Insurance: Non-contentious | UK

Clifford Chance has a first-rate non-contentious insurance practice, servicing a diverse and high-calibre client base that includes insurers and reinsurers as well as investment firms, banks and brokers. The firm handles big-ticket M&A, in addition to regulatory and governance matters, with substantial international reach owing to its global network of offices. Its lawyers also handle business restructuring and capital raising within the insurance market, and have notable expertise in matters relating to insurance-linked securities.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher has strong Lloyd's market expertise, as well as experience handling more niche transactions in the reinsurance market, including longevity reinsurance. It advises leading insurance companies on complex transactional matters, including M&A, Part VII transfers and capital raising, with additional expertise in the structuring of insurance-linked securities. The firm demonstrates a ready command of both UK and US insurance markets, as well as matters governed by Bermudian law.

CMS has a highly respected team with expertise in a wide spectrum of non-contentious insurance work, including M&A, pensions de-risking and regulatory matters. The firm has a noted presence in the market for its longevity insurance and reinsurance transactional work. The team provides strategic advice on a range of issues, including Solvency II. It has an impressive client base that includes international insurers, reinsurers and brokers.

Freshfields is well regarded for its track record of advising global insurers and reinsurers on big-ticket M&A deals. The firm is also active on a range of other transactions, including restructurings and reinsurance transactions, with additional expertise acting on pension buy-ins. The team has further experience advising on regulatory concerns including Solvency II compliance and issues regarding corporate restructuring.

Herbert Smith Freehills has a well-respected team with considerable expertise in corporate and restructuring transactions, including Solvency II and Part VII transfers. The firm is also capable of handling major longevity, pensions derisking and reinsurance transactions for a diverse range of clients, particularly those from the life sector. Its lawyers offer considerable cross-border capabilities, particularly in matters concerning US and Canadian clients.

Hogan Lovells offers a comprehensive service to the insurance industry, tackling everything from complex M&A deals through to reinsurance transactions, longevity risk transfers and regulatory advice. The team also provides strong experience in the area of Part VII transfers, and is highly experienced in advising on cross-border and international work. Its lawyers are frequently instructed by market-leading insurers and reinsurers, as well as brokers and financial institutions.

Norton Rose Fulbright is considered a sought-after adviser for Lloyd's M&A transactions as well as undertaking an array of life insurance work. The firm maintains an additional focus on regulatory matters, including considerable strength in the insurtech space. The team provides high-level strategic advice to major insurers on issues surrounding corporate restructuring, the establishment of new syndicates and Solvency II requirements. Its lawyers regularly handle complex deals of a cross-border nature.

Slaughter and May is sought out by major life and non-life insurers for representation in complex M&A work, capital markets transactions and insurance business transfer schemes. The firm is also highly adept at advising on pensions de-risking, as well as regulatory matters, including the implementation of the Solvency II Directive. The team has significant expertise in handling cross-border transactions, with notable strength in Asian markets.

A&O Shearman is known for its high-quality advice on a broad array of non-contentious matters, including M&A, capital raising, reinsurance and longevity transactions. Its clients include insurers, financial institutions and insurance regulators. The firm is also skilled in handling sophisticated regulatory work, including Solvency II matters.

Debevoise & Plimpton has a robust team advising on a wide range of transactional and regulatory matters for newly-formed and established insurers and reinsurers. The team's expertise ranges from Solvency II issues and licensing matters for startups to complex cross-border M&A transactions. The firm is noted for its strength in providing UK regulatory advice and transactional support to international clients, particularly in the USA. Its lawyers are also able to advise private equity funds and other investors on insurance-related investments.

Linklaters has a respected non-contentious insurance practice which demonstrates strong corporate and financial expertise. The firm offers a full range of regulatory advice in addition to facilitating major transactions, including M&A, portfolio transfers and distribution agreements. The team regularly handles complex domestic and cross-border work for major insurers. Its lawyers also offers expertise in reinsurance transactions and pensions de-risking, including longevity swaps.

Pinsent Masons handles big-ticket matters in both the life and non-life insurance markets, including major M&A deals. The firm also demonstrates strong expertise in bulk annuity transactions and Part VII transfers. The team advises an impressive roster of clients including domestic and international insurers and reinsurers. Its lawyers are known for advising insurance companies on sophisticated insurance distribution projects.

RPC is experienced across a broad range of non-contentious insurance mandates, including compliance and regulatory matters, as well as complex transactional work, outsourcing and business agreements. The firm has a strong capability in handling Part VII transfers, often in the context of substantial restructuring exercises, and also demonstrates considerable strength in insurance insolvency matters. It advises a broad client base, including insurers, reinsurers, brokers and Lloyd's syndicates, with notable expertise in matters involving both UK and US private equity funds.

Sidley Austin is known for its expertise in areas such as insurance-linked securities, reinsurance transactions and longevity swaps. The team advises a diverse range of clients, including insurers, reinsurers and Lloyd's syndicates, as well as financial institutions and government authorities. It also provides key regulatory advice in respect of Solvency II requirements, the creation of new Lloyd's syndicates and company restructuring. The firm is able to leverage its outstanding US practice to advise on substantial transatlantic deals.

Skadden is a respected non-contentious practice highlighted for its expertise in high-profile and high-value M&A deals. The firm represents a diverse range of parties from insurance companies and underwriters to sellers, target companies and investment banking firms. The team also handles a range of regulatory work, as well as advising on financing and securities arrangements with the insurance market. Its lawyers handle transactional matters for both domestic and international insurer clients.

Clyde & Co's non-contentious insurance group offers global capabilities and can claim a client roster that includes many leading insurers and reinsurers. The firm has considerable experience in handling Lloyd's matters, including setting up new syndicates. The team also handles complex insurance transactions, as well as providing regulatory and strategic advice. Its lawyers have notable expertise advising international clients on entry to the UK market.

HFW delivers regulatory and transactional advice to insurers, reinsurers, brokers and other industry clients. The team regularly handles Lloyd's market work and is known for its advice on cross-border matters. Its lawyers assist clients with M&A, corporate restructuring and Part VII transfers, along with complex reinsurance transactions. The firm has further expertise in the insurtech space, advising both established companies and startups on regulatory authorisation for new product development and distribution.