, traders, offshore services, storage and distribution companies, refinery developers and operators, funds and investors, banks and governments.
With an international offering of sector specialist lawyers, we are the natural choice for clients across the power and renewables space. We have long been at the forefront of new technology and developments in the industry and have a successful track record advising on all aspects of the value chain and life cycle of projects from conventional power to renewables such as onshore and offshore wind, solar, biomass, and waste to energy.
By leveraging our regulatory, transactional, ESG and dispute resolution experience, we offer an unrivalled full service in sector to clients including developers, investors, sponsors, financiers, contractors and both governments and government entities.
We offer a comprehensive sector offering covering disputes, structured trade finance, sanctions and regulatory, ESG, project development & finance, and corporate matters.
Our historical focus on the energy, infrastructure and maritime sectors, which each have strong synergies with commodities and international trade, give us a unique 360-degree perspective, allowing us to support our clients operating in these sectors across all key service lines.
Clients include major corporates, trading houses, mining majors, energy traders, banks, independent trade financiers, investment funds and agricultural and food companies.
With the global demand for infrastructure rapidly increasing, we support our clients on major projects around the world.
We act for a broad range of participants across transport-relevant infrastructures ranging from airports, ports and terminals, rail and roads, bridges and tunnels. We also work on energy-relevant projects ranging from transmission and storage, water and waste management and renewable energy assets, as well as social infrastructure to emerging sub-sectors such as smart and digital infrastructure.
Our multi-disciplinary team, based across our global network of offices, provides first-rate advice and guidance to all participants in the infrastructure sector.
Always abreast of trends within the aviation and aerospace sectors, we have over 40 years’ experience advising key industry stakeholders. These include aircraft and engine leasing companies, banks and financial institutions, funds and investors, export credit agencies, airlines, tour operators and manufacturers.
What propels our service beyond that of our competitors is our active involvement in making impactful changes to the industry at a global level. This includes being the principal advisors to the Aviation Working Group (AWG) and the prime choice for legal advice focussing on the decarbonisation of the industry, alternative fuels and emissions reduction.
With the largest dedicated maritime legal practice worldwide, we have been helping clients address the industry’s ups and downs for over 40 years.
Our unrivalled shipping experience attracts clients including shipowners, charterers, ship managers, P&I and FD&D insurers, investors, banks and financiers with substantial shipping portfolios. Areas of special expertise include maritime infrastructure, commercial shipping, container shipping and logistics, offshore oil & gas, cruise, commercial contracts, sanctions, disputes and regulatory, loan portfolios and restructuring.
We are at the forefront of the industry move towards decarbonisation, including having advised on the development of the Poseidon Principles to support the IMO’s goal to reduce shipping’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050.
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.