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.

Eversheds Sutherland has a robust team involved in a broad scope of non-contentious mandates for clients from the insurance industry. The firm offers noted expertise in corporate mergers, acquisitions and bulk annuity transactions and provides additional strength in handling regulatory matters and distribution agreements. Its lawyers have further expertise in longevity swaps and Part VII transfers.

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 and issues regarding corporate restructuring.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer 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 de-risking 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.

Norton Rose Fulbright is sought-after for advice on general M&A activity as well as an array of work relating to life insurance. 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.

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 offer expertise in reinsurance transactions and pensions de-risking, including longevity swaps.

Pinsent Masons handles big-ticket matters, 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. 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.

DLA Piper has a respected non-contentious insurance practice, demonstrating regular involvement in a breadth of transactions, including M&A, buy-ins and portfolio transfer agreements. The team routinely advises a high-profile clientele on both domestic and international matters.