Investment Funds | Europe

A&L Goodbody assists international financial institutions with the establishment and authorisation of UCITS and non-UCITS funds, including QIAIFs and ETFs. The law firm earns praise for property funds expertise. The legal practice has secured regulatory approval for the establishment of novel products, including cannabis ETFs. A&L Goodbody assists with the approval process to allow fund managers to become authorised UCITS management companies or AIFMs. The law firm benefits from a key team based in London that advises UK-based asset managers on Irish funds matters.

Arthur Cox has a powerful practice boasting expertise in a wide range of matters. The law firm has a strong reputation for work on the establishment of ETFs, with further experience in standalone mandates in which ETFs seek to adopt an ICSD model for the settlement of transactions. Arthur Cox assists with the creation of funds that incorporate ESG provisions. The law firm has assisted global fund management services providers with specialised depositary activities authorisation. Arthur Cox frequently acts for US-based clients on Irish law matters.

Dillon Eustace is a renowned practice widely respected for its international focus and ability to handle cross-border matters. The investment funds team benefits from a close working relationship with the law firm's office in the Cayman Islands. The firm frequently advises asset managers on the establishment of fund vehicles in Ireland. Dillon Eustace attracts praise for work on the structuring and registration of UCITS and QIAIF funds. It has additional experience in the set-up of fund management companies and the negotiation of management agreements.

Maples earns praise for its advice to US or UK investment firms establishing Irish UCITS or AIF management companies, including those that require 'top-up' MiFID permissions. The law firm maintains a market-leading reputation for advice on the set-up and authorisation of alternative investment funds. Maples has specific experience in the structuring of LQIAIFs. The law firm's global fund registrations team affords promoters access to investors across Europe and other key markets. Maples is part of a global team that has local capabilities in markets such as the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg and the British Virgin Islands.

Matheson is an esteemed offering that regularly handles fund formation mandates and assists with the establishment and authorisation of fund management companies. The law firm earns praise for specific MiFID or investment management regulatory expertise. It assists with all corporate, commercial and regulatory matters arising for independent fund service providers expanding into the Irish market through global M&A transactions. Matheson advises on the launch of new sub-funds on UCITS platforms and assists with the transitioning of third-party managers away from the same. The law firm also handles standalone mandates relating to the drafting of fund services agreements, including within the context of the replacement of existing management companies.

Dechert benefits from a strong connection to the firm's significant international network, which enables the team to advise UK and US fund managers on the establishment of Irish-domiciled funds and on their registration and distribution across Europe and globally. The law firm assists with the establishment of local UCITS ManCos, AIFMs or MiFID firms, often for international firms restructuring activities out of the UK. It advises investment management firms on the change of funds service providers. Dechert also counts major third-party managers among key clients.

McCann FitzGerald is a prominent practice advising on a mix of funds matters. The law firm advises payment services or peer-to-peer lending companies on the process to become authorised by the Irish Central Bank and on commercial matters relating to their ongoing operations. Lawyers in the team advise on the establishment of fund management companies and handle related compliance mandates. McCann FitzGerald also assists with all issues relating to the launch of sub-funds on QIAIF or UCITS platforms, including the appointment of managers and other funds service providers.

William Fry acts for a number of top financial service providers and investment managers on a variety of funds structures and products. It has a dedicated global funds registrations team that assists clients seeking to sell funds across Europe and worldwide. William Fry advises on mergers of sub-funds as well as the launch of various product platforms, including EFT and QUIAIF platforms products for global asset management companies. The law firm also advises on regulatory licence applications to the Central Bank on behalf of UCITS management companies.

Mason Hayes & Curran handles applications for the authorisation of AIFMs and assists with the appointment or termination of asset managers or other fund service providers. It also acts on the establishment of funds and sub-funds that fall under the different regulatory regimes for UCITS and AIFs.

Walkers advises on the creation of UCITS umbrella funds and on subsequent launches of sub-funds, including for companies that host third-party managers. The law firm advises on the appointment of third-party management companies or the negotiation of depositary agreements. It further acts for international clients seeking to set up fund management companies in Ireland. The Dublin branch is well connected as part of the Walkers Global network.