Simmons & Simmons acted as English and United States legal adviser to CLSA Limited in its role as global coordinator, lead manager and book-runner in international offerings of convertible bonds by Essar Oil Limited and Essar Shipping Limited, and of global depositary receipts by Essar Projects Limited. The three transactions raised a total of approximately $389 million. Partner David Neuville and associates Steve Kim, Simon Phillips and Peter Kwon led the offerings. “These transactions involved a novel and challenging coordination of the Indian domestic corporate debt restructuring and international capital markets financing processes,” Neuville said.

Simmons & Simmons also acted for ABN AMRO Rothschild as the global coordinator, book-runner and lead manager on the listing of Dynasty Fine Wines Group Limited on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The listing, an international offering of 345 million shares (following exercise in full of the over-allotment option), raised approximately $129 million at the maximum offer price. The retail offering was 625 times oversubscribed and the share price increased 38.8 per cent on the first day of trading, the best performing first day trading for a new issue since the start of 2004. Partner Nick Norris, US securities law partner David Neuville and consultant Joseph Lee led the deal, assisted by corporate associates Steve Kim, Vivi Chow and Winnie Suen.