Corporate Finance: Borrowers: Mid-Market | Europe

Ashurst has a well-established team of banking experts who advise both lenders and borrowers across the full spectrum of financings. The firm has positioned itself as a go-to choice for both mid-market and big-ticket transactions, with particular strength in cash confirmation law. The team works across a wide range of industries, with notable experience in manufacturing, infrastructure, financial services, and technology. The group also offers strong expertise in leveraged finance, private credit, fund finance, and Islamic finance.

Norton Rose Fulbright is known for its strong lender-side practice, handling a wide range of financing work for numerous domestic commercial banks, including corporate loans, project and trade finance, and asset-based lending. Alongside its panel relationships with major financial institutions, the firm advises a broad variety of corporate borrowers. Operating across sectors such as oil and gas, transport, and technology, Norton Rose Fulbright offers impressive global reach on cross-border deals, often in emerging markets. The team has additional expertise assisting with Sharia-compliant financing structures.

BCLP retains a number of UK clearing bank clients, 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, renewable energy, traditional 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 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.

Simmons & Simmons has a standout practice advising on both domestic and cross-border transactions. The team represents a strong roster of clients, including traditional bank lenders and corporate borrowers. It has notable experience with deals in the Nordic region and, in recent years, has become a go-to adviser for data centre-related infrastructure financings.

Taylor Wessing is recognised for its capabilities in acquisition finance. The team acts for borrower-side clients across a diverse array of sectors. It has particular expertise advising those in the technology sphere. The firm is active on cross-border transactions and frequently engaged for refinancing mandates, while offering niche expertise in matters involving litigation funding.