Dealmakers

Uruguay: exclusively renewable

The Paris office of global law firm Norton Rose has advised Polesine, a subsidiary of French company Akuo Energy, on the $88.5m financing granted by development finance institution Proparco (also acting as arranger), Dutch development bank FMO and German development finance bank DEG for the construction and operation of a wind farm located in San Gabriel, Uruguay.
Akuo Energy produces electricity generated exclusively from renewable energy sources. It develops finances, builds and operates a portfolio of power plants. The group currently operates in 13 geographical areas and employs more than 100 staff.
Paris Norton Rose partner Anne Lapierre and of counsel Véronique Bruel led the team advising Akuo Energy. Hughes & Hughes provided assistance in Uruguay, while magic circle firm Clifford Chance advised the lenders and Ferrere Abogados advised on Uruguayan law aspects.

Austria: measured expansion

UK calibration and measurement specialist Trescal has been advised by Austrian law firm Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati on the acquisition of the Austrian company ISOCAL Elektronische Geräte.
In a statement the firm said the acquisition strengthens Trescal's technical portfolio and at the same time expands its geographic reach.
Trescal is represented in sixteen countries and provides advice on all matters concerning calibration technology to more than 20,000 customers worldwide in the automotive, engineering, aeronautics, aerospace, electronic manufacturing and communications sectors.
CHSH lawyer Bernhard Wychera advised the company on the Austrian legal aspects of the transaction. Tobias Böckmann at Hogan Lovells in Düsseldorf acted as International Counsel for Trescal.

UK: sounds good

New York-based law firm White & Case and London’s SJ Berwin have taken top billing on a deal which will see Sony acquire a stake in the Now That's What I Call Music! compilation business from Universal Music Group.
The value of the deal has remained undisclosed, reports Legal Week, but since launching in 1983 the series has generated sales of more than 200 million albums worldwide, including more than 84 million copies in the UK.
Universal will sell off EMI Recorded Music's European rights in the Now business, however it will retain pre-existing rights to the compilation series in Europe, as well as acquiring EMI Recorded Music's rights outside of Europe.
White & Case’s London team advising Sony was led by M&A partner Gavin Weir, while SJ Berwin advised Universal with a team led by corporate partners William Holder and Mark Sanders.

Hong Kong: container deal

Hong Kong-headquartered law firm King & Wood Mallesons has advised Goodman Hong Kong Logistics Fund (GHKLF) on its co-ownership agreement with leading Dubai-based container terminal operator DP World.
ALB Online reports that the deal will see GHKLF acquire a 25 per cent ownership stake – or the equivalent of $450 million – in the ATL Logistics Centre Hong Kong, as well as CSX World Terminals Hong Kong.
The firm also advised on a related $300m capital raising from GHKLF’s investors.
KWM partner Hayden Flinn led the team advising on the transaction, which is expected to close within three months.

Asia: leading adviser

Global law firm Norton Rose has advised Shun Tak Holdings Limited on the establishment of a $1 billion Guaranteed Medium Term Note Program and the initial issuance of $400 million 5.70 per cent Guaranteed Notes due 2020 under the Programme.
Shun Tak – which was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1973 - is principally engaged in the property, transportation, hospitality and investment businesses in Hong Kong and Macau.
Ji Liu, partner in Hong Kong, commented: ‘This transaction, along with our recent representation of the Republic of Indonesia and Sunac China Holdings Limited in connection with their bond issuances, reinforced our position in debt capital markets in Asia.’
The dealers for the transaction were HSBC and Crédit Agricole.